Valet Auto-Strop razor

Yesterday, for the first time in a few years, I decided to use one of my Valet Auto-Strop razors with the Feather blades that are designed to fit the razor.  I do not remember my earlier shaves with this razor fondly so was hoping that my shaving technique had improved over the years.

First, I have to say that I love the look of this razor.  Today, it would probably be called a Steam Punk style, and with good reason.  With its exposed gears, lifts, and flaps, it is easily one of the oddest SE or DE razors out there.

There were several versions made and I believe that the one here dates from the 1920s-1930s somewhere, though I don't have exact dates.  In their various iterations they were fairly popular during the first third of the last century.

Sadly, I still found the shave I got yesterday too uncomfortable for me to continue using the razor right now.  While the end result was close and smooth, the shave itself was rough, there were a couple of small nicks/weepers (though nothing serious) and left my face feeling raw.  Perhaps I'll give the razor another go sometime in the future, after this shave fades enough from my memory.  For now, though, I shall be going back to my reliable DEs and SEs.

Yesterday, for the first time in a few years, I decided to use one of my Valet Auto-Strop razors with the Feather blades that are designed to fit the razor.  I do not remember my earlier shaves with this razor fondly so was hoping that my shaving technique had improved over the years.

First, I have to say that I love the look of this razor.  Today, it would probably be called a Steam Punk style, and with good reason.  With its exposed gears, lifts, and flaps, it is easily one of the oddest SE or DE razors out there.

There were several versions made and I believe that the one here dates from the 1920s-1930s somewhere, though I don't have exact dates.  In their various iterations they were fairly popular during the first third of the last century.

Sadly, I still found the shave I got yesterday too uncomfortable for me to continue using the razor right now.  While the end result was close and smooth, the shave itself was rough, there were a couple of small nicks/weepers (though nothing serious) and left my face feeling raw.  Perhaps I'll give the razor another go sometime in the future, after this shave fades enough from my memory.  For now, though, I shall be going back to my reliable DEs and SEs.

That's a cool looking razor Freddy but nothing about it looks smooth!  It looks like something someone hands you and says "I wanna play a game".

I love the Valet looks since it's just too cool. But no matter what the blade I find it to be too mild for me. I think that it's the VC2 that I have in the cabinet with a blade installed for those days (very few) when I want a mild shave. One blade lasts me well over a year due to that.

I'm trying to remember the model that you have (VC3?) and I seem to remember that the blade can be accepted by the razor in a number of positions. By that I mean in a number of degrees of aggressiveness.

The VC2 lacks the cutouts in the head that were designed to only accept Valet blades back in the day. I use modified GEM SS ptfe blades and Feather blades in mine and either works fine. Most times the GEMs.

I love the Valet looks since it's just too cool. But no matter what the blade I find it to be too mild for me. I think that it's the VC2 that I have in the cabinet with a blade installed for those days (very few) when I want a mild shave. One blade lasts me well over a year due to that.

I'm trying to remember the model that you have (VC3?) and I seem to remember that the blade can be accepted by the razor in a number of positions. By that I mean in a number of degrees of aggressiveness.

The VC2 lacks the cutouts in the head that were designed to only accept Valet blades back in the day. I use modified GEM SS ptfe blades and Feather blades in mine and either works fine. Most times the GEMs.

Brian, these have the specific cutouts, which is why I had to use the special Feather blades for the shave.  However, I don't know the model number.  

Like you, I find this a really cool looking razor.  Unlike you, though, I find the shave I get much too aggressive.  Close?  Yes.  Smooth?  Yes.  Face irritated when I finish the shave? Yes. I have too many other SE and DE razors that give me close smooth shaves that are also comfortable that the Autostrop has, sadly, become barely more than a curiosity for me. If you find this razor mild then you must love the biggest face eater of all time, the OCMM.  (I bet now you're going to say that the OCMM is nothing more than a purring kitten. )

Love the look of that razor, like everyone else so far Love to add add one to my slowly growing collection, but I'd probably never use it One question though; do you have a pic of the Feather blade? Does it look special or something? Or is it still available to get?

Shawn they are available from www.razorbladesandmore.com. But IMO it's not worth getting them. Valets are inexpensive. Just get a VC2 and use despined GEM blades in it and sell the VC3 if you have one. The VC2 (and earlier models) can be recognized by the blade holder that only covers half of the blade. The razors that cover most of the blade have the cutouts that require special blades, and not every Valet will work with the Feather blades. The cutouts on the razor don't match the Feather cutouts on all of the Valets where those blades are a possibility for success.

Freddie, the reason I wrote what I did was my way of asking if the blade was installed in the razor to make it less aggressive. There was a time when I played with the VC3 but mine is in storage now and I'm operating from foggy memory.

But yes, I like the OCMM, it's just a hair milder than my preference, but it's OK. I even use SE razors without a comb at all . That's documented in the SEvette thread. I've even been known to use a Rolls which is just a segment of a straight razor on a stick. Those last 2 razors mentioned are so potentially "aggressive" that the word has no meaning for them.

I just checked my VC3... I did NOT put a blade in it. There is a lever on the back of the razor that locks and unlocks the blade holder. It does that by moving the base of the head that holds the comb up and down (or in and out). Full aggressive is with the lever all the way down. Raise the lever a hair and the geometry of the head changes to make it milder because the comb is moved forward. Move it too far though and on that model the blade holder swings free, That wouldn't be a good thing to have happen during a shave. I still think that I remember different ways to install a Feather blade that will allow the blade to move forward and back in the blade holder. You're on your own there. I'm not suggesting that you do anything, so do it at your own risk or not at all.

Shawn, I'm pretty sure they are still available but not sure where. Yes, they have a special cut that fits into this model razor.  I believe other Valet Autostrop models are built in such a way that regular straight edge blades can be modified for use in them.

Just saw this: https://www.razorbladesandmore.com/conte...ades-40pcs.  These are the blades I used and there are photos in the link.

Thanks ShadowsDad and Freddy

pretty cool looking razor...it does like very steam punk, like you mentioned.

ShadowsDad

Thanks for the info, Brian. I may check out the lever to see about adjustment the next time I use it.

I have been reading with interest your's and Brian S.'s take on the SEvette.  I think something like that would be way too aggressive for me.  I actually had miserable slice & dice shaves from the Micromatic so never had a desire to revisit it.  The funny thing is I don't have that trouble with my two favorite lather catchers yet I thought they would have been as uncomfortable as the Micromatic.