I didnt get the kit, but I did get the brush and bought a 12 pack of vdh glycerin soap. I dont know about the regular or delux vdh soap but the glycerin smells good works great, and it was only a buck a puck. brush works great too. rather than soaking it in a bowl though I run nice hot tap water over it and leave it hanging without shakeing the water out on my homemade brush stand while I take a nice long shower (I have a kind of molded sink/countertop rather than one of the newer styles) then I rewet it with nice hot water again before useing it. that routine seems to get the brush just right for me. as far as a bowl goes I just use an old coffee mug (one thats been cleaned out and dedicated to shaving) to hold my soap and I build lather on my face. although lately I have been experimenting with actual shaveing mugs.