Shave scuttle options

[edit - How did I not see Tedolph's post before?]

A proper scuttle (which once belonged to my grandfather):



Y'all are talking about a "double-walled-lather-mug-that-you-fill-up-with-hot-water", that do not look like a coal scuttle at all, which is where their name came from.



That being said, I do this:



It's a 4" diameter thin-walled stainless steel bowl that floats (even with the brush in it) in the sink full of hot water. It keeps the lather and brush warm all through the process.
Just imagine if your double-walled shaving mug could hold a gallon of hot water?
This wall is better because it transfers heat to the lather immediately.

The only drawback is that I cannot use brushes with long handles.

In case you're wondering, the soap is a local product I bought at the Farmers Market. They thought it was a good idea to add crushed flax seeds to it. I have not convinced them otherwise.

Something I figured out about using a proper scuttle.

Recall that a puck of Williams Mug soap has a "crater" on both sides.



So does a Godrej Shaving Round (which I used in the shave-of-the-day photo in my previous post):



They've both been around a while, almost as long as proper scuttles, right?

What I learned was that if you place the soap in the top of of a proper scuttle they fit perfectly. Pour the hot water onto the top of the puck, letting the excess water drain through the holes into the lower section. Let the puddle of water (held by the bowl-shaped top of the puck) sit there a while and allow the soap to bloom.
After a few minutes you have nice mushy layer of soap that easily whips up into a creamy lather.
For the next pass, dip the brush into the water in the bottom and work the top of the puck again. 
Don't expect mountains of lather prøn, just some nice slick lather.

So the rim (on the soap puck) is there for a reason.

Those are fantastic posts, John Rose , and that scuttle (thanks for the correct spelling) is a beauty. Yours is like the ones I used to see in antique stores. Mine is modern, from Japan I think? Also, your explanation of the old Williams puck is sure to be correct. I find that even with modern triple milled hard soaps, they always benefit from blooming and the bloom water makes a great pre-shave. Those old timers were on to something. Also, wyze0ne , the nice thing about the old fashioned scuttle is that the rim around the "mouth" keeps your brush from falling in so that only the bristles get soaked, not the handle. The only issue with the old scuttles is that modern soaps are not the right size to fit and you have to cut them up. Not a big deal but for some reason I don't like to do it. I will look for the Godrej soap. Is that from a eastern European country? Is it hard to find? How does it perform? Tallow based I hope.

... I will look for the Godrej soap.  Is that from a eastern European country?  Is it hard to find?  How does it perform?  Tallow based I hope.

It is (was?) from India. I got it a few years ago as part of a PIF. They used to be cheaper than Williams Mug or Arko sticks. Maggards still lists it, but is "out of stock". 
It performs well enough for me, but I'm not all that fussy. Probably at least as well as Williams or Arko.

No tallow. 

Potassium palmate, potassium stearate, potassium cocoate, glycerine, titanium dioxide, perfume

I gather that "Godrej Shaving Round Soap" is discontinued by that name, and is now made by Delmy, sold under their brand name as "Delmy Shaving Round Soap".
The alleged "barber shop fragrance" totally reminds me of "Snap", a hand cleaner that has pumice powder in it. The version (of Snap) that I remember smelled like anise.

[later] Holy Clumping Cat Litter! *
Williams Mug is going for US$36-$50 for a single puck on Amazon now?

* an interjection I invented for PG-13 contexts.