Four: One to start out. Two for when one needs honing. Three because I honed it from "zero" at a meet-up and bought it since I felt invested in it. Four because I wanted to see what a 4/8 is like.

Why three DEs? One for an aggressive wide gap. One for a super-non-aggressive narrow gap. One because it's vintage and pretty.

Why four brushes? One crazy-expensive silver-handled badger as a gift. One CVS cheapie by Kent. One Omega and one Semogue because people love them.

Why seven soaps? Variety of scent and of substance (glycerin and tallow).