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

Scuttles Available HERE - 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.

[@jacobbillman6485]

I like Douglas's video so much I still watch them when I am to lazy for shave soap.

[@1o1s1s1i1e]

Received your scuttle today and can't wait to try it out! First starting wet shaving two years ago when I stumbled onto PaulHFillms KZbin channel. I'm 63 years old and finally getting great/enjoyable shaves!!! You had a card enclosed with the scuttle and I contacted the Boy Scouts in the hopes that young men will not have to wait until they are in their 60's to get a good shave. Thank you!

[@DouglasSmythe]

Ossie Weinert you rock! Thank you so much for contacting them! That said, anyone reading this comment, we are actively trying to get Traditional Shaving into the Boy Scout Handbook as a merit badge for Eagle Scouts! Please take a minute and help us by shooting a short email to [e-mail] Lets do this for the scouts! Thanks again Ossie for bringing this up and helping! Shave On!

[@mojo3443]

Douglas Smythe as an Eagle Scout myself who just started wet shaving last month after reading your comment I would also like to see this as a merit badge for the scouts because traditional shaving is an art that is incredibly hard to master and the whole point of scouting is to introduce new concepts and ideas to young people i to will write them an email because as you know shaving is an essential part of male hygiene and to teach someone how to properly do it would be great P.S. Keep up the good work I enjoy your videos

[@DouglasSmythe]

joseph santoro thank you sir! I think it's totally possible. This would be the first time shaving would be in "the book" too...bout time! :) thanks for your help in this Joseph!

[@1o1s1s1i1e]

See "PaulHFilms" on KZbin for some excellent wet shaving tips!

[@DouglasSmythe]

Ossie Weinert check out our new show Ossie, I'd Lather Be Shaving! I think you will enjoy it idlatherbeshaving.com

[@andrebroussard5702]

Great soaps, great aftershaves, great tutorials... guess I will have to pick this scuttle up with Champagne.

[@Diver6127]

I prefer the heat retention of the ceramic variety. But I will order the travel scuttle for when I travel.

[@DouglasSmythe]

Exactly

[@bdragon1445]

Love my Crown King Scuttle! Putting hot lather on makes me WANT to shave every day.

[@DouglasSmythe]

B Dragon amen to that!

[@dannycnoble]

Got the scuttle. Does what it says and I like it. Only draw back is the bowl isn't deep enough and the lather goes everywhere. I watched other videos using this scuttle and they all had the same issue. But i watch Douglas and his lather stayed in the bowl. So I have to practice and figure out how to keep the lather in the bowl. I am fairly new to wet shaving (been using cremo and safety razor for several years) so my techinque is still improving. Thanks, Doug & PAA for the awesome scuttle and 2 of my favorite soap scents. Chocolate bourbon and Tombstone

[@DouglasSmythe]

Danny Noble thanks bud! Yes, the bowl is the right size, you just need to “learn it” my friend. I believe my technique comes from originally using shaving mugs, which are far smaller...you new guys are spoiled! Lol - all kidding aside, I thank you for your support and I wish you many a close shave!

[@CommonWealthNJ]

Very informative, thanks Douglas!

[@jamespowell3712]

Follow the porcelin across middle America to find the opening to the hollow scuttle. High jump in. I like the themes.

[@spikeg.jr.4893]

I use those old time scuttles (well my is a new one but it's like the old time soap scuttles) and for me they work great, they really keep the brush hot and thanks to that it helps create warm lather. When ether I use my scuttle which is a Col. Ichabod Conk Scuttle I use boiling water from a kettle not from the faucet.

[@MichaelThomascga1996]

Thanks Douglas, just ordered mine tonight can't wait to try a scuttle (yes, it was a Crown King!) The tutorial was timely.

[@kensurfs]

Great video.

[@Diver6127]

Doug, I use a modern ceramic scuttle but I'm not getting consistent lather. I live in New Jersey and our water is extremely hard. Will this hinder PAA soaps from lathering consistently? I do use boiling water but inlet it cool while I take a shower. Its a qshave scuttle and I use diver down soap and a synthetic brush. It builds lather but getting that sheen eludes me butnibdonget stiff peaks. I want to try adding glycerine but also experiment byntrying bottledwater and filtered water in stead of tap water to hydrate. Any suggestions on would be appreciated.

[@DouglasSmythe]

Sorry just seeing this now. Did I answer this somewhere else?

[@TheDragonshadow1231]

For, super lather or uber lather add a nickle or quarter amount of pure or vegetable glycerine. It adds slickness and unto moisturize properties prevent rapid dying for a soap and kaboom lol. A tiny warm water, nickle or quarter glycerine and lather it up

[@tonymarinelli7303]

I absolutely love my Crown King scuttle and have been enjoying luxurious warm lathers for many weeks now. The build quality is magnificent and I really like that it includes a rot free cork. If you see this Douglas, can I purchase a spare cork next time I place an order?

[@judthestudo2]

I have been loving my crown king scuttle it feels so awesome to get that warm lather for every pass. And yeah also have that switchback brush which is perfect.

