Shave mug vs. Coffee mug, what's the difference?

[81FSUnole]

hey guys, new to DE shaving as of 2ish months ago. thankfully i'm not slicing my neck up too bad anymore....gotta love the learning curve.

okay, i've been using TOBS sandalwood and proraso cream w/ a lot of success. well, i wanna try shave soap. can i not just use a regular coffee mug and drop the puck in that. was looking at some shaving mugs and they're kinda expensive.

Thanks guys!

[DunEdinRanger]

The difference is the price.

[Drubbing]

A mug or cup can hold the soap, but not a good idea for making lather in; too small, no room to move and you just keep lifting soap off.

Drop the puck in a mug for loading up, and use a cereal bowl to make lather, that's a good size. I face lather, quicker, easier and more tactile feedback on where lather's at.

[luvmysuper]

You can use whatever you like, mug, bowl - it doesn't really matter.

Just make sure it's wide enough that your not smacking your brush against the sides as you load up.
Nothing worse than that "tink tink tink" early in the morning.

[GDCarrington]

Rounded bottom Gibson mug that I bought from Big Lots. $4.00 + Tax.

Mine is brown rather than blue. (Ignore the standard cylindrical cup).

Works well and holds in heat and allows for easier brushing.

The expense of specialty mugs was a big turn off.

[Big Kev]

I have an Old Spice shave mug that has some ridges in the bottom. It seams to help build the lather, but I could be wrong. I guess I could use it as a coffee cup if I really wanted to. I also have a bowl from Target that I use. No difference in the mugs or cups or bowls, I just use what ever I feel like using that day. Use what ever works best for you.

I did learn that my wife's grandmother's coffee cups are not good shaving mugs... I am not sure why but I was informed by my wife they are unacceptable, they are a nice size though and they worked pretty good.

[Blue_2]

Head over to Target or even a local restaurant supply store. Plenty of great choices on the cheap.

[michiganlover]

The expense of specialty mugs was a big turn off.

Not to mention that fact that many of the so called "shaving mugs" don't work at all for their intended purpose. Too small to lather in, so what you end up with is a fancy vessel for holding your puck of soap, aka TOTAL WASTE OF MONEY!!

Use a $5 mug, and save the money for more important things like more soap, cream, and razors! :laugh:

[mikeon]

Cappuccino mugs work great. The dollar store in my neck of the woods, Dollarama, has the perfect mug for only a buck.

[FL shaver]

I was super happy with the O'Brien bowl I got from Target for a couple of bucks. I used it for any time I didn't face lather. Then, for Father's Day, my kids got me a G5 scuttle. I use it every once in awhile, but the bowl is just as effective in building lather. I think you can go cheap here...

[k200817]

Picked up a small soup bowl from Kohels. $3.99. Works like a charm with soap and cream and looks great. Kind of like an old Aztec/Indian design. Looks really old school. :thumbup:

[81FSUnole]

thanks everyone. coffee mug/cappucino mug to store and cereal bowl to lather. awesome. on a student's budget so your advice helps a lot.

[woodfluter]

81FSUnole, whatever you use, you don't have to spend a lot of money on that bowl unless you want to.

My big revelation was that, even when using hard soaps, it was faster and more efficient (i.e. less wasteful and cheaper) to load the brush, then use a separate bowl to build lather. Sounds like more bother, but for me it really isn't. I was just stirring soap around the top of the puck and never getting the right mix, while the separate bowl gave me a lot more control. Now if you lather on your face, YMMV and it could be a whole 'nother story. But from what you've said, sounds like you're on the right track!

Here's a picture with my current favorite items.

http://a.imageshack.us/img59/6318/bowls1sm.jpg (http://img59.imageshack.us/i/bowls1sm.jpg/)

The apothecary bowl is bigger than your typical coffee mug, and does cost something but it holds a big puck and the flare is nice - to me.

Inside that is a stainless steel doggie dish for miniature breeds that cost me under $4. Covers the mug with the puck to keep it from drying out. And you can float it in hot water for a luxurious shave!

