I think you will enjoy shaving with a str8 Arthur , you have the right attitude . I hope you get the razor you want , soon . If you go the e-bay route , you can't go wrong with a seller called "altima55" . He usually has 5 or 6 vintage shave ready razors , every week . I have 2 razors I got from him , and they are impeccably clean and super sharp . BTW there's nothing wrong with Van Der Hagen soap , I think it's great soap . Although I am going to try some Mama Bear soap and see how I like it . Happy shaving . .....Dave