I've got a GP G20 and I really like it. It's a second, so it was much less expensive. It's taken me a few weeks to really figure out how to use it correctly, but now it makes a huge amount of great lather. I don't use warm/hot water in it in the summer, so I'll need to figure that out when it starts cooling off again. Anyway, the thing is a work of art and I enjoy using it, so for me it is not overrated.
Scuttles--Overrated?
- Thread starter J743
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I have the GP 20, Its a nice to have and gives hot lather for pretty much endless passes. As far as trouble lathering, I have a rubber / flexible mixing bowl that produces an amazing lather... versus that bowl because the GP is smaller and not flexible I have to start with less water. I soak the brush and then give 3-4 good flicks. I use a Chubby 2 which holds a lot of water anyway. Then load the brush like normal and it works really well. If I am not careful with the water, the lather gets thin and full of bubbles immediately. Try less water and see. I used mine this AM with Cella and it was great.
This past winter was one of nastiest I have seen in a couple decades. So nasty that by the time I even was doing touch-ups my lather was like crushed iced being spread on my face. Also so nasty I went and bought my first scuttle when the weather broke and I had some cash left rather than shoveling it out for heat. So, is it worth it? ....................
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- #24
UPDATE--
Scuttles are NOT overrated, they are just fine. Here's what I did different:
Adding water into the scuttle to serve as a conductor of sorts, keeping the lather emulsified and hot at the same time. Worked like a champ, the trick is figuring out how much water to use
Scuttles are NOT overrated, they are just fine. Here's what I did different:
Adding water into the scuttle to serve as a conductor of sorts, keeping the lather emulsified and hot at the same time. Worked like a champ, the trick is figuring out how much water to use
Was it a temp change or amount you put into the water chamber that made the difference for you?
I should say the combination of water amount and temp or just amount....maybe that's more clear?
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- #26
Good question--the added water kept the temperature how I preferred, hot, AND it didn't break down. That happy medium is exactly what I wanted.
As far as how hot--that I'll need to play with--I think just having water is fine. I added today the water from the soap puck I soaked while in the shower
As far as how hot--that I'll need to play with--I think just having water is fine. I added today the water from the soap puck I soaked while in the shower
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- #27
I should mention I prefer to face lather then park the brush in the scuttle--so there's about a half a teaspoon of fresh water greeting the brush when it first sits in there. If using a scuttle you'll add it in there anyway.
Overrated? No....it's really a matter of opinion....I have a GP G12 second and not only is it a beautiful piece....it's damn effective and was affordable as we'll....I'll admit not all soaps/creams like higher temps...but all my favorites do just fine...when I'm traveling I face lather, and I always look forward to getting home to the G12.
When I first started wet shaving I thought spending money on a scuttle was crazy....when I found out that GP sold seconds I bought myself one for my birthday...definitely one of my best shaving purchases ever IMO
For me It's not about HOT lather...it's about a nice warm lather, and my scuttle easily provides that for a 4 pass shave....others can turn their noses at scuttles, but mine isn't going anywhere.
When I first started wet shaving I thought spending money on a scuttle was crazy....when I found out that GP sold seconds I bought myself one for my birthday...definitely one of my best shaving purchases ever IMO
For me It's not about HOT lather...it's about a nice warm lather, and my scuttle easily provides that for a 4 pass shave....others can turn their noses at scuttles, but mine isn't going anywhere.
Scuttles are a matter of discipline. It takes time and attention. An unnecessary but sometimes desirable step in the routine. I find mine a bit clumsy to use. I do enjoy it occasionally in the winter but in the summer months it serves more as a display/conversation piece: "Why do you keep a teapot in your bathroom?"
I rigged a scuttle last night with a big mug that I have and a smaller portioning bowl we got as a wedding present. Used hot water out of our keurig to fill it. I liked the warmth of the lather but the bowl was too small and it took a while to get a good lather whipped up. So my problem is I like a scuttle and want to use one but don't want to spend the money on a purpose made one and want a bigger bowl than what I whipped up!
