After a blistering summer here in South Africa, winter is approaching and the weather is finally cooling down. This is an ideal time to share some information about shaving scuttles.
The traditonal shaving scuttle dates back to the days before running water and indoor plumbing. The normal practice was to boil up water on the stove early in the morning, and then fill up all the relevant vessels in the household, so that everyoone could go through their morning routine. Part of this procedure involved filling up Dad’s shaving scuttle with hot water. This is one of the main reasons vintage shaving scuttles have such a distinctive shape.
Vintage Shaving scuttles are found in various shapes and sizes but all of them share a few common characteristics. (see figure 1). There was a shallower upper section (normally with holes / vents in it) and a much wider bottom section with a large broad spout.
Many people see these types of shaving scuttle in antique shops and fairs and don’t realise that these were actually meant for shaving. The way it works is that the wider bottom section is filled with hot water, and soap is kept in the vented section above. This allows steam to warm up and soften the soap. The reason for the wider spout is not only for ease of filling and emptying, but also allows the shaver to soak their shave brush in the warm water. The vintage scuttle allowed the shaver to carry a small store of warm water as well as soap and brush all in one convenient holder. (see figure 2)
The advent of running water, indoor plumbing and water heating systems has led to evolution of the shave scuttle into the double-wall design that we see most commonly today. The modern shaving scuttle is still divided into two sections, but normally has a much wider inner bowl section. There is a space between the inner bowl and outer wall that is filled up with hot water. This keeps the inner bowl warm.
Soap / Cream can then be whipped up inside the inner bowl and the lather stays warm. Modern scuttle designs still vary in shapes and sizes. Some are made so that the inner bowl is removable (see figure 3), others have the inner bowl fixed. (see figure 4). The large brush soaking spout is no longer required since most people soak their brush in the innner bowl (or another mug), and a ready supply of warm water on tap means you won’t need the large reservoir of water insisde the scuttle.
An important saftey tip when using modern ceramic scuttles is to always place the scuttle on a sturdy flat surface, on top of a towel. This will prevent the hot water from sloshing around inside the scuttle, and lessen the risk of the scuttle slipping and breaking. Always be safe when working with hot water.
The warm lather on a cold day feels fantastic on the skin, and adds another layer to the sensory shaving experience. Take care, stay safe, and keep on shaving.
