Lather - warm or cold?

[timbstoke]

How do you prepare your lathers? I just invested in a new ceramic shaving bowl, and I've found that, by filling it with boiling water while I shower, I end up with a nice warm bowl that delivers a really warm, luxurious feeling lather.

Is this the 'normal' way of doing it and something I've only just caught on to? How does everyone else prepare there lather?

[Drybonz]

From what I have seen, it's pretty much split. Some people prefer taking a bit of extra time to warm the lather and some don't mind cold lather at all.

I recently bought a scuttle and have been making warm lather. Last night I went back to cold lather for the first time since I bought the scuttle and it just wasn't the same.

The warm lather feels really good to me... but, ultimately, it is just a personal preference.

*edit* The scuttles are small pitchers with a built-in bowl on the top. You put hot water under the bowl and it keeps the bowl/lather warm the whole time you are shaving. If you like warm lather you might check these out.

[BWagner]

Warming a shaving bowl is a good way to get warm lather without the expense of a scuttle. I use both warm and non-warmed lather and frankly both work well for me. If I'm running a little short of time I will usually skip the scuttle route since I want to reduce my "clean-up" time after the shave. Really I can get semi-warm lather just by dipping the tips of my brush in some hot water as I face lather. I think both lathers work well and it's just up to what kinda mood you happen to be in that day.

[Drybonz]

I think both lathers work well and it's just up to what kinda mood you happen to be in that day.

Well said... the warm lather is kind of a luxury thing and it does take more time. There is no harm in changing it up based on your mood, or what is practical for you at any given time.

[El Judio Bravo]

I like warm lather. Even in summertime there's something "comforting" about the sensation of saturating the beard before applying the day's choice of hardware. :001_smile

[bowlturner]

I only recently tried a brush scuttle to keep the lather warm. I prefer it! As Drybonz mentions, it IS "a luxury thing". Any lather, cool or warm, applied with a good shaving brush is better than goo out of a can.

[Adam D]

As a face latherer my lather is always on the cool side.

However, I did try bowl lathering once and left the bowl in the sink of hot water and the warm lather was a pleasant experience. A bit of a hassle for a weekday shave, but something I would try again at the weekend.

[gull]

I tried to get my lather warm, but it never really got hot enough. I didn't feel like buying a scuttle, so I just placed my bowl on top of another bowl filled with hot water. There wasn't much of a difference in the lather, so I just use cold lather now.

[inkcoffee]

My lather is in the middle, lukewarm, I'm a face latherer. A boar brush gets soaked in hot water during my shower, mainly for the brush's benefit, then I work up the lather on my face and add water as necessary from the sitting water in the sink.

[neilt]

somedays warm, somedays cold.

Hot water dispenser so I usually warm my bowl with boiling water and let it sit in a sink of non-boiling water to keep it toasty.

[TheDoctor]

I can't stand cold lather. As I've stated in some other threads, I've had problems with keeping the water & lather warm enough. Surprisingly this wasn't a problem until I learned how to lather properly. (LOL)

I think I finally solved the problem. I bought an electric candle warmer for < 5$ and I set my mug (with boiling water) on it and soak my brush in it while I shower. The water doesn't stay boiling hot for very long, but stays hot enough to keep the lather warm.

So far, so good. :thumbup: Hopefully, it will work long term.

[cnnc97]

I know it's a big expense but if you really like warm lather you should get a scuttle. I picked up a Dirty Bird 1.5 on the B/S/T for $50 shipped. I used to put my latte mug in a hot sink full of water and the difference between that and the scuttle is night and day.

[RaisingTheBar]

Where are some good places to order myself a scuttle? I usually leave the bowl in the sink full of warm water but often it tips between lathers.

[HoosierTrooper]

Cold lather all the time.

[rrobbins]

Thanks for this post. My lather starts out lukewarm and ends up cold, so I thought that something was extremely wrong with my technique, or I was taking too much time.

[rrobbins]

Thanks for this post. My lather starts out lukewarm and ends up cold, so I thought that something was extremely wrong with my technique, or I was taking too much time.

[eski11]

I do shave with both cold and warm lather, but since I picked up a mug warmer at a garage sale, it sure makes it easier than putting my bowl in a sink of hot water while shaving

[Pebcak]

Where are some good places to order myself a scuttle? I usually leave the bowl in the sink full of warm water but often it tips between lathers.

You can get a Moss scuttle from Sara at: http://www.sarabonnymanpottery.com/moss_scuttle.htm

And a dirty bird at: http://www.dirtybirdpottery.com/shavinggear.html

I personally am saving my pennies for a Moss scuttle and Ayers bowl from Sara.

I'm a warm lather man. I don't know if it makes a difference but it sure feels better on the face then cold later.

[cnnc97]

Where are some good places to order myself a scuttle? I usually leave the bowl in the sink full of warm water but often it tips between lathers.

The popular ones I have heard good things about are the Dirty Bird, Georgetown Pottery G5, Robert Becker, and Moss. There were several discussions on these about a month ago if you seach the forums.

Do a Google search and you should find websites for all of these. I believe Robert Becker sells his in an Ebay store. Keep an eye on the B/S/T as well. Or if you decide which you want you could try posting a Wanted To Buy thread.

[Alraz]

The hotter the water is, the easier it is to build lather but also the more the lather dries out. As for the feeling on your face, it is personal. In the winter, like my lather slightly over body temperature, this is typically enough to notice a difference. I do have a scuttle but I hardly ever use it. I much rather enjoy the beard preparation benefits of face lathering.

Al raz.

[BladeRunner001]

I am very partial for warm lather and use a bowl (inside a hot pot full of warm/hot water)...this keeps a consistently warm lather...I have not had problems with lather drying and in the rare occasion that it does or becomes fluffier than normal, I just give it a few whips and I am good to go again

[Drybonz]

Another scuttle is the Robert Becker. He sells them on eBay... he's a nice guy to deal with and his scuttles are less expensive than all the others.

[rrobbins]

Thanks, I just ordered a ceramic scuttle from Robert Becker on ebay.

[cnnc97]

Thanks, I just ordered a ceramic scuttle from Robert Becker on ebay.

:thumbup1:

[Drybonz]

Thanks, I just ordered a ceramic scuttle from Robert Becker on ebay.

Good deal... I like mine a lot.

[fisherbln]

I warm the bowl while I shower, but I don't go out of my way to keep the lather warm while I shave. The temperature of the lather doesn't seem to make much difference to me.

[coyotewhisper]

I have just discovered the luxury of warm lather. On chilly mornings, it is very comforting.
I have two ways, I let my lather bowl float in a sink with warm water, I have a cermanic bowl that i fill with warm water place my shave bowl in.

[npsarros]

The reason I got into DE shaving was to have WARM lather. I just love the feel of the warm on my face.

[Luc]

Some like it warm, some like it cold. I like mine warm.

[PozzSka]

I prefer it warm...I'm hoping to get a scuttle for Xmas, but for now, my first pass is warm (just from the hot water in the sink), then they cool off quickly.