I live in Maine. 'Nuff said. We've had mornings this week where I appreciated warm lather!
Wrong question, I think. For those who use and like them, they're obviously not overrated. Perhaps the right question is, "Is a scuttle right for me?"
1. The beautiful hand-crafted scuttles you see here are both splendid and expensive. I don't use one. I use a dip-chiller:
View attachment 476345
Get it at Amazon for $14.
2. I've never had lather dissipate in the scuttle, so I can't help you there. 30 or so soaps and creams, no problem. Perhaps we make our lathers differently? Also, I use hot tap water (which is plenty warm enough) rather than water heated in a microwave or on the stove.
3. It is simply lovely, if self-indulgent, to have warm lather for the last passes. So I can't rate scuttles highly enough!
4. YMMV, of course!
Wrong question, I think. For those who use and like them, they're obviously not overrated. Perhaps the right question is, "Is a scuttle right for me?"
1. The beautiful hand-crafted scuttles you see here are both splendid and expensive. I don't use one. I use a dip-chiller:
View attachment 476345
Get it at Amazon for $14.
2. I've never had lather dissipate in the scuttle, so I can't help you there. 30 or so soaps and creams, no problem. Perhaps we make our lathers differently? Also, I use hot tap water (which is plenty warm enough) rather than water heated in a microwave or on the stove.
3. It is simply lovely, if self-indulgent, to have warm lather for the last passes. So I can't rate scuttles highly enough!
4. YMMV, of course!
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- #32
Good point.
I like a wet lather, not a dry, so I know there's plenty water there. To rephrase: I prefer to load with a damp brush and face lather. I can get phenomenal lathers, slick as snot, but before today's scuttle technique it was hard to appreciate it.
+1. I really enjoy the warm lather I get when using my Becker scuttle. It takes a little extra time (what part of our hobby doesn't!) but to me it is worth the extra time and effort. Getting and keeping a good lather has thankfully never been a problem.
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- #35
I wish I changed that title. I'm sorry guys!
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+1 on both counts. I enjoy the warm lather in the winter or cooler months. I did fine for many years without a scuttle but love it now.
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Overrated? Not for me. I've got a Robert Becker scuttle, fill it and the bowl with hot tap water for brush soaking while I shower, then empty and refill it when it's time to shave with more hot tap water. I used to face lather prior to getting this, but now bowl lather. Stays nice and warm for three passes. About the only negative I have re: this scuttle is the stopper - too hard to remove once it's inserted, so I don't use it. Someday I'll pare down a wine cork to fit. But I doubt the temperature loss through the fill hole is significant, I assume the stopper is more to eliminate splashing which doesn't happen anyway.
I've done some experiments where I've not used the scuttle and went back to using my previous bowl - wasn't happy with the temp of the lather on any of the passes.
I've never had problems with the lather breaking down or drying out, I think hot tap water is a sufficient temp to maintain a proper lather consistency.
I've done some experiments where I've not used the scuttle and went back to using my previous bowl - wasn't happy with the temp of the lather on any of the passes.
I've never had problems with the lather breaking down or drying out, I think hot tap water is a sufficient temp to maintain a proper lather consistency.
What I have observed is that if you have the water too hot there is a danger the lather will break down.
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- #39
Wow. That's a really beautiful scuttle, sir. I'll keep toying with mine and report back here!
Appreciate the feedback guys I'll give it another go.
Love both my scuttles, i find its definitely better with warm water in it, i think many people make it to hot, even heard of some puttin it in the microwave.
Fill the resovior and bowl with HOT HOT water, have a shower, by the time you get out it should be good to dump the water from only the bowl and get mixing
Fill the resovior and bowl with HOT HOT water, have a shower, by the time you get out it should be good to dump the water from only the bowl and get mixing
