Captain's Choice Bowl has changed my mind about bowl lathering

I've been at this wet shaving for 47 years.

I'm a face latherer. No fuss, wet the brush, load the brush, and go.

I've tried bowl lathering before, and never found it added much to the experience. Not for lack of trying, mind you. I've tried every conceivable bowl, even used one of the bowls I used when I was studying the Japanese Tea Ceremony. I've had several custom bowls made by artisans, and while they're beautiful to look at, they really didn't add much to the save.

Of course, I've heard of the Captain's Choice bowls, and the raves some have posted about it, but I thought, eh, another shave bowl.

Don't know why, but the other day, I ordered one from a respected retailer.

A couple of days ago, after putting up my usual first-pass lather on my face, I whisked the brush and a few drops of water in the Captain's Choice bowl.

I was gobsmacked. The lather exploded.

I spent some time yesterday experimenting with different brushes, synthetic and both Manchurian and Silvertip badgers. Also with tallow and non-tallow soaps. In every case, the lather that I was able to produce in a very short time was just beautiful.

The size is perfect, and I may just have to incorporate this into my routine.

I just ordered a few more, large ones for my 30mm brushes, and a couple because my better half liked the colors.

Perhaps an old dog can be taught new tricks...

Glad it's worked out! I almost bought one myself many times, but I usually just face lather too.

I've been at this wet shaving for 47 years.

I'm a face latherer. No fuss, wet the brush, load the brush, and go.

I've tried bowl lathering before, and never found it added much to the experience. Not for lack of trying, mind you. I've tried every conceivable bowl, even used one of the bowls I used when I was studying the Japanese Tea Ceremony. I've had several custom bowls made by artisans, and while they're beautiful to look at, they really didn't add much to the save.

Of course, I've heard of the Captain's Choice bowls, and the raves some have posted about it, but I thought, eh, another shave bowl.

Don't know why, but the other day, I ordered one from a respected retailer.

A couple of days ago, after putting up my usual first-pass lather on my face, I whisked the brush and a few drops of water in the Captain's Choice bowl.

I was gobsmacked. The lather exploded.

I spent some time yesterday experimenting with different brushes, synthetic and both Manchurian and Silvertip badgers. Also with tallow and non-tallow soaps. In every case, the lather that I was able to produce in a very short time was just beautiful.

The size is perfect, and I may just have to incorporate this into my routine.

I just ordered a few more, large ones for my 30mm brushes, and a couple because my better half liked the colors.

Perhaps an old dog can be taught new tricks...

It's a great bowl. The grooves in the bottom really help.


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Have you ever listened to the late Alan Watts' lecture on the tea ceremony? He talked about a bowl that was broken and expertly mended using gold much like lead in stained glass. it became such a wonder of beauty it became the most sought after item in Japan. Isn't it fascinating how a simple item can be crafted and produce superior service? I just finished a
cuppa Earl Grey in my WW2 Brown Betty.

The last time I decided to try a bowl for lathering (which was a few weeks ago), I quickly realized why I no longer use that method. The lather had too much air in it by the time I was ready to apply it, and it just wasn’t the relatively heavy, glistening lather that I tend to aim for.

I’ve noticed a similar thing happening when I compare photos of lathers that people have made in bowls compared to lathers people have made on their face or in the palms of their hands. (Bowl lathers tend to be matte, face and palm lathers are often more shiny.)

Michael, were you able to keep the lather rich & creamy instead of fluffy & airy, and if so — how?

Matsilainen YES! That's what 'gobsmacked' me about the Captain's Choice bowl.

The lather was heavy, great sheen, and did not have an 'airy' texture. I've always found, like you have, that face lathering got me to the lather I prefer (good sheen, very slippery, not a whole lot of cushion) better than bowl lathering. Plus, face lathering is easier-wet, load, go.

But the lather in the Captain's Choice bowl was extremely rich. I used a Simpson Chubby 2 Manchurian, Chubby 3 Manchurian, SV 2.0, Paladin PK-47, a Stirling Kong synthetic, and a Envy Black Wolf Synthetic in testing. The lather was better in the CC bowl than the other bowls I've used, and maybe a bit better than my face lathering.

And KAV YES, I have heard that lecture by Alan Watts. It was a spark that got me interested in tea ceremony. My Chado sensei had us respect the bowl as if it were the most valuable object in the world, whether it was a humble chawan done by a student or a treasure from 17th Century Japan. I see so many parallels in the tea ceremony and shaving. It's about so much more than the tea or the shave, but the whole process!

Anyway, this 'humble' Captain's Choice bowl has impressed me very much.

Here's a picture of it in the foreground with some of the other bowls I've used, with some of my tea bowls that I've tried as well. The second pic is a closeup of the Cobalt Captain's Choice.

"Here's a picture of it in the foreground with some of the other bowls I've used, with some of my tea bowls that I've tried as well. The second pic is a closeup of the Cobalt Captain's Choice."

Seems to me you have an outstanding collection of bowls already, perhaps it is not just the bowl but a bit of the side effect of RAD you are going through. If I am wrong and this really is true love, well I would not want that lovely lime dish with the bumps sitting to the extreme left to to start feeling bad about itself, we can provide a warm healthy environment here where it feel good again.

I’m glad to hear that the bowl works so well, and it is also very nice to look at.

The last time I decided to try a bowl for lathering (which was a few weeks ago), I quickly realized why I no longer use that method. The lather had too much air in it by the time I was ready to apply it, and it just wasn’t the relatively heavy, glistening lather that I tend to aim for.

I’ve noticed a similar thing happening when I compare photos of lathers that people have made in bowls compared to lathers people have made on their face or in the palms of their hands. (Bowl lathers tend to be matte, face and palm lathers are often more shiny.)

Michael, were you able to keep the lather rich & creamy instead of fluffy & airy, and if so — how?

I tend to agree. I really prefer the process of building lather on the face and find that it creates a much better outcome. I also have a Captain's Choice bowl that I use primarily for samples or very soft soaps that are a pain to load out of the container. It is a nice product for sure and I'm glad you were able to produce some quality lather with it Michael.

Thanks, Jeff.

I've always been primarily a face shaver also; one, because I prefer it, and two, I'm not very good at bowl lathering.

For some reason the Captain's Choice bowl solved a lot of the issues I had with bowl lathering, and it's going to be useful when I decide to add 'extras' to the lather mix as the shave progresses.

Your tip about putting a bit of soap directly in the bottom of the bowl is a good one. I'm going to try this for soaps that I enjoy despite the fact that they are in awkwardly shaped containers-Santa Maria Novella for example.