I've been on the lookout for a new lathering bowl for a while now but nothing Ive brought home so far has been more than mediocre mainly i think because the insides are too smooth. Anyway, the mortar has a nice rough surface which really helps in the lathering process. Today's lather was the best i have ever made. If you gents have a few dollars to spare, I highly recommend making a purchase. Of course if you don't like it you could always use it for its original purpose, plus it comes in cool colours and looks good so at the very least your money wont be totally wasted.
Ravi its a good weight......not heavy or light but it feels really solid when you hold it and as Stan mentioned in the '06 thread it heats really well.
Nice - can be had cheaper, and probably 90-95% as good, in other brands.
I bought one at IKEA. I don't use it for lathering, just for its intended purpose. The IKEA model I have is quite heavy, plain white, with an unfinished interior.
I use a non smooth stone mortar also....the slight roughness in the stone really agitates up a nice lather...asian and latino stores usually carry them for very little money...
has a post claim this happened. Another post give the solution of sanding the inside of the mortar.
LOL
The mortar compared to my face after a day of not shaving is like comparing silk to glass shards! If a mortar damaged brushes imagine what the face latherers (new word for OED consideration) must be going through in terms of brush damage!!
no my beard isnt rock hard but its a lot rougher than the ceramic and its the roughness that was brought up as a brush destroyer which I think is nonsense....BUT, I will let you guys know if i see any real damage to my brush