I was amazed at how good the VdH soap is, considering how disappointed I was with the brush and bowl. The soap is very slick, even with hard water. Initial cost is low, but I threw the brush away after 7 shaves because the knot fell out, and the bowl now collects dust because it's too small.Van Der Hagen Shaving Set (mug, soap, Brush) on Amazon for $19.99