To the right is a porcelain bowl from Pier One, $2.38 after tax, that is the perfect shape for my brushes. Diameter 4", depth 2-7/8", flat bottom only a bit wider than the brush, sides flare just right so nothing gets spilled but I don't bang the handle against it. If I want hot lather, I partially fill the stainless bowl with hot water and set the porcelain bowl inside that. Really works.

Many, many options out there and fun figuring out what's right for you.

- Bill

[Hex]

Rounded bottom Gibson mug that I bought from Big Lots. $4.00 + Tax.

Mine is brown rather than blue. (Ignore the standard cylindrical cup).

Works well and holds in heat and allows for easier brushing.

The expense of specialty mugs was a big turn off.

Lol, I got one of those Gibson mugs from Big Lots and, using some Gorilla Glue, painted a cross, and some circular rings on the bottom. Gorilla glue expands when it dries, so I have some ridges along the bottom to help with the lathering.

Seems to work ok so far.

Excuse the sloppy work with the glue.

[Danuhoh]

An Edwin Jagger mug, has a stem type handle to hold and also has ridges on the inside, on the bottom, to help make lather. Yes, it did cost alot but I wanted soemthing "nice" to add to my shaving experience.

[jin]

Lol, I got one of those Gibson mugs from Big Lots and, using some Gorilla Glue, painted a cross, and some circular rings on the bottom. Gorilla glue expands when it dries, so I have some ridges along the bottom to help with the lathering.

Seems to work ok so far.

That sounds cool, I'll have to try that.

I use a couple of mugs I picked up from Goodwill for $0.25 each. One is a coffee mug from a local diner (has ads all over it). Fits a puck of Van der Hagen soap perfectly, but it has straight sides so I get that "tink tink" every time I use it. The other one must be more of a cappuccino or soup mug. It has a smaller base, and sloping sides. I use it lather in, and the sloping sides work great, no tink at all. Best of all, $0.50 total for supplies. When I rest the cappuccino mug in the sink, it keeps the lather nice and warm.

I also picked up some cheap custard cups from Target (after reading about them in another thread here). I melted some Col Conks into one, and it works perfectly for lathering up on top of the soap.

Definitely go by a Salvation Army, Goodwill, or some other kind of thrift shop. It may take a few visits, but you'll find something a lot cheaper that will work great.

[Topgumby]

I dunno, folks.

The Old Spice mug I picked up at Goodwill for two bits simply doesn't do the job as well as the Old Spice mugs that I payed a little more for.

Likewise, the cheap, no name soup mugs and second hand store bowls I use really do lather better if I put a fifty dollar bill under them.

Go ahead and kid yourself that cheap is good, but we know deep down, that unless you paid a ridiculous amount for it, it's just sub par.

[GDCarrington]

I dunno, folks.

The Old Spice mug I picked up at Goodwill for two bits simply doesn't do the job as well as the Old Spice mugs that I payed a little more for.

Likewise, the cheap, no name soup mugs and second hand store bowls I use really do lather better if I put a fifty dollar bill under them.

Go ahead and kid yourself that cheap is good, but we know deep down, that unless you paid a ridiculous amount for it, it's just sub par.

If I put the fifty dollars under the mug, will that enhance the experience, or must the fifty dollars be no longer in my possession to make this work?

[TxPhoto09]

hey guys, new to DE shaving as of 2ish months ago. thankfully i'm not slicing my neck up too bad anymore....gotta love the learning curve.

okay, i've been using TOBS sandalwood and proraso cream w/ a lot of success. well, i wanna try shave soap. can i not just use a regular coffee mug and drop the puck in that. was looking at some shaving mugs and they're kinda expensive.

Thanks guys!

If you'll look carefully in the bottoms of the mugs, you'll find that the coffee mug has coffee in it, and the shaving mug has soap in it.

That's OK, no need to thank me.

[Topgumby]

If you'll look carefully in the bottoms of the mugs, you'll find that the coffee mug has coffee in it, and the shaving mug has soap in it.

That's OK, no need to thank me.

Genius.

[strohman]

I have been looking for an oversized mug for lathering soap, but haven't been able to find one. I have been using a little desert cup I snatched from the kitchen. It's about the size of a puck of soap and I hadn't used anything else before this.

