Shaving Brush?

My advice, for what it's worth, is to get a good quality shaving brush, the larger the better, from the likes of Kent, or Taylor's of Bond Street, and, if you can get hold of it, try Proraso shaving soap for the best foam. I found it very difficult to find in the UK, but there's always Amazon. Tabac is another winner, even though some think it smells like your old uncle's pipe-leavings. Any Merkur DE shaver with Feather blades will do the job. I use a Merkur Futur, which I find very easy to use, mainly because of the weight, as a heavier razor tends to be easier because you don't have to use as much force. Wilkinson's blades aren't bad either. Steer clear of the Boots own brand or Merkur blades. They feel like they've already been used when they're new.

The great thing about the double-edged razors is that after I started using one I no longer had the problem of in-grown hairs that comes with those multi-blade razors. And the blades don't cost an arm and a leg. 

What difference could the brush make?

This explains why and quite succinctly.

http://www.shaving101.com/inde...a-shaving-brush.html

I'm afraid I still don't really get it, but OK. (But I also don't get why the direction of fuses matters)

Next time you're in the UK Winky treat yourself to a wet shave at Taylor's or Trumper's.

You get a much closer more comfortable shave when using a brush. I take a small travel brush on holiday and it's not as good as the larger brush I use at home. The secret in using it is to soak the brush in very hot water and apply the soap with the tips of the bristles. This lifts and softens the bristles for a cleaner shave. This is easier to do with the larger brush. It costs about £100 but lasts about seven years. You also get a rich creamy lather.

Steve

I use Taylor's of Bond Street Rose shaving cream and use a Rooney brush or a Kent brush.  My DE's are Edwin Jeager and my straights are Le Grelot.

Best DE blades for me are Feather.

Might just do that.