I know what you mean. Other than using my Old Spice mugs to hold my soap in, I now create my lather in either my scuttle or a larger bowl. I love lots of lather!
I face lathered for the first year that I switched to shaving with a DE and brush/soap. Recently, I picked up a blue large lather bowl from Doug Smith, and have been building lather in that about halfway before moving to my face. I feel that my lathers have greatly improved in quality, and I'm getting better shaves with no irritation. I also have a cheap handmade bowl that I got on the bay for $9.00 shipped from the artist who made it, and can only imagine that they could charge at least $20-$30 if advertised as a lather bowl, as it is the perfect size in my opinion.
Some amazing bowls on here! So far I've used a hotel room coffee cup, a mug and a breakfast bowl. Love the look of the mug I have but it's a bit too small so banging around the wooden part of brush for no reason. Breakfast bowl wins for now.
once I have some money maybe I'll buy a nicer bowl