Sounds like you have it all figured out for yourself.
I use artisan shave soap because they work extremely well and smell awesome. Commercial soap also works well, but there isn’t as much variety in the smell department. I have a handful of brushes and I use whichever one I feel like on a given day. They all offer something unique.
I use aftershave for the same reason you mentioned. Aloe sounds like it’d be sticky and unpleasant for my skin type.
If it’s the best soap you’ve ever used, that would negate the claim that soap is soap. I’m happy you’ve found something you like.
There are always people in all hobbies that think it’s their way or the highway (no offense, but your comments have that tone to them).
I try to avoid that and just share what I enjoy.
One of the biggest things I hear is “cartridges cause irritation and DE razors don’t!”. That is 100% false and I disagree with it. Still, I love using DE razors and would recommend them to anyone interested in “enjoying” shaving.