Mukan, I'd say the guys are telling you right. Strop/razor/brush can be had complete for under $100, and the shaves from the lower cost replaceable blade straights aren't as easy to get used to. Whipped Dog & other places can have you comfortably under $75 for those items. If you hit snags, PM me for help. Part of the name Pinklather was from trying a fake st8.