SMF

Another great post and pics, Joel!!
I do similarly, as Todd, with the micro-waved water... thanks also to this site.....

But I do have one question..............

WHERE THE HECK DO I FIND ROOM IN MY "LOO" FOR ALL THE PARAPHERNALIA ???????

Thanks again,

Gramps

Joel -

FANTASTIC and easy to understand explanation.

Though this will seem overly simplistic to you, for the newbie I think it would be extremely helpful if you had a pictorial presentation on the various general methods of lathering, starting with the simple direct-to-face, and concluding with your Comprehensive Guide To Building Superlative Lather. Just put yourself in the newbie's shoes (remember this chap literally knows nothing about using a brush). We want to start him off slowly. So perhaps something like this:

1. Direct to face lathering

2. In the hand lathering

3. In the bowl lathering

4. Advanced lathering

I talk to newbies all the time, and you'd be amazed how many haven't a clue how to get cream onto the brush or how to lather. I would not want to present such a person with a "complicated" lathering technique.

For retailers - both members and lurkers - we would have a place to direct newbies for a simple visual presentation.

As for your next project, Shaving with a DE. Since there is a growing interest in the DE because of Corey Greenberg's Today show presentation, I can't tell you how valuable it would be to me to have a place to send newbies for a pictorial guide on the correct use of a DE. Most of these chaps are coming off of electric razors or Mach3's, and they don't have a clue how to use a DE. Obviously, there is no frigging way they're going to enjoy it if they don't know the basics.

As I mentioned in a previous post in another section of this forum, ALL you chaps in some way are posting information that is very valuable to retailers.

Again, FABULOUS post!

Regards,
Charles
Q E D

Bravo, Joel!

Very nice indeed. I, too, do a similar routine, but alas, I do not have enough counter space on "my" side of the sink areas for the Rival pot . My wife has already indicated what is her counter area around her sink.

So I am relegated to heating up the water in the kitchen microwave. I originally hinted at a tiny counter-top microwave (to heat up the water and maybea hot towel or two), but that took up more of her space than the Rival pot.

Oh well. Again, well done, Joel. Do carry on!

Cheers,
Richard
North Texas

Joel,
That shaving bowl that you use is very unique. What are the dimensions of that bowl? It looks fairly wide and not too deep. It's difficult to get a good idea based on your pics. I've been using a latte mug, and while it works, its very difficult to get a good lather using a small amount of cream.

Great pictorial/lesson Joel! You said you got that water boiler at Target? We don't have a store nearby, so I looked on the Target website, but they don't have anything like this. What is it called exactly?

~Tim

Tim, Joel can confirm or refute but I suspect it's the Rival 4071 as shown here:

http://www.rivalproducts.com/eStore/pro ... uctId=9095

You should also be able to find it on amazon and at other e-retailers

Thanks for the tips, guys! I did a bit o' googlin' and found pages of kettles/hot pots/teamakers...on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/br ... 61-0555849.
Like I said, the various websites (Walmart, Walgreens...) don't list them (or they don't seem to).

~Tim

Joel,

Thank you for the welcome-- thanks even more for your tireless commitment and abundantly helpful contributions to this board-- all very interesting and very much appreciated.

Mike

I went out last night and bought my water boiler. It's the same exact one as Joel's. I searched at Target and Walmart but neither did not have it. I decided to try Savon and they carried it.

Joel,

How much difference do you think it makes between the hot tap water and boiling water. Is there a signifigant difference between your shaves if you were to compare?

Well guys,

I too took the plunge and bought the Rival hot pot water boiler. This thing is awesome. It has taken my shaves to a whole other level. It has also renewed my faith in Simpson. Apparently my Super Polo 12 brush performs at a whole other level when using very very hot water. I dip my brush in the heated water and it sucks up the hot water like a sponge. I can then maintain a very hot and hydrated lather with ease.

I would also say that the brush becomes very soft when dipped in near boiling water. The stiffness that I have always observed in the Simpson is almost non-existent when using water this hot. Very very impressive overall. Thanks Joel for this highly valuable lesson!

Vince

Here in Ontario, I found this at Wal-Mart but under the Procter-Silex brandname, also called the Hot Pot. Price was $19.99 CDN, which is a bit of a ripoff considering they seem to be available in the US for $10 USD.

Wal-Mart also had an appliance made by Sunbeam called the Hot Shot, which is something like a small coffee maker...meant for boiling a couple of cups of water in about 1 minute for coffee, tea, instant soup etc. It also sold for $19.99, but may fit on the counter a little better. Push one button to heat the water, push another to dispense as needed.

I bought both items, will test them out to see how well they work and will post the results.

Neil - Don't feel to bad, the Sunbeam Hot Shot sells for $19.99 down here in the US. I don't know the exact exchange rate but you didn't get cheated that much on the Sunbeam. I look forward to seeing your results.

Justin

I ran a "pot" of water through the Sunbeam Hot Shot tonight, just to check it out. It heated the water to boiling very quickly, probably no more than one minute. I could see the bubbles forming almost instantly.

Although this would make less hot water than the Hot Pot, the amount made would still be sufficient for shaving. I haven't tried the Hot Pot yet, but the Sunbeam may be a little faster as it has less water to heat (of course, that depends on how much water you put into each!).

It fits on my vanity nicely, the base is about 6 inches across and maybe 14 inches tall (I'm approximating here as I haven't measured...if anyone needs precise measurements let me know and I'll measure it more accurately). I found that the bowl I use for making lather fits nicely on the stand beneath the water outlet, and the water dispensed nicely without any splashing. Altogether, I'm impressed with this unit so far, and it seems like another good option and a nice alternative to the Hot Pot. I'll have my first shave using it in the morning.

Joel: This pictorial is great. Real quality stuff. Maybe Corey can hook up to this as a link perhaps, since he is getting the word out?

Have you ditched your latherking in favor of this? i had a pot like this in my dorm room years ago for soups. cold pizza and soup for lunch at times, quick before ball or my job.

i shave in the shower much, so the semi-hot stream of water constantly helps. but when i sink shave with the straight, that water quickly cools and this hot pot thing would be awesome. ill have to get me a $10 boiler at walmart and check it out. i also need to get a mug to swirl the lather in. i can use a coffee cup for the brush soak

sam

Hey guys!
I found out that Walgreens has the "Kitchen Gourmet Hot Pot" for $9.99US here. I plan to take a look at it tomorrow, but I did put a snap of it in my "Shaving Equipment" album. Joel: Excellent pictorial/tutorial! The pic with the cream on your finger actually looks DELICIOUS! I'd be surprised if you weren't tempted to take a lick, hehe!
Larry: I'm surprised to hear you've got PARAPHERNALIA! I was once accused of owning PORNOGRAPHY, but like I told the cops, I don't even own a PORNOGRAPH anymore! I used to, but it was one of those old Victrola's with the hand crank, hehe!

Have a good one y'all!
~Tim