[@TheDragonshadow1231]

@Douglas Smythe. For, super lather or uber lather add a nickle or quarter amount of pure or vegetable glycerine. It adds slickness and unto moisturize properties prevent rapid dying for a soap and kaboom lol. A tiny warm water, nickle or quarter glycerine and lather it up

[@DouglasSmythe]

Uber lather, yep it’s an old trick i have covered many times here and on my other channel: idlatherbeshaving.com

[@TheDragonshadow1231]

@@DouglasSmythe Nice blessed ya cool so good glycerin lol

[@rubenmorales7250]

Great video! I've always been curious about scuttles and your video pretty much answered all question on the scuttle. I'm really looking forward to picking one up hopefully some time in the future!

[@DouglasSmythe]

ruben morales oh good to hear my man! You can always email me if you have anymore questions too! Shave on!

[@anthonylowder6687]

Doug, just curious.....what is your personal favorite vintage DE razor?

[@DouglasSmythe]

Honestly, I don’t even have a favorite color! (Why set limits for yourself?)- some of my faves are really obvious, Red Tip, Kirby Bears Co, and the Grand Shave King

[@StingofTruth]

just ordered me the crown king scuttle in black from you on Amazon. Douglas i gotta say thanks for making them available at such a great price! see you at the round table my man.

[@DouglasSmythe]

Sting of Truth thank you bud! Looking forward to tomorrow's show!!!

[@RonnieGreher]

Great video Douglas. Thanks for creating this. I might just order this, even though I'm happy with my current scuttle.

[@frozencrazytuna]

This is currently sold out on your website/amazon. Do these restock frequently? Really wanting to pick one up

[@DouglasSmythe]

frozencrazytuna should be back in wednesday!

[@Alex00789]

Is the scuttle suitabke fir bith soaking the brush and creating lather?

[@DouglasSmythe]

I think i understand your question. Can it work as a brush scuttle too? Yes, if that's your question. You will find a clear description on our website. Cheers!

[@Alex00789]

Sorry. I was asking if you can soak your brush in the scuttle and if you can also create lather in it?

[@michaelestes8360]

Douglas - I have problems regulating the water content in my lather when using a scuttle. Many times it just becomes a foamy, bubbly mess after the first pass. Any tricks or recommendations that you use to keep your lather slick and intact throughout the 3-4 passes?

[@DouglasSmythe]

My biggest motto is "when in doubt, add more water!". In time you will get "the feel" for it.

[@DouglasSmythe]

+Douglas Smythe it also sounds like it's in your wrist. If you want send me a vid of you having this prob and I can give a less vague answer my friend! :) Happy Holidays!

[@michaelestes8360]

+Douglas Smythe thanks for the offer. I'll try and pull something together. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

[@bmccann79]

Hey Douglas, Have you ever thought about designing and selling a shower mirror designed for traditional shaving? I'm a shower shaver and have a hard time finding a place for my brush and soap while I shave. At any rate, if you were to make one, I'd buy it!

[@DouglasSmythe]

+Bryan McCann I have thought of it and actually designed a ceramic, custom one for my own future shower redesign! At this time I stand my brushes up above the slider on my shower. In the past I have made "clips". These articles will help: howtogrowamoustache.com/tricking-out-the-shower-shaving-station/ and howtogrowamoustache.com/do-it-yourself-shaving-brush-mount/ sharpologist.com/2013/08/shaving-in-the-shower.html

[@DouglasSmythe]

+Bryan McCann but to answer your question, I am looking at designing a functional/affordable shower mirror....someday!

[@bmccann79]

Thanks Douglas, I look forward to seeing it sometime in the future!!

[@anthonylowder6687]

Instead of using a scoop of shaving soap can you just put in and use a regular puck of shaving soap like Williams Mug Shaving Soap?

[@DouglasSmythe]

I actually don’t scoop, I “load” the brush off a puck of soap then move the brush over to the scuttle to begin whipping it up. I add water as needed. Yes, you can use any shave soap in a scuttle. (Unless it is a brushless type that doesn’t produce lather)

[@anthonylowder6687]

@@DouglasSmythe Thank you 😁

[@crimson35124]

will you be making more? i used mine everyday but just today i slipped and shattered mine =(

[@DouglasSmythe]

crimson35124 yep, more on the way. We are also releasing our Shatterproof version this Monday! Get on our newsletter list to stay posted! bitchn-newsletter.com

[@Diver6127]

I must contradict the boiling water content. I do use boiling water. I put it in the scuttle but it will cool off after a regular shower of about 15-20 minutes

[@DouglasSmythe]

Then that’s not boiling water my friend! ;)

[@edwardpodgora8631]

Hi! What is the weight of the bowl for shaving?

[@DouglasSmythe]

14.09 oz and it holds 12 oz of water.

[@Droladnap]

Why... are you such a good salesman.... it’s like every time I see one of your videos I want to buy some other thing.

[@DouglasSmythe]

Droladnap it’s called passion baby! :)

[@Fernando-fr5cu]

is the scuttle in stock now?

[@DouglasSmythe]

+Fernando Abreu yes sir!

[@Fernando-fr5cu]

It says is out of stock on the crown king shaving website...just went in

[@DouglasSmythe]

+Fernando Abreu not sure whatcha mean? They are in stock on my end? Maybe clear your cache? or just head to Phoenix!

[@Fernando-fr5cu]

Went to phoenix....and ordered

[@DouglasSmythe]

+Fernando Abreu thank you sir!

[@lockwood124]

On the verge of pulling the trigger on one of these, and the fact that is nearly half the cost of others on the market.... Way to hard not to order....