I just got my first straight razor and strop a couple days ago. It's a nice shave-ready razor from here and a vintage strop.

I'm hoping to find a source for some decent soap or other lubrication locally. As many before me have found, the junk from the aeresol can just doesn't cut it.

I'd love to find a starter brush/soap/mug locally, but I'm not sure what is worth my time. I read some reviews on a Van Der Hagen set that are less than stellar...

Any ideas? Looking forward to a successful shave after a couple not-so-wonderful attempts!