I have found SRP to be extremely helpful to new members who are just starting out. Learning to shave with a straight and proper stropping technique takes some time to master. Honing takes even longer to learn. I think the reason the common advice about new members not rushing out to buy hones is sage advice, what if the new member who is so eager to try this and sinks alot of cash into razors, strops, creams/soaps, hones, and etc only to then experience less than stellar shaves in the beginning that they end up frustrated and go back to a disposable?

Case in point, about a year or so ago, there was a new member who purchased everything right at the start not heeding the advice of the experienced members. After maybe a couple of months, decided learning to shave with a straight razor, strop, and hone was too much of a time investment. He ended up selling the whole kit and kaboodle in the classifieds...for a loss. If I had been quicker on the keyboard, I would have bought his gear because it was a steal. That guy is out some serious dough.

As for the fear of being banned for posting a difference of opinion in public, have you spent anytime lately in the "Conversation" forum? There is a huge swath of opinions being posted. No one is being banned because those involved are behaving as gentlemen and not making issues personal. Sure, the mods may need to step in from time to time and give warnings or even close threads that derail, but I have seen no evidence of the members involved being banned because they may subscribe to a different thought process. Just my opinion though.