I first tried my Valet VC4 about 6 weeks ago and didn't like it much.
Inspired by this thread, and thinking maybe it was a technique issue, I loaded up a fresh Feather FHS-5 this morning and shaved the left side of my face with the VC4 and the right side with my Fatboy, to do a comparison.
Using a much shallower angle, the first pass with the VC4 was comfortable, but rinsing after the first pass revealed that it didn't cut much. The Fatboy side was MUCH cleaner. Undaunted, I went on with the XTG pass. This was slightly better, but not much. Fatboy side destroyed the VC4.
VC4 side required 3 passes to get to CCS. I got two tiny weepers on the VC4 side versus zero on the Fatboy side.
Bottom line: To me there is no comparison. The Valet is a cool-looking razor, but as a shaver it's not very good. If the VC4 were the only non-cartridge shaver available, I would shave with an Atra and give up classic shaving altogether.
I'm glad somebody enjoys it, but I don't think it's a good shaver at all.
It took me about 2 years to like the AutoStrop. My personal opinion is that ANY razor should be able to give anyone a decent shave. I'm stubborn, and when I hate a razor, I try not to struggle with it. I just put it away and pick it up again in a month or two. Almost always, one day it just clicks.I first tried my Valet VC4 about 6 weeks ago and didn't like it much.
Now, I've never tried anything later than a VB1, but my notes say my first shave with a B1 was my worst shave in 25 years.Using a much shallower angle, the first pass with the VC4 was comfortable, but rinsing after the first pass revealed that it didn't cut much.
I think I went so steep that the blade wasn't reaching the base of the hairs.It took me about 2 years to like the AutoStrop. My personal opinion is that ANY razor should be able to give anyone a decent shave. I'm stubborn, and when I hate a razor, I try not to struggle with it. I just put it