I guess I will take this a step farther. There is a certain bliss that accompanies ignorance.

When I first started lurking around here I thought that straight shaving would be a great mystery as I try to solve the puzzle of what will work for me (soaps, creams, brushes, lathering techniques, strops, blades, and all the pomp and circumstance). Allow me to suggest that perhaps some of these things are blown a bit out of proportion?

I must report a great deal of ignorance on these things, but I found a shop that was willing to put together a reasonably priced starter set for me (a modest badger brush, a vintage blade, a strip of leather, and small puck of soap)...it all cost less than a very basic new straight razor.

OK so I have no idea what other products would work better for me, but in my blissful ignorance I have to conclude that I have some GREAT stuff to work with because I am enjoying some great shaves!

My point is, have some confidence in your gear also...you can second guess your kit to Helen Back from reading all these forums, the truth is...shave already!

That and clean your face and lay back and relax with a very hot towel on your face for a few minutes before you shave...that costs nothing and seems to work really well for me