TGQ wooden shaving soap bowl .

dave5225 · 03-01-2008, 01:28 AM

I just received my wooden shaving soap bowl , from The Gentleman's Quarters

. The workmanship is impeccable , the fit and finish is excellent . They are available in light or dark wood , and cost less than $7.00 . I have the light wood , and I'm going to get one made from dark wood , on my next order . On the scale of 1-10 , I give it a 10 , along with her soaps , which I also give a 10

.

bbshriver · 03-01-2008, 02:03 AM

I have one of these on order... looking forward to it. One question I had, and I think is answered on their site... when I shave I'll fill up the sink with super hot water and drop my soap pot in it, so the pot heats all up and keeps lather warm. Do you see any problem doing this with the wood bowl? the site says waterproof so I think that means it's ok.. just wondering.

Philadelph · 03-01-2008, 03:49 AM

I have the dark wood one and like it a lot! It says waterproof on the site and it definitely is. I asked Colleen what they finish it with to give it the finish it has and she didn't know. Said she had to check with the supplier. It is a strange finish as it doesn't look at all protected but does the job very well. As for soaking it? I don't know, I doubt it'll hurt it unless there is any open spot in the wood that wasn't treated. Seems to me like they must soak it in its finish or something from the way it looks.

gugi · 03-01-2008, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbshriver

when I shave I'll fill up the sink with super hot water and drop my soap pot in it, so the pot heats all up and keeps lather warm. Do you see any problem doing this with the wood bowl?

If I were you I wouldn't do it. I use Colleen's soaps and I don't find them in need of any soaking. What I do is run the brush under warm water, may be one light shake and then put it on top of the soap briefly while I'm drying out of the shower. Few swirls to get some soap on the brush, then I lather on my face, I'd estimate it takes 15s, but one of these days I'll time it. I then strop my razor, relather and shave. Plenty of lather for 5-6 passes, even though I don't do that, but there's a lot of lather on the brush at the end of the shave.
I do use pretty nice badger brush though, a different brush may need a bit more work.

bbshriver · 03-01-2008, 04:04 AM

I don't soak the soap... the soap sits in the bowl which remains dry.. on the inside. I put the bowl into the sink and soak the outside to warm the bowl so lather stays warm.... sorta like a scuttle but without the 2 layer dealie. My 2 current bowls are a sort of clay/cermaic stuff.. not sure how it would work with wood...

gugi · 03-01-2008, 07:56 PM

Well, if you want to use that bowl as a scuttle I'd still say the idea doesn't seem too good. The thermal conductivity of wood is 10x less than that of porcelain which means that it'll take you 10x longer to heat the inside of it (if the thickness of the wood bowl was the same as that of the porcelain, I bet it's thicker so multiply by that factor as well).

If you are going to fill the sink with water anyways, I don't see why not just have a cup/mug/bowl made out of glass/ceramic/metal in it. It's the warm water enclosure (large heat capacity) that ensures it would remain warm. The reason for the double layer is that you can use much less water than filling up your sink and placing a bowl there.

As far as I understand the soap bowls are meant as a container for the soap, not as a place to build lather or keep your brush. There are better alternatives for the later and it looks like you have already used them. However, if you feel adventurous try it out and see for yourself. In the worst case you'll damage the bowl, and will have to get another one.

Bruce · 03-01-2008, 11:21 PM

gugi is right. Why try to push Mother Nature? Actually one can try to push Mother Nature, but it will be never enough to get her to fall over and then she pushes back. If the resins used to finish the bowl fail, the soaked bowl will likely crack. Ceramic or corrosion resistant metal are much better materials for sink soaking. A scuttle comes to mind as an even grander vessel for heating the suds making materials and keeping the suds warm once made.

good luck

dave5225 · 03-01-2008, 11:43 PM

I also don't reccommend soaking the bowl in water , I think it would float , anyway . I do plan on making my lather in it , however .

bbshriver · 03-02-2008, 12:35 AM

good point on floating.. for some reason that didn't occur to me.
We shall see... I was ordering a brush holder and got a bit carried away TGQ site (orderd a coupla soaps also). Bowl looked pretty and wasn't expensive so figured it'd be worth a try since I'll have 3 soaps and only 2 bowls. I suppose I could just use a coffee mug...

I have yet to find what looks like a good scuttle at a good price... I'm a college student so this whole $200+ shaving experiment is quite a stretch to begin with.

Bruce · 03-02-2008, 01:31 AM

bb,

There are some pictures around here somewhere showing a Georgetown Pottery scuttle. I called and spoke to them (toll free to Maine) and found out the scuttle has a lathering bowl about 4 3/4" wide at the mouth and is about 3 1/2" deep. Just about perfect for me and making suds. The cost is $38 + $8 shipping + $3 packing. The bees knees are shamed in comparison. And you can pick a color from what's shown on their website. Google for Georgetown Pottery.

bb,

Another option is the ceramic bowl of just the right size for your mixing the soap or cream: fill it with the hottest water you can and let it sit in the bottom of your sink; rinse you brush in the same very hot water; either load the brush with soap after you've shaken out most of the water, empty the bowl, mix suds - adding a touch of hot water as needed, or put a dab of cream in the bottom of the bowl and with a brush not shaken out a well as for loading with soap, make suds - adding a bit of water as needed. From one of the discount stores this is about a $3 deal.

