New Guy Here!! I have a question about scuttles...

[josroge]

Hey guys! I'm Josh. I am new to wet shaving. I got interested after I wandered into The Art of Shaving store at the mall. I've lurked around here for a couple of weeks and decided to join up and not be a stranger. I don't have a DE razor just yet, BUT my wife DEFINITELY knows what I want for Christmas!

I have a question about scuttles. I get what they do, mostly, but I haven't quite gotten a clear explanation of what the top is for. I know you fill the bottom with hot water, but do you keep a puck of soap in the top or do you build lather in the top?? Or does it matter? And is it worth the 50 bucks to buy one? I searched all over this place but couldn't really figure it out.

Thanks for your help!!

[SteveLL]

Welcome to B&B. The top part is used for building your lather in, keeping it warm because of the hot water in the bottom. I've never used one, maybe some day.

[Shave A Buck]

Hello and welcome.

[smalltank]

Kinda like a tea pot..hot water in the spout..larger or cream in the middle..mix away and enjoy warm goodness

[josroge]

Ha it is crazy how many "accessory" options are out there. If you had asked me 2 weeks ago what a Scuttle was I wouldn't have had a clue...

[ackvil]

Welcome. Although a scuttle is not a neccesity - it sure is a nice luxury.

[Go West Young Man]

The middle part is just the bowl you make your lather in. The warm water in the base keeps the lather from cooling off.

[StripeyType]

I have a larger scuttle of this type out here at Camp Dwyer, and I tell you what, now that the weather has gotten cold, keeping the lather warm between passes is a real treat!

The other trick out here is to get up earlier than reveille so you get to the hot water first. ;)

[josroge]

Good answers guys. Thanks for all of the insight!

[Sledgehammer39]

Welcome Aboard!

[rkinz]

I bought a scuttle much like the one pictured nearly a year ago, and can tell you that it's worth the money. Assuming that you take the time to shave that is really required to do it right, the scuttle really adds to the "comfort factor" in my book.

[jsj_297]

Makes tons upon tons of warm uberlather in the top my friend!!! I highly recommend the dirtybird line, as I have had good experiences, and it is a wonderful product, I recommend the 1.5 version, its just the right size, with both directions of lines in the bowl, it helps whip up the lather quicker IMO. Julie is wonderful to deal with and will make whatever you want, just about.

GOOD LUCK! We want to see some pictures of the new arrival too!!!

[Don Shinchan]

Makes tons upon tons of warm uberlather in the top my friend!!! I highly recommend the dirtybird line, as I have had good experiences, and it is a wonderful product, I recommend the 1.5 version, its just the right size, with both directions of lines in the bowl, it helps whip up the lather quicker IMO. Julie is wonderful to deal with and will make whatever you want, just about.

GOOD LUCK! We want to see some pictures of the new arrival too!!!

Just checked out Dirtybird's website. Seems like a great pottery work with reasonable price, plus they have international shipping too! It is definitely one of the items in my shaving wish list now. Thanks, jsj_297.

[Optometrist]

Welcome to B&B!:thumbup1:

[Jawaburger]

I have a ceramic lather bowl, not the scuttle kind, and I just put it in the sink filled with hot water along with the brush, and let it soak up the heat while I shower. It may not hold the heat as well as a scuttle, but it is a super cheap alternative. You can find a pretty nice bowl at Pier 1 or Target or whatever for $5.

[josroge]

Makes tons upon tons of warm uberlather in the top my friend!!! I highly recommend the dirtybird line, as I have had good experiences, and it is a wonderful product, I recommend the 1.5 version, its just the right size, with both directions of lines in the bowl, it helps whip up the lather quicker IMO. Julie is wonderful to deal with and will make whatever you want, just about.

GOOD LUCK! We want to see some pictures of the new arrival too!!!

The picture I provided actually is a dirty bird. I found them on YouTube when I was trying to figure out what scuttles are. Hmmm looks like something I might be purchasing in the not so distant future.

[echotron]

Welcome to B&B!

Wow! Doesn't even own a DE ... but's checking out scuttles! The man must have the new improved AD disease!

