Marble Suite Set

A solid marble shaving bowl, shaped and polished by hand in Agra. Micro-ridges line the inside, giving the brush something to work against; the soap loads faster and the lather comes up thick. Its weight keeps it planted on the side while you work. Lathering in a bowl takes a few minutes more than foam from a can; that is rather the point. Warm it under the hot tap and the stone holds the heat, keeping the lather warm to the last pass.

A storage tray cut from solid marble and polished to a high lustre in Agra. Three drainage holes run straight through the centre: set the razor and brush down wet, the water leaves on its own, and everything dries where it stands. Between shaves it keeps the kit in one place worth looking at: a vanity tray made to stay out on the side. Marble is heavier than it strictly needs to be; that is much of its charm. It will not slide, and it will not ask to be replaced.

One stand for the full setup. It holds any Kronos safety razor and the shaving brush, both upright, both drying properly between uses; the brush hangs bristles-down, which keeps its shape and extends its life.

Weighted base, no wobble, one tidy footprint. If the shelf is becoming a collection, this is the answer.

A single blade safety razor built to be kept. The enclosed head covers the blade corners, the cause of most nicks; one blade cuts at the surface, which is why it's kinder to skin than five stacked cartridges.

No plastic in either version. Two handles: chrome-plated zinc alloy, knurled and weighted, or natural bamboo, warmer in the hand. Add the matching stand and the blade dries upright between shaves; a dry edge lasts longer.

There is a short learning curve; we won't pretend otherwise. Short strokes, light pressure, settled by the third shave for most. Guidance included. Takes any standard double edge blade, around ten pence a shave.

A shaving brush in soft synthetic fibre; vegan, quick to dry, holds its shape. It does two jobs the hand can't: builds a dense lather from soap or cream, and lifts the beard so the blade meets it cleanly rather than pressed flat.

Synthetic dries faster than badger and asks for no upkeep. Store it bristles-down on the stand between shaves.

A traditional shaving soap with a warm sandalwood scent. Loaded with a damp brush it builds a dense, cushioning lather; the blade rides on the cushion rather than the skin.

One 100g bar outlasts several cans of foam, with no propellant and nothing to landfill. Best built in a bowl; ours is carved to fit it.

Double edge razor blades in Swedish stainless steel, ground evenly across the full width. A mild 12N edge; keen enough to cut cleanly, gentle enough for sensitive skin. Most people get four to seven shaves per blade.

Double sided, individually wrapped. They fit all Kronos razors and any standard double edge razor.

A used blade is still sharp, and the bathroom bin is no place for it. The blade bank takes each spent blade through a slot in the top and holds around a hundred; years of shaving for most. Full, it seals shut for safe disposal.

Solid, small, and the kind of object you stop thinking about, which is the point.

A shave leaves skin drier than it began; the aftershave balm puts that back. A lightweight, non-greasy lotion, smoothed on after the final rinse to calm and rehydrate the face. It absorbs quickly and leaves no film. Witch hazel, a gentle astringent, does the calming.

The scent is sandalwood: warm, woody, and matched to our shaving soap, so the ritual ends where it began.

100ml, a few dabs a day. Also in Aegean Citrus.