I've pretty much settled on my go to razor - the R41. I've tried a lot of different DE, and SE razors and one Shavette. Most of them were vintage, but not all. I've found I prefer a more "aggressive" razor, and that I have better luck with DE than SE. I did try the Feather Artist Club (thanks Michael), and while it gave a great shave it also left some nasty cuts, which has led me to set aside thoughts of straight (or shavette) shaving until my life is a little less hectic and I can focus on learning the technique. For now, the R41 does a great job for me, and has mostly stopped me from looking. I haven't tried most of the higher end stainless DEs and have a desire to give the ATT H and S a try. I was lucky to try the Mongoose SE (thanks again Michael) which is beautiful, but the shave didn't rise above my main DE razors.

Currently Own:
- 2013 R41 - My Daily driver
- Fatip - I like it a lot and keep it as a backup to my R41 or for when I travel
- Gillette NEW LC - My favourite vintage razor, that I still use occasionally
- Gillette Tech - My first razor (found in the wild too) I keep it mostly for sentimental reasons.
- SE MMOC - My favorite SE of the ones I've tried. Doesn't see much use, however, and I'll probably trade or PIF at some point

I've settled on a blade as well. I've tried tons of different blades and Feathers consistently work better for me. I use them almost exclusively now. I plan to go back and play around again as it's been a long time since I tested different blades and my technique has improved quite a bit. I'm too busy trying out soap for now

I'm mostly settled on a brush - the Plisson Synthetic (I have the L'Occitaine version with bubbly finish and all). As this brush performs so much better for me than anything else I have tried, I've decided to go synth only. I am wanting to get another synth so that I have a backup, and because I think I might like a little more backbone. I like a smaller brush, so I'm considing the WD 20mm and the Sterling 22mm

Currently Own:
- Whipped Dog Synthetic 24mm (love this thing. very similar to my Plisson with a little more backbone and a better handle)
- L'Occitaine Plisson Synthetic (knot is secure but the finish is bubbling and peeling)
- Omega Omega Tasso & Setola (fun small size badger/boar mix - my favourite before I found my Plisson)
- Omega B&B Essential boar, Gold Flake (My first decent brush)

I rarely use cream, as I prefer soaps. I've tried a lot of different ones, and the only ones I currently own are Body Shop's Maca Root, and a couple of TOBS Samples (Avocado & Grapefruit). There isn't a cream on my list to try.

Here is where most of my shaving attention goes these days. I love soaps, but have found I have a finicky nose and a finicky face. I don't like most Cologne, Barbershop or Floral scents. I am very drawn towards citrus scents (especially orange). Bay Rum is my kryptonite - I've tried 5 or 6 different brands and all have caused strong and immediate irritation. Many other soaps cause me mild irritation, but I've not found much of a pattern beyond Bay Rum. I tend to prefer Tallow soaps as I like the after face feel most of them provide. I also tend to prefer artisan soaps, as there are some great performing ones, and most of the non-artisan soaps that perform well have Cologne or floral type scents. I don't really like menthol in a soap, but I don't mind it if it isn't too strong.

On the issue of Arko and Tabac - I love the performance of both, but can't stand the scent of either.

Mystic Water (My favourite soap) - Orange Vanilla, Sweet Briar
SilverFox - Practically unobtanium, but the 2 samples I tried were great. I especially liked the Peppernilla
Sterling - Black Cherry*
Mikes - Lemongrass & Eucalyptus*, Orange, Ceaderwood, and Peppercorn*
Tiki - The Captain*, Grand Cru, Spice Islands, Peppermint Bark*
CRSW Select - Puro Fresco
PannaCrema Nuavia - Blue (or Red, but I prefer Blue)
Soap Commander - Gusto, Inspiration
Dr Jon's - Hydra*
WSP T - Mahogony or Tobacco* (they smell the same to me)
EJ - Limes and Pomegranate*
B&M - Adagio

I've stopped updating this list because it just keeps growing and growing. I'll add new brands here, but not new scents

Mystic Waters - Vanilla Sandlawood, Maestrale*, Lime, Coconut
B&M - Peppermint
Sterling - MITA
Maggards - Orange Menthol, Limes and Bergemot
TOBS - Jermyn Street*
Caties Bubbles - Two to Mango, Fouet d'Orange. (nice performance, but just a little too sweet)
RazoRock - Classic*, Lime (EO)*, Moroccan Secret*
Cella
Valobra - Almond
WM. Neumans - Old Fashioned Soda* (Nice soap with a very interesting soap that I got as part of a pass around)
Haslinger - Ringelblum* (Performs great, but this scent is only okay.)
C&E - Nomad* (old formula)
Tiki - Kon Tiki.
AOS (old Tallow formula) - Lemon or Sandalwood
CRSW - Jardin d'Orange
WSP Rustic - Black Amber Vanilla (I like the scent the best, but it doesn't come it T, only Rustic)
Captain's Choice - Sandalwood
Soap Commander - Confidence
Saponificio Varesino - Dolomiti

Tabac
Arko
Cade
MdC Original & Fougere
Speik
La Toja
PAA - every soap I've tried of theirs causes me irritation. (I love their Black Tea scent)
RazorRock - I've tried most. If it's not in my yes or maybe section, I don't like it due to scent or irritation - (Many have caused irritation )
Stirling - SDM, Ben Franklin, Rose, Vanilla Tangerine, Coniferous
Mickey Lee Soapworks - Pantie Dropper
Tiki - Land Locked
Caties Bubbles - QCV, LTV, Gardenia, Irish Coffee, LPV (liked this scent, but it caused irritation)
B&M - Cheshire, Winter Spice, Orange and Cedar, Latha, Seville, Vetyver Santal, Nocturne, Bay Rum
SCS - Moccachino, Bacon
Stroppe Shoppe SE - Baker Street, London Morning, Peppermint (liked this scent, but it caused irritation)
LASS - Myrkvoir, Bespoke #1, CCXIII, Bay Rum, Topanga Fougere, Woody Lavender, Van/Euc/Mint
CRSW - Fougere Moderne, Bergemot & Bay, Sandalwood
Mystic Waters - Green Fariry, Bay Rum, Rosalimone, Viola de Bosco, Brown Windsor, Marrakesh, Adorondak Jack, Prospect Creek, Irish Traveller, Barbershop, Jeff's Lavender
WSP Rustic - Barbershop, Black Orchid, Blackbeard, Fougere Noire, Gaelic Tweed, Lavenderwood, SandleRose, Sandalwood, Vertiver, Matterhorn

Col Conk
Mama Bear

I am NOT chosen by the Veg.

I don't use a dedicated pre-shave (I use the soap I will be shaving with). For Post Shave, I use alum, then WH. I've found that balms cause me to break out or get ingrowns (I've tried several quality ones including Nivea and AOS). I haven't liked the scent of most AS splashes (I haven't really tried a lot), but I do have a bottle of Myrsol Antesol I was PIFd which I like enough to use now and then, but I don't love it enough to use all the time. I did find that using witch hazel works will for my skin, so I make a home-made splash of Thayers or Humphreys unscented WH with/aloe, then add a few drops of glycerine and a few drops of Sweet Orange Essential oil. If I'm lazy I'll buy Humphreys Citrus Scented WH. I'm thinking of trying Sterling's scented WH but the scents I'm interested in have menthol so I'm not sure.

Le Pere Lucien

Stirling - Pharaoh's Dreamsicle, Lime
TTFFC - Chocolate Orange

ATT H1,H2,S1 & S2 Razor
Sterling 22mm synthetic brush
WD 20 mm synthetic brush