John
I am indeed very happy with my brushes and they all get better with use. I agree that the Duke 3 is a fine all round brush. I also enjoy my Kent BK 8, shavemac 177, Semogue 1305 and now the Vulfix 404. A Vulfix 2234 and the new Semogue special edition will complete this year's line up. One day, I will spend a lot of money on a brush, but only one I can lay my hands on before buying. So it will be back to Hungerford or to the London barber shops or Taylors and DR Harris to see what they can come up with. But that's for another day.
As for soaps and creams. I have a feeling I may be long gone before I use up what I already have in the stash. And then there's Christmas to come!
The problem with collecting is knowing when to stop. I think I'm pretty well there with shaving items for now, seriously folks. And what strikes me is that compared with many people, I haven't even started yet!