Today I stopped at Pier One and found a great oversized coffee mug on sale. I got it for $4, so the price was right! I was in a hurry this morning, so I decided to hold off on shaving until later. I came home and tried it out with some Bigelow's cream. Wow--it really made all the difference! I had great lather in very little time!

Now I want to try it with some soaps to see if I have any better luck there. My lathering technique with soap has been stuck in the "developmental" stage and I'm hoping to improve there.

If anyone is still looking for an affordable shaving mug, Pier One might be the place to go!

[Groat]

I'll second, or is that third, the oversized rounded mug. I started out lathering in a 'regular' ceramic mug, and aside from being too small the vertical sides make it hard to create lather. I ended up finding a big rounded ceramic mug in the basement and it's like night and day.

If you're just looking for something to hold your soap to load it up, I'm sure a regular mug will work fine. You'll notice that almost every soap company sells shaving bowls that fit their soaps as well. Gentlemen's Best, a vendor on these boards, also sells a nice personalized wooden bowl that will fit most shave soaps for a low price.

[DFrancis]

Another vote for an apothecary mug, lots of room to maneuver the brush around.

[Ru4scuba?]

The difference is the price.

Yup...my thoughts exactly!

[Venom]

The difference: $10 bucks.

[Speedwell68]

I was using a Massimo mug that was liberated from Costa Coffee, but it was a little narrow for my big hands. So I have a Latte mug that cost £0.50 from a boot sale. It is around 6" across and has a big handle so it is easy to get a firm grip on it when lathering. I is basically a big bowl with a handle. I have looked at these fancy shaving bowls on offer from various vendors and I can't honestly see the point in them, unless you want something to look fancy in your shave den.

[Bertilak]

If you'll look carefully in the bottoms of the mugs, you'll find that the coffee mug has coffee in it, and the shaving mug has soap in it.

That's OK, no need to thank me.

That's better than what I was going to say -- take sip and see if it tastes like soap or coffee! You idea is safer.

[73mountaineer]

I dunno, folks.

The Old Spice mug I picked up at Goodwill for two bits simply doesn't do the job as well as the Old Spice mugs that I payed a little more for.

Likewise, the cheap, no name soup mugs and second hand store bowls I use really do lather better if I put a fifty dollar bill under them.

Go ahead and kid yourself that cheap is good, but we know deep down, that unless you paid a ridiculous amount for it, it's just sub par.

Ah, a man after my own heart, or at least one that shares my sense of humor :biggrin1:

- Steve :001_cool:

[maxman]

My first shave mug was a latte mug.
It's just the right size.

[RayH]

If you'll look carefully in the bottoms of the mugs, you'll find that the coffee mug has coffee in it, and the shaving mug has soap in it.

That's OK, no need to thank me.

What about coffee scented shaving soap?:tongue_sm

[Topgumby]

OK, now that we have all sung the praises of cheap mugs and bowls, can I confess that there is something about having a purpose built shaving mug (Old Spice, Seaforth, scuttle) that helps make a den complete? :blushing:

I don't mean that they work any better, but they sure look nice next to your other stuff.

[GDCarrington]

OK, now that we have all sung the praises of cheap mugs and bowls, can I confess that there is something about having a purpose built shaving mug (Old Spice, Seaforth, scuttle) that helps make a den complete? :blushing:

I don't mean that they work any better, but they sure look nice next to your other stuff.

We all look and enjoy the better scuttles, mugs (especially nostalgic) and so forth. So go ahead and say it, say it, SAY IT:lol::lol::lol: !

[shipr]

OK, now that we have all sung the praises of cheap mugs and bowls, can I confess that there is something about having a purpose built shaving mug (Old Spice, Seaforth, scuttle) that helps make a den complete? :blushing:

I don't mean that they work any better, but they sure look nice next to your other stuff.

yea, I have a regular coffee mug that's a bit small.
i've been checking goodwill occasionally for an oldspice or shaving mugs but no luck.

