Using a Shaving Mug

[onotoman]

Hi Guys,

I've just had an idea that I would try using a shaving mug. Seems like gents used these widely in the past but they seem to have gone out of fashion - I tend to use a wooden bowl of TOBS Lavender soap and lather directly onto my face from the soap bowl.

With regards the shaving mug, looking on Ebay, vintage ones seem to have one or more holes in the top but the few modern ones I've seen don't seem to have holes, any idea about the advantages/disadvantages of the holes?

Any info on the above and how to use a shaving mug, greatly appreciated.

Best wishes

Dave

 

[michiganlover]

The vintage mugs you refer to are Vintage Scuttles. They are basically useless in today's shaving world. They date to a time when hot water was not readily available at the facet.

Basically the soap puck sits on top of where the holes are (which allow it to drain, and stay dry). You fill the bottom portion with hot water, and place your brush down there to soak. You then move the scuttle to the shaving area (which in this time period could be any part of the house), shake your brush out, load the puck on the soap, and face lather.

This type of scuttle doesn't have the same purpose as a modern day scuttle (which is designed to keep the lather warm), and as such is a fairly useless decorative item.

If you want an iconic American shaving mug look for an Old Spice Mug, or a Seaforth Shaving Mug. Both of which came with their respective soaps.

However, both of these mugs are way to small to generate an effective lather in; you still use them just for holding the soap puck. You load your brush in the mug, and then generate your lather elsewhere: either on your face directly, or in a much larger bowl/mug.

 

[rosborne]

+1 to Michiganlover.

What you are looking at is a vintage scuttle. What you're looking for is a mug which is just for holding the soap. I collect the Old Spice mugs and use them often. However, you still face lather.

Unless you use modern Williams Shave Soap. It will produce a perfect lather right in the mug. Right?

 

[michiganlover]

Unless you use modern Williams Shave Soap. It will produce a perfect lather right in the mug. Right?

If you say so.....

Honestly I had significantly better results with modern Williams just lathering directly on the puck, however, the results were still far far away from being acceptable.

 

[rosborne]

If you say so.....

Honestly I had significantly better results with modern Williams just lathering directly on the puck, however, the results were still far far away from being acceptable.

Had to throw that down. I used my vintage Williams from an Old Spice Mug this morning. Still can't get over the difference. And then you were the first to reply to the thread. Seemed like the planets were aligned!

 

[onotoman]

Thanks guys, great information.

I suppose one could still use one of these vintage scuttles - just for the experience of using one - as a novelty?

Also I presume these vintage scuttles would be fine to use with a straight razor where the blade didn't need to be rinsed under the tap (faucet to most of you guys) and wiped on a sponge or whatever?

The energy concious would probably argue that using a vintage scuttle would be more energy efficient than constantly running the hot tap?

 

[rosborne]

Sure, I would give it a try if you like. It's all about the experience when using vintage shave gear.

I don't believe the water in the type of scuttle you are refering to is for anything other than to soak your brush. I'm not sure if filling the sink and rinsing you razor would really save much water over quick bursts of tap water to rinse your razor. If you really want to conserve water, I would say fill the sink with water, soak your brush in that water and the use that same water for rinsing your razor between passes.

Tomorrow, I will close the sink drain and use tap to rinse the razor and see how much collects in the sink and judge if I would have filled it that full or more to use the above mentioned method.

 

[onotoman]

I tend to just rinse my razor in cold water between passes. My son was told by teachers at school not to leave the cold tap running when brushing his teeth etc.

My (possibly controversial) view is that we have a massive reservoir only about 80 miles from us and we get tons of rain here in the UK - yes, it costs to clean and pump water but, the water company regularly runs off millions of gallons of water into ajoining rivers when we get too much rain (which is often) and in the last few years there has been a lot of flooding of homes near rivers. If I run the cold tap when shaving, I see it as doing my little bit to keep the water levels below flood-levels. Insurance claims are less, homes aren't ruined - everyone's happy

Yes, don't run off hot water, of course, but fill the sink or whatever.

Your experiment will be interesting.

