I would like to ask this as a question, but use it as an invitation for some older members to let us know how much you have invested in Straight Razor Shaving, and how much you invested before your first shave?

I thought I could find a cheap ebay razor, sharpen it and start using a straight razor for under $20 within a week. After finding this forum, I will probably avoid a lot of mistakes, but have invested much more than originally considered.

I purchased an $18 razor on ebay and will spend $30-70 more by a honemeister here to hone and possibly re-scale. I then purchased a shave ready beauty in BST for $100 and plan to get started with that. I am going to get all other accessories from vendors here in the forum which should run another $175. This will total (roughly) $300-$400 before my first shave!!! I would never have planned to spend this much, but now I am afraid to use a cheap razor, blow my money on a useless brush or strop, and would only save $50-100 buying lower quality products than what was recommended by members here. I know this is a long message so...

How much spent before first shave?
How much invested total to support our hobby?

Thanks for your participation and advice!!!