[GarageBoy]

I like shaving mugs as a substitue for wooden soap bowls. As a lather vessel, I use a small crate and barrel cereal bowl

[solar]

For me, the difference is that one scalds my face, and one soothes it.....:001_rolle

[M80]

I use a french onion soup bowl

(pic: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=161839 )

I like the handle on it better than a mug handle.

[Up And Down]

A mug or bowl made for shaving will usually have a ridges or circles on the bottom inside to help with lathering.

[Up And Down]

I use a french onion soup bowl

(pic: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=161839 )

I like the handle on it better than a mug handle.

M80 where did you get that bowl? Did you buy it around here (Boston area)? If I could get that in black I would buy one myself.

[M80]

M80 where did you get that bowl? Did you buy it around here (Boston area)? If I could get that in black I would buy one myself.

I bought it at Savers. (second hand store) For two dollars. :thumbup1:

[Deborah]

Rounded bottom Gibson mug that I bought from Big Lots. $4.00 + Tax.

Mine is brown rather than blue. (Ignore the standard cylindrical cup).

Works well and holds in heat and allows for easier brushing.

The expense of specialty mugs was a big turn off.

I love this! What a great idea. I think I'll get me one! Does it come in pink? :biggrin1:

[GDCarrington]

I love this! What a great idea. I think I'll get me one! Does it come in pink? :biggrin1:

I don't know if they come in pink.
Try their website:

http://www.gibsonusa.com/dinnerware_whiteware.php

Happy hunting.

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

I use my own Sterling (needs polishing now & then), Silver Baby Cup (because it fit Williams Shave Soap
perfectly...straight out of the box...in the cup...no hassles...no issues), my Mother gave me (as my family Keepsake), many...many 'moons' ago.

Also, yes..my B & B friends...it's engraved with my name, birthday and this note;

"To Smoke is Human...To Smoke Cigars is Divine" :001_smile

[ImaWestie]

If you'll look carefully in the bottoms of the mugs, you'll find that the coffee mug has coffee in it, and the shaving mug has soap in it.

That's OK, no need to thank me.

Sounds millitary:
Shave mug left side, brew mug right. Don't mix them up or your coffee will taste like soap forever more!
Everyone has to do it the same, otherwise you can't make each other coffee.

[CoolBurn]

I don't mean to threadjack here, but I have never even tried a bowl or mug. Always face lather. Am I being foolish or is it just personal preference?

[Hex]

Lol, I got one of those Gibson mugs from Big Lots and, using some Gorilla Glue, painted a cross, and some circular rings on the bottom. Gorilla glue expands when it dries, so I have some ridges along the bottom to help with the lathering.

Seems to work ok so far.

Excuse the sloppy work with the glue.

Well, the glue failed me and came unstuck after yesterday's soak in hot water.

Maybe some epoxy would work better.

[Rumbaldi]

I use an old thick sided stoneware mug the NRA gave me to hold my soap puck. I lather in a hand thrown bowl I bought at Goodwill for $4.00. I like soaking my brush and soap at the same time in the NRA mug and then building the lather in the bowl. I fill them both up with water from an electric kettle and everything stays nice and warm for three or four passes. Just make sure whatever you choose that the walls are nice and thick so they can hold some heat.

[Skrymr]

I found the perfect mug for me for 49 cents at Goodwill.

http://i446.photobucket.com/albums/qq182/Skrymr/Str8pics035.jpg

[Whitman]

I inherited a pewter mug that my grandfather used to shave with. He used soap. I do not. The mug is about the size of a standard coffee mug, and thus is a little cramped for building up a lather (I make it work, though). I got my brother a ceramic ramekin for lathering when I put together his first shave kit ($3 at Wal Mart).

The thing I really enjoy about pewter are its thermal properties--it holds hot or cold really well, and thus keeps the lather nice and warm after I've let hot water sit in it for a few minutes before whipping up the lather. The thing I don't like about my mug are it's narrowness, the fact that it has a tiny handle, and the fact that the handle is also pewter (meaning it gets just as hot as the rest of the mug).

What I would really like is a broad mug with a ceramic or stoneware outer layer and (large) handle with a pewter inner lining. Has anyone ever seen such a thing?