Over on my favourite wetshaving forum there have been a discussion of what products punch above their weight class or gives most bang for the buck. Disregarding vintage items and items I’ve been gifted of PIFed, this is my take:
Arko shavesticks and creams
Dalan d’Men cream
Derby shavesticks and creams
GzD shavesticks
Turkish #6 and #7 brushes
Lord Racer razor (good but aggressive)
Wilkinson Sword Classic razor (a good DE for a beginner)
YUMA razor (pot metal goodness)…
Yet to find a cheap but good aftershave though; either they smell really artificial or they smell of teen angst and locker rooms.