Soap: Tabac without doubt. When i started DE shaving around 3 years ago I bought a container. I liked it then but didnt think that much of it, and so began the rabbit hole of Artisan soaps. A couple of weeks back i thought i would try it again and was very surprised at how good it was. In my opinion the lather i got from Tabac was the best I had made to date in both slicknes and protection (the scent was just a bonus
). I was so impressed that after I read the tallow formula was discontinued I went a bit nuts buying up all the tallow formula Tabac i could find
Razor: Rocca V4. This razor was the first that gave me that holy grail moment (the first shave from Lupo indicates this may be a solid contender). Reason for me for the Rocca was that it was the first razor that gave me pure BBS with minimal effort/concentration with ZERO irritation. Takes me 3-4 passes with two ATGs but the fact i can do this and achieve my results is why.
Blade: It started with the polsilver/wizamet blades. First ones i came across that provided a decent level of sharpness with excellent smoothness, then game the Gillette Yellows which got a bit sharper while retaining smoothness and now currently the Minora which i would describe as the sharpest i have come across while still remaining smooth.
Blade/Razor combo: A notable mention must go out best surprise for me in this category would be the WR2 1.25 + feather combo. This combo pairs an aggressive razor along with the sharpest (not smoothest) blade i have come across, and somehow when you use a very steep angle can provide one of the smoothest shaves around, but you must shave with care.. any slip up is immediately noticeable.
Brush: The Omega 11137 Boar (possibly any boar). When i first used the boar, i allowed for break in for a few months but still it was one of the worst brushes i had used to produce lather. I may possibly have shaving hoarding tendencies so never got rid of it and like many things i didnt like early on i revisited the boar recently. I was amazed how much i liked the face feel while lathering and the lather it produced. This was a brush i was ready to throw away a couple years back, and now is one of my favorites so much so there are two boar brushes on route to me
I guess i finally learnt how to lather correctly.