there's this one flat brush i've had since art school. it's completely destroyed, splayed out like a broom, and every single time i pick it up it makes the painting worse. and i keep it on purpose. it's like a grounding tool. whenever i'm being too precious about a piece i grab it, make a mess, and suddenly the stakes are gone and i can actually work.

i've had nicer brushes since. bought a set that cost more than my groceries last year. they're fine. but this busted thing is the one that actually fixes my head. it just lives in my cup, insulted looking, and it's done more for me than any of the expensive ones.

anyone else got a tool that's objectively bad at its job but you refuse to retire it