I purchased a shaving kit several years ago and quickly gave up. It came with a Col. Conk Dovo 6/8 and the Vanderhagen soap, blue green bowl, and brush, not the new luxury one.
I jumped back in once I found this site and more info and have been shaving since October. (My tattooed arms. My beard is a little over a year and will be removed sometime next month, so I only have my arms to judge by, if it makes a difference.)
I'm still absolute crap with lather. I'm learning very slowly and I'll get there, but I thought maybe I would try a new brush. After all it set on a shelf in my shower in the bowl for a few years. It still works, but at the same time, I have no clue what I'm doing. I was hoping some old timers could give some good cheap options that consistently get the job done, and be forgiving for a complete novice, if brushes have that quality.