 

[DamnFineBob]

My (possibly controversial) view is that we have a massive reservoir only about 80 miles from us and we get tons of rain here in the UK - yes, it costs to clean and pump water but, the water company regularly runs off millions of gallons of water into ajoining rivers when we get too much rain (which is often) and in the last few years there has been a lot of flooding of homes near rivers. If I run the cold tap when shaving, I see it as doing my little bit to keep the water levels below flood-levels. Insurance claims are less, homes aren't ruined - everyone's happy

The way you're talking, you'd think 75% of the Earth's surface is covered in water!


Thanks michiganlover. I was wondering what the holey scuttles were about.

 

[Rivguy]

The above comments on the differences between a shaving scuttle and shaving mug are pretty much spot on. In the old days many "gentlemen" had their own mug at their favorite barbershop personalized as they wished. Some of those mugs are now considered collectors treasures. With the advent of "modern" shaving implements, shaving moved into the home for most.

I have several old style scuttles and used one to soak my brush while showering and then laid it on the soap area (no soap there) between passes. It worked to some degree but I abandoned that for my excellent Robert Becker scuttle.

I enjoy using a shaving mug to lather soap that does not come in its own presentable container. Some are very decorative like my pewter Ralph Lauren Safari, Old Spice and Seaforth mugs. Many of the fine vendors on B&B sell a variety of beautiful or just functional mugs. Bullgoose, Classic Shaving,
Barclay Crocker are just a few that come to mind. Col. Conk has some nice mugs that are relatively inexpensive.

Happy shaving,

Doug

 

[michiganlover]

I don't believe the water in the type of scuttle you are referring to is for anything other than to soak your brush.

Correct. Some people who have tried these type of scuttles indicate that some heating of the brush/lather does occur, but the device was not designed with that purpose in mind as modern day scuttles (such as the Georgetown, Moss, and Dirtybird) are.

Maybe my "useless" comment was a bit of an exaggeration, but if you buy one of these scuttles with the intention of experiencing nice warm lather, you will be vastly disappointed.

Since such scuttles are more decorative, that purpose driven, I think the money is way better spent on other more useful items.

 

[rosborne]

Correct. Some people who have tried these type of scuttles indicate that some heating of the brush/lather does occur, but the device was not designed with that purpose in mind as modern day scuttles (such as the Georgetown, Moss, and Dirtybird) are.

Maybe my "useless" comment was a bit of an exaggeration, but if you buy one of these scuttles with the intention of experiencing nice warm lather, you will be vastly disappointed.

Since such scuttles are more decorative, that purpose driven, I think the money is way better spent on other more useful items.

Agreeable with one exception. I don't believe he would be disappointed in a scuttle unless he either 1. Had to high of expectations or 2. Did not use warm enough water. See the Dirty Bird Scuttle Pass here: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=151881

I found with modern scuttles, for a super warm lather and shave, use water warmed in a kettle and I would use a cream rather than a soap. (Although I'm a soap guy myself.) I enjoy mine but don't use it for everyday use. Best for special weekend shaves and cool/cold mornings.

 

[michiganlover]

Agreeable with one exception. I don't believe he would be disappointed in a scuttle unless he either 1. Had to high of expectations or 2. Did not use warm enough water.

I meant that he would likely be disappointed with the older style scuttles, as they are more a novelty item, than having any real purpose in a modern day shaving environment.

A purpose built modern day scuttle like the Moss, Dirtybird, or Georgetown is an entirely different creature all together. I briefly owned a Georgetown G5, and while it did a great job at keeping lather warm, I found it too small to actually lather in, and I was also always afraid of knocking it off of my small sink-top as I am a bit of a klutz.

 

[onotoman]

Thanks again guys

I think I'll try a modern Scuttle. There is a vintage one in a local antique shop for £3 (around $5 so possibly worth picking up too, just for the novelty value)

Cheers

Dave

 

[rosborne]

I meant that he would likely be disappointed with the older style scuttles, as they are more a novelty item, than having any real purpose in a modern day shaving environment.

QUOTE]

Ah, Then we agree entirely. My mistake.