Kronos London

Kronos London: safety razors and classic shaving

Kronos London is a British firm specialising in double-edge safety razors and the consumables and accessories associated with traditional wet shaving. Its approach centres on a single blade, in contrast to disposable multi-blade cartridges, and on the idea that shaving tools should last a lifetime. The company sells through its own online store and structures its catalogue into five collections.

The single-blade mechanism

The company explains that every Kronos razor starts from the same mechanism: a single blade that cuts at the surface of the skin. According to its description, multi-blade cartridges pull the hair up so that the trailing blades cut below the skin, which, in its view, causes irritation and bumps. Against that, it advocates a slower, more careful shave, with one blade cutting at the surface. The firm states that this approach is backed by dermatologists.

Catalogue: razors, accessories and consumables

The catalogue is organised into five collections. The Safety Razors for Men collection includes the Kronos Safety Razor, available in chrome or bamboo, along with three ready-made Portico ritual sets and two razor-and-accessory packs. The accessories section brings together stands in rose gold, bamboo or chrome, a synthetic shaving brush and wooden and marble lathering bowls. It also includes the Blade Bank, a container that seals a hundred used blades for safe disposal.

The Blades and Care collection groups the consumables: double-edge blades that, according to the company, deliver between four and seven shaves each, plus shaving soaps and creams formulated without alcohol, petroleum or sulphates. The range is completed by aftershave balms with witch hazel and no added alcohol.

The Shaving Gift Sets package a razor, accessories and consumables for someone starting from scratch; options run from a three-piece set to the nine-piece Marble Suite Set. The Order Ritual Sets collection offers the same three ritual sets as a subscription: blades, soap and cream arrive at a frequency chosen by the customer.

Guarantee, returns and shipping

The company states that every Kronos razor carries a lifetime guarantee: it promises to replace it if it breaks. Orders from any collection can be returned within 100 days of receipt, with shipping included. In the UK, delivery is free over £50. Handles ship in plastic-free packaging.

Subscription and flexibility

The Portico subscription service lets customers receive blades, soap and cream at an agreed frequency. The company notes that the customer can adjust the rhythm, skip a shipment or cancel at any time, with no commitment. Standard double-edge blades can be bought anywhere, so there is no tie to proprietary cartridges.

Materials and product philosophy

Kronos London insists on the use of solid materials and on avoiding plastic wherever possible. The razor handle is solid metal and only the blade is replaced. The firm presents its tools as objects designed to be handed down, not replaced, and frames shaving as a five-minute ritual that follows what, it claims, a century of barbering has proven.

Editorial content and resources

The store includes its own publications such as The Chronicle, The Wet Shaving Guide and The Shaving Industry Report, as well as a guide on how to shave with a single blade. It also offers an advisory service called Consult the Oracle, which helps set up the complete ritual, including refills, and choose a suitable frequency.