"How To Use A Modern Shaving Scuttle" w/ Douglas Smythe of Phoenix Shaving

Scuttles Available HERE - https://bit.ly/2yMLQKQ

In today's Quick Wet Shaving Tips w/ Douglas Smythe we learn a little about the history/evolution of the scuttle; Antique Scuttle to the Modern "Lather Scuttles".
A brief history of the shaving scuttle:
The name Scuttle comes from the Middle English scutel and the Latin scutella, which means drinking bowl or tray. However, I don’t recommend using the shaving scuttle for either. The shaving scuttle as we know it came into use sometime in the 19th century. Back in those days hot water was not common place in many a dwelling, so one way to get around this, and a visit to the barber for a hot shave was, you guessed it, the shaving scuttle.
As we mentioned earlier, the vessel somewhat resembles a tea pot with a wide mouthed spout and at the top is the soap dish that may or may not have drainage holes in it. The drainage holes also function as steam vents that aid in creating a very nice hot lather, which is our goal. Hot lather equals a close, safe, therapeutic shave…win.

At the top of the scuttle or mug is a soap holder. Traditionally, it was used with a hard block of shaving soap (rather than soft soap or cream) and therefore had drain holes at the bottom. Later scuttles and mugs do not include the holes, and thus can be used with creams and soft soaps. Some scuttles and mugs have concentric circles on the bottom, which retain some water thus helping to build lather.