What razor did you "hint" to your wife? (Edwin Jagger DE89, I hope ... unless its a Feather SS!)

[NickCutlip]

Welcome to B&B !!

[josroge]

Welcome to B&B!

Wow! Doesn't even own a DE ... but's checking out scuttles! The man must have the new improved AD disease!

What razor did you "hint" to your wife? (Edwin Jagger DE89, I hope ... unless its a Feather SS!)

I asked for the Merkur 34C... It seemed to have really great reviews and seems to be recommended a lot for noobs. Maybe I'll have to add the Edwin Jagger to my collection in the future.

[Blade Boy]

Welcome, welcome if you are not looking for anything fancy you can just use two nesting bowls and achieve the same result, if you never used one I would try that first to see if that is the method you want to use before you spend $50 on a scuttle. You can find them for less too if you shop around, Robert Becker makes a decent scuttle for about half that.

[goatee]

i have a "poor mans" scuttle. i put some water in it, and my bowl on top of that. dollar store:wink2:

[echotron]

i have a "poor mans" scuttle. i put some water in it, and my bowl on top of that. dollar store:wink2:

Just be sure to blow out that candle before using alcohol based AS or you will get a BURN like you've never had! :bayrum2:

[Tkocloser]

Ha it is crazy how many "accessory" options are out there. If you had asked me 2 weeks ago what a Scuttle was I wouldn't have had a clue...

+1! welcome! I love my Sarah bonnyman Texan moss scuttle. Use it whenever I'm home and not traveling. True luxury. Why Texan? One we both live there and share the great city of Houston in common :001_smile two and more importantly, her Texan scuttles (named Texan cuz they are BIG) have a full size shaving bowl in the middle. The bowl has ridges that help agitate the lather. Do you need a scuttle? No sir. It is an extra. But I love mine!! Good luck with your search, there are many fine options!

[shaverjoe]

As everyone else has said, the middle is to build you lather. No, the scuttle is not a necessity, but it really is nice. I have the G5 from Georgetown Pottery. I chose it over many others because of its aesthetics and its size. As many have said, there are many less expensive options.

[Captain Pre-Capsize]

Two words: Dirty Bird

[josroge]

I think I might look into buying one used... they are a little expensive!

[Banjoman]

Welcome! That Dirty Bird is a nice one!

[magicman22]

Welcome....have never used a scuttle...but would like one!!

[DeeJott]

Wow! Doesn't even own a DE ... but's checking out scuttles! The man must have the new improved AD disease!


+1

Welcome on board!

[OV1kenobi]

Welcome Aboard!

I also use a Georgetown G5 scuttle. Never owned a DB, but have heard nice things about them; primarily because they make a nice, warm, if not hot lather.

I have found that the G5 scuttle is able to create a lather as hot as you want it. Through experimentation, I discovered that by filling the inner bowl with water, putting it in the microwave on High in my 600 watt appliance for 1:45 I get a very nice and comfortably warm lather. However, if I put just a small amount of water in the inner bowl and heat it for the same amount of time the resulting lather is actually hot.

You just need to experiment with water level and heating time in the microwave.

Either the DB or Georgetown G5 would probably be a fine choice, but I chose the G5 for the aesthetics.

Go to Georgetown's website and you may be able to find one at a bargain price. I was able to purchase one on sale in Ivory and Green Oribe because of a slight blemish (a pinhead-sized hole in the glazing) for around $30.00 USD

Go to this link to check out the scuttle and the available color combinations.

http://www.georgetownpottery.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GTP&Product_Code=SHAV0001&Category_Code=Shaving

Then, give her a call to find out if she has any "blemished" scuttles at a bargain price.

If so, I think you will be very happy with the result. That scuttle is an accessory that makes a world of difference.

Regards,

David

[cb91710]

Welcome. Although a scuttle is not a neccesity - it sure is a nice luxury.
+1

Worth the $50?

On a cold morning, going back to the bowl to relather for that 3rd pass and having the brush and lather be toasty warm is as sweet as a drawer full of warm socks!