All of us enjoy passing on our hard-won wisdom. Technical instruction is widely available. There's a lot of YMMV in terms of products, however.

So let's imagine Joe, 18 years old, a thoughtful young man who wants to get into straights and is willing to put his current "hobby" savings into it -- say, $100 - $200. He needs the cheapest, but serviceable, choices

Then there's Jim, a newly retired exec who wants to enjoy life, and after stumbling onto this thread has been misled into believing that straight shaving would be fun, relaxing and fulfilling. He wants the best of everything, and can afford it.

What would you recommend? I'll offer my suggestions, but would be very interested in what others would tell these two chaps.

Razor for Joe: The cheapest new Dovo he can find already honed. Wapis, I understand, are getting hard to find, and many of the restos have a little too much "character" (read: they are finicky), in my experience. Right now the best shaving razor in my rotation is the cheapest one I ever bought, a Best.

Razor for Jim: Whatever custom appeals to him in terms of style and maker.

Soap for Joe: Easy. Omega soap. Cheap, and tolerates almost any combination with water to make a beautiful lather. Rewet, and it comes back just as it ever was. Easier to use than the creams. Great for a noob.

Cream for Jim: T&H Ultimate. (Unless I get really p.o.'d with Jim for being rich and retired and having a better razor than I do. Then: MWF. That'll teach him).

Strop for Joe: Newspaper over a clipboard.

Strop(s) for Jim: Call TM and ask for one of everything.

Oil/Preshave for Joe: Olive oil, unless he wants to splurge a little. Then, J.R. Watkins Aloe and Green Tea Dry Oil Body Mist. Ideal, in my opinion. Available at WalMart -- 4oz spray for $5 (you have to endure going into the ladies' lotion aisle, however).

Oil/Preshave for Jim: Easy. Castle and Forbes "Le Pre-Rasage." Why should I be the only jerk who paid $40 for this stuff?

Brush for Joe: Again, easy. VDH boar.

Brush for Jim: The biggest, most expensive Rooney he can find. Maybe with enough bristles he can actually get a lather going on that MWF.

Balm for Joe: Nivea extra sensitive,

Balm for Jim: AOS.

Aftershave/cologne for Joe: Aramis.

Aftershave/cologne for Jim: Order a Penhaligon sampler and pick your favorite. (By the way, Jim, I know you are grateful for this advice, and please note the Blenheim can be found in 500ml bottles, and my address is...)

O.K., those are my ideas. I'm sure similar threads are out there, but products come and go and we're always making new discoveries (I found the Watkins oil a couple months ago and been trying to get the word out ever since), so let's put them in one place all newbies -- both well-heeled and not -- can find our suggestions.