Hahaha! I think even Homer mentioned a shaving brush and a stick of shaving soap in the Iliad and the Romans certainlyhad that. Only joking_ I think aot depends on how permeable your hair is.The longer you leave foam on before shaving the easier shaving is. You cant leave ordinary siap on and go for a fag expecting it to keep its form. But 6 weeks for a packet of blades sounds impressive.

Alternatively, a drop or two of cheap shampoo does the lubrication job well enough. You can use it instead of soaps. It's very slippery, so it's ideal. However, you'll have to wash your face more thoroughly than usual after having shaved to remove it. Another advantage is that unlike a bar of soap, it doesn't clog up your razor head as easily.