I tried a coffee mug couldn't get away with one, found it too small to get a decent lather in so face lathered for a while. Now all I use to build my lather is a cereal bowl straight from the kitchen I find it to be a decent size to fill and sit my brush in to soak before my shave. It's not too big that my arm's running a marathon, or too small that I'm hitting the brush off the edge. Then it's to the dishwasher and back in the kitchen. I'm a cold water shaver so keeping my lather warm isn't a concern for my daily routine, and hence don't see a use for a scuttle.