You said you have flea market blades? If they're ok shape (for example, you could post pictures here and ask advice), I think the cheapest way to get a razor would be to get sharpened either locally or sending them out (with all due respect, sharpening requires skill and equipment).

I think you have to strop if you want to keep the edge going. Good thing that you have a razor hone to refresh the edges when they start to pull. Wouldn't recommend shaving dry, its uncomfortable and probably destroys your edge more (I've heard that beard hair is about as hard as copper wire, so you want to soften them up a bit). Cream can be applied with fingers and I've seen a soap used with a small handtowel.