What Is Your Most YMMV Piece of Hardware or Aspect of Shaving?

[CalmAsHinduCows]

There’s almost an infinite amount of variables and combinations that can lead to the best shave you’ve ever had or one of the worst.

I am referring to the dizzy array of hardware choices like the razor itself, blade choice, soaps/creams, brushes, etc or aspects like beard coarseness, growth patterns, skin sensitivity, and so forth.

For me, it would have to be the Blades. I’ve been wet shaving for over a decade now and have gone through multiple dozens of different blades, carefully figuring out which are pure winners and which ones I’d happily give away.

It’s been a true YMMV aspect for me as in lots of the universally loved blades in this community, just did not agree with my face. While some of the mid-tier or mostly unheard of blades have turned out to be shaving ambrosia for me. Gillette’s 7 O’Clock SharpEdge comes to mind, as it’s my favorite blade of all time.

I’ve mainly used the exact same hardware over the years with my DE, soap, and brush hardly changing as I’ve settled on the ones that I truly prefer. But, blades were the one portion that I had to really research and test.

What happens to be your most YMMV portion of wet shaving?

 

[wldecker]

Blades will be a common answer to this. Mine would be brushes. I'm personally very particular about them. Very dense badger knots in a fan shape are my go to. Love my Turn n Shave L5. Huge knot, good backbone and not too soft. Very similar face feel to the mozingo zt4 which is my second favorite. Tried a bunch of other badger, boar and synthetic knots and none make it more than a couple shaves before going back in the drawer.

 

[Rhody]

Interesting question. For me, all things considered, it’s me. I’m the biggest variable in my shave. Was I paying enough attention, in a rush, not staying in the moment, did I load the brush with the correct amount of water? Did I make any stupid moves with the razor? On and on… I’m very comfortable with my software and hardware, I don’t keep or use blades that never work for me etc. so the biggest variable is what they used to call “skill of the operator “.

 

[BobbyB]

I nominate my King C Gillette razor, when pared with my Bic Chrome Platinum blades. They yield great shaves with any soap or cream.

 

[Alex Jr]

Since blades are mentioned already I’ll go with brushes.

Looking for opinions or reviews online before buying a brush is a tricky business.

All you read is “backbone”, “scrub”, “wall of badger”, “density” and so on. Yes, I’ve fell for that.

I don’t know when in history backbone, stiffness and exaggerated density became such a desired thing.

Well I learned the hard way. What people usually refer to scrub to me is the equivalent of rubbing a piece of asphalt on my face. What is considered good density for me it is a total overkill.

Simpson best. Yes you. I just can’t enjoy lathering with 1000 needles poking my skin, even when paint lathering. And the backbone? That thing could be used as a weapon.

Getting home alone AS burn solely because of a brush, nope, not for me.

Omega 48, Semogue SOC, Semogue 1305:

-“Be careful, floppy wet mop!”

Yep, that’s me. I love it.

I paint lather with my 48 and it’s like a therapy. Those pliable soft tipped bristles going back and forth with little to no resistance while building a thin slick layer of bubble free soap. God it brings tears to my eyes while I type it.

Bottom line, I’m usually the opposite of what you folks look for in a brush.

I still read reviews, but with the reverse mode on.

You can now call me a freak. I’m out.

 

[DesertIguana]

Since blades are mentioned already I’ll go with brushes.

Looking for opinions or reviews online before buying a brush is a tricky business.

All you read is “backbone”, “scrub”, “wall of badger”, “density” and so on. Yes, I’ve fell for that.

I don’t know when in history backbone, stiffness and exaggerated density became such a desired thing.

Well I learned the hard way. What people usually refer to scrub to me is the equivalent of rubbing a piece of asphalt on my face. What is considered good density for me it is a total overkill.

Simpson best. Yes you. I just can’t enjoy lathering with 1000 needles poking my skin, even when paint lathering. And the backbone? That thing could be used as a weapon.

Getting home alone AS burn solely because of a brush, nope, not for me.

Omega 48, Semogue SOC, Semogue 1305:

-“Be careful, floppy wet mop!”

Yep, that’s me. I love it.

I paint lather with my 48 and it’s like a therapy. Those pliable soft tipped bristles going back and forth with little to no resistance while building a thin slick layer of bubble free soap. God it brings tears to my eyes while I type it.

Bottom line, I’m usually the opposite of what you folks look for in a brush.

I still read reviews, but with the reverse mode on.

You can now call me a freak. I’m out.

People talk & Talk about Brushes, never experience a Shave with brush over 18.00 USD.

Some day I will get Badge Silver Tip to see what is so special.

Do love exotic woods, some are thought to work with.

Turning wood can be adventure, about time you think you’re almost done. Some hidden grain change or knot. Boom you got scrap.

Buddy build pool Cues, he was doing me an Amboina Burl Cue, into Ebony.

Three time he tried, phone rang. He said I can’t work with this burl. He never finished order.

 

[lasta]

Since blades are mentioned already I’ll go with brushes.

Looking for opinions or reviews online before buying a brush is a tricky business.

All you read is “backbone”, “scrub”, “wall of badger”, “density” and so on. Yes, I’ve fell for that.

I don’t know when in history backbone, stiffness and exaggerated density became such a desired thing.

Well I learned the hard way. What people usually refer to scrub to me is the equivalent of rubbing a piece of asphalt on my face. What is considered good density for me it is a total overkill.

Simpson best. Yes you. I just can’t enjoy lathering with 1000 needles poking my skin, even when paint lathering. And the backbone? That thing could be used as a weapon.

Getting home alone AS burn solely because of a brush, nope, not for me.

Omega 48, Semogue SOC, Semogue 1305:

-“Be careful, floppy wet mop!”

Yep, that’s me. I love it.

I paint lather with my 48 and it’s like a therapy. Those pliable soft tipped bristles going back and forth with little to no resistance while building a thin slick layer of bubble free soap. God it brings tears to my eyes while I type it.

Bottom line, I’m usually the opposite of what you folks look for in a brush.

I still read reviews, but with the reverse mode on.

You can now call me a freak. I’m out.

We are not freaks, other people are!

 

[Alex Jr]

Some day I will get Badge Silver Tip to see what is so special.

I used to think that a little while ago. Not anymore. I’m definitely a boar guy. The water retention, the soft tips, the overall not so dense feel on the face. Yep, piggy for me…

 

[Alex Jr]

We are not freaks, other people are!

You know what, you’re right.

YOU BACKBONE WALL OF PAINFUL NEEDLE FREAKS! AAAAAARRRGHHH!

Oh I feel better now.

 

[Gilf187]

I think brushes are the most ymmv because even my own preferences vary drastically depending on the day. I use Permasharps almost every time, rotate between eight or so razors but mostly use the 1.15 Wolfman OC, .95 Wolfman OC, Timeless .95 OC, some Noble Otter or B+M soap, but brushes some days I'll use a DG badger then others I'll use a fifteen dollar Razorock or Yaqi synthetic. Sometimes badger just feels like too much of a pain and a synthetic gets the job done almost the same.

 

[abies]

A lot in shaving is YMMV but probably scent preferences I'd say?

Lilac vegetal is a good example.

Blades and razor aggression preferences would probably be close seconds and thirds.

 

[Buflow]

Scent parings and aftershave feeling for me.
I'm always attempting to create a zen like and atmospheric feeling that leaves a smile on my face.
Sometimes I get it and sometimes not...

 

[Lane101]

@CalmAsHinduCows , For me it would need to be brush types. Basically the contrast between my two plissoft synthetics and single boar that all work well while providing very different shaving experiences. Big difference in stiffness and face feel.

My razors primarily vary in level of aggressiveness. So long as I adjust for that they all deliver great shaves.

No YMMV among my blades with all three brands delivering similar excellent quality shaves and the only difference being in the area of blade longevity. Same for soaps and creams once I learned how to dial in each of my 15+ products.

 

[Dimitri]

For me probably my Merkur Futur razor. Have had one for years and get fantastic shaves with it, but it seems to be a razor that is absolutely loved, or absolutely detested.

 

[Lord NSIC]

I 100% agree with Rhody--if anything is going to affect my shave, it's me and all the internal and external factors I bring to the shave. Taking myself out of the equation, I would have to say brushes, in that I have a tendency to pair brushes to soaps--badgers for croaps and creams, boars for harder soaps and shave sticks, and synthetics according to their hardness/softness.

 

[BigJ]

For me, it is blades without a doubt. Some that are highly regarded just don’t work well for me and vice versa.

 

[Jim in NZ]

Blades are by far the most YMMV items for me. I have tried quite a range, and fortunately for me, the $0.08 FlyDear Super Platinum are the most suitable that I have found.

Feathers make me bleed when I just look at them. Gillette 7 O'clock yellows are good, but not as smooth. Derby don't like my skin. Jifuli are good for the first couple of shaves but then turn on me and scratch like a feral cat. BiCs are good but demand absolute attention, or I'll bleed, and they start to feel tuggy after only a couple of shaves.

The above remains true regardless of what brush or soap I use. The choice of razor is the second most YMMV piece of the puzzle, as the razors performance definitely changes with blade choice.

 

[Merchant Seaman Z]

My best bet. Blades, carbon or stainless. I’ve used both. Stainless are more available and tend to last longer. But both work to me.

 

[Jens]

Blades ... but I will add, aftershaves .... While I do have clear favourites, I also have some that are very much YMMV depending on a given day ...

 

[Dtownvino]

People talk & Talk about Brushes, never experience a Shave with brush over 18.00 USD.

Some day I will get Badge Silver Tip to see what is so special.

Do love exotic woods, some are thought to work with.

Turning wood can be adventure, about time you think you’re almost done. Some hidden grain change or knot. Boom you got scrap.

Buddy build pool Cues, he was doing me an Amboina Burl Cue, into Ebony.

Three time he tried, phone rang. He said I can’t work with this burl. He never finished order.

Two Rudy Vey Amboyna Burl brushes so when you are ready for Badger you have some inspiration for the missing cue!