Pricey is a relative term. A cake of high quality soap can be had for as little as USD 10. That cake will last much longer than 10 cans of foam, but will perform a lot better. Add a USD 5 brush, and you are in business already. So, no, I do not think this will be pricey, you will actually save a lot of money.
While you are still looking, go here: Shaving Soaps/Shaving Creams Reviews - Straight Razor Place Forums. There are a number of reasonably cheap soaps and creams in there as well. I consider every product I reviewed with more than 70% totally sufficient to get a great shave, and that is quite a number of products, among them at least two that are below USD 10. [Edit] Check this out: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shavi...ing-cream.html. I consider it a hidden gem, and more than worthy competitor for van der Hagen and Williams.
Regards,
Robin