Scuttle is optional, it's a vessel designed to keep lather warm while you shave. They normally have a void that you fill with hot water, (like a double boiler). You build lather in the scuttle. You could load your brush from the mug then build in the scuttle, or load from the soap container, or shave cream container and transfer it to the scuttle. Not needed, nice to have.. A mug and brush is just fine as is....