Shaun · 03-02-2008, 02:45 AM

To get back on track, the TGQ wooden bowl is beautiful. I fully intended on using it to load my brush, but once it arrived with my Leatherneck soap, I couldnt do it. I just use the creme for now. So, I have an unopened puck of Leatherneck in my bowl that I simply look at... I love it, maybe my next order I'll get another one and actually load a brush with it. Bottom line, get one, you wont regret it.

dave5225 · 03-07-2008, 10:11 PM

I know what you mean , Shaun . The bowl is almost too nice to use , but I've been using mine for a week , and haven't had any problems . The sides are too low to make a good lather , but I do load my brush . After I'm finished shaving , I pour out whatever water might be in the bowl , let it air dry for about an hour , and then put the lid back on the bowl .

churley · 03-20-2008, 10:09 PM

Afternoon Gents,

I'm trying to catch up on visits and surfing around a bit, when I noticed this thread and I'm gonna see if I can pick it back up just to ask a few questions.

Yes....I do have the wood bowls and they are nice for the cost, but I also have nicer bowls! I need to start pouring soap into these, but I'm not sure how close I should pour to the rim of the bowl ??? Any suggestions ??

I attached a picture or two of the new bowls and one of the bowls that I currently sell and will continue to sell, because I think it's nice to have a choice when it comes to spending money.

These bowls are hand finished while the others are machined. What's really cool is they turned a small number of these bowls to fit the one ounce soaps. They're the perfect size for a gift and after you use up the soap, you could order another 1 oz. size refill or use it to keep your cuff links in. ( Do men still wear cuff links ?) ....maybe your change aye.

You can see the bowls are nice, they have been cut to fit TGQ brand shaving soaps. So you can buy a bowl with your soap poured and then order a refill.

So how close do I pour to the rim ?

Soapmistress

dave5225 · 03-21-2008, 12:19 AM

Hi Colleen , the bowl I bought is still working fine , with no ill effects from use

. In regards to the soap bowl question , I would prefer at least 1/2" space from the rim of the bowl for the 1oz. size , and at least 3/4" for the 3 oz. size . BTW , those are GREAT looking bowls !

Kenrup · 03-21-2008, 04:14 AM

I already have four of the older bowls! Here I go again.

As far as pouring level, I have an AOS teak with soap. I was up to the top. I use a lathering bowl so it doesn't make any difference to me. It is nice to see a bowl filled. I makes me think I got my monies worth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by churley

Afternoon Gents,

I'm trying to catch up on visits and surfing around a bit, when I noticed this thread and I'm gonna see if I can pick it back up just to ask a few questions.

Yes....I do have the wood bowls and they are nice for the cost, but I also have nicer bowls! I need to start pouring soap into these, but I'm not sure how close I should pour to the rim of the bowl ??? Any suggestions ??

I attached a picture or two of the new bowls and one of the bowls that I currently sell and will continue to sell, because I think it's nice to have a choice when it comes to spending money.

These bowls are hand finished while the others are machined. What's really cool is they turned a small number of these bowls to fit the one ounce soaps. They're the perfect size for a gift and after you use up the soap, you could order another 1 oz. size refill or use it to keep your cuff links in. ( Do men still wear cuff links ?) ....maybe your change aye.

You can see the bowls are nice, they have been cut to fit TGQ brand shaving soaps. So you can buy a bowl with your soap poured and then order a refill.

So how close do I pour to the rim ?

Soapmistress

churley · 03-21-2008, 11:38 AM

Good Morning Gentlemen,

Thank you for your comments! Now a few more questions....... I have never really understood about shaving soap and making lather.

After soaking your brush, do you then load the brush with shaving soap and transfer to another bowl to make your lather or do you make lather on your face?

Or do you mostly use the shaving bowl with the soap in it....to make the lather ?

Now I understand the above methods are a matter of personal technique, but I'm trying to find a broad stroke in this painting, because I have more and more customers who asks me

and I'm not sure of the answer, so I always refer them to SRP, but professionally speaking.....if I'm gonna be in the shaving business then I need to educate myself a little better.

Soapmistress

Kenrup · 03-21-2008, 01:49 PM

Hi Colleen,

This link is a collection of videos from YouTube on making lather. I have an sometimes made lather in all the method you mention. I get my best lather experience when I use a lather bowl. I like your older bowls as they are just the right size for me to hold the soap and for loading the brush. I then build the lather in another bowl. Your bowls are plenty big to build a lather. I transfer my loaded brush to a scuttle during my shave. With a scuttle filled with hot water keeps my loaded brush nice and warm through my save. When I'm traveling I don't take bowls so build the lather on my face. Or sometimes in my hand. I hope this gives you some insight.

jnich67 · 03-21-2008, 02:20 PM

Different strokes...

I load the brush up with soap and go right building lather on my face.

Jordan

kasperitis · 03-21-2008, 02:53 PM

I load my brush using a mug and then transfer to a lather bowl. When I order my next batch of soap from you, I'm gonna get a few bowls from you, but I'll still just use them to hold the soap and load my brush.

Philadelph · 03-21-2008, 09:42 PM

I for one always lather straight from the brush to my face and it works out well with your soap. I might need to add water some. It is once again personal preference, but those links Ken posted should have it all covered.