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

[SparkyLB]

For me, it's definitely the SR. I have a few in rotation, half are eBay rescues. Some take a touch-up on a stone periodically, others last months with just a stropping. I have one in mind right now that I've been using for about a week. Linen after a shave, leather before a shave. I've got a beautiful W.H. Morely and sons from eBay for a bit less than $10.

It's the blade, the blade I tell ya.

 

[musicman1951]

Blades are certainly YMMV, but it's the razor/blade combination - along with the obvious differences in skin and beards. How could it not be?

But I find I am most fussy about brushes. I am most particular about backbone, soft tips and size - but the handle also gets some attention. I can make any brush work, but then again I only use 5 of my 20+ brushes, so I'm back to pretty fussy.