Boycie's Emporium huh? What what?
I've no set budget. My approach is to attempt to buy stuff which functions well initially, and to modify things after that if necessary. Asking 'silly' questions of experienced people is how I hope to equip myself reasonably first of all.
I was going to buy a synthetic brush (Mühle?), but am thinking now of the Semogue SOC from Connaught while it's on offer. I would buy a sample pack of blades at the same time. Maybe some soap or cream to compare with the B&M omnibus base which I intend to buy from elsewhere, to see how they perform with my very hard water.
I saw that PIF thread, thanks Boycie. I was going to leave it for someone else to win, but will consider putting my name in.