1) Pre-shave (including hot water)
Hot water (a bathful).
2) Brush
Omega 49 pro. I don't really suppose this is the best by any means, but it's what I've got for now.
3) Soap/Cream/Shave Stick/Gel/Oil
Tabac; honourable mentions for Wool Fat, Cella, Palmolive and Taylors sandalwood cream.
4) Razor
Aristocrat Jr. or flare tip Rocket
5) Blade
Feather or old stock UK Wilkinson: wouldn't want to be stuck with just one type.
6) A/S Balm
Anything that's not too greasy, but Proraso is an established favourite..
7) A/S Splash
I've only got Taylors sandalwood at the moment, which I'm quite sure can be improved upon.
For my money, 1) is the fundamentally important item, as for all the other variables I can obtain a good, lousy or indifferent result from any of them really. As Fido says, technique is the key, and I'll freely confess to making a bollix of lathering every once in a while if I'm in too much of a rush. With regard to razors, being able to vary the aggressiveness is important to me, so if it was just the one it'd be the Fatboy. I'd also mention cold water immediately after shaving, but it doesn't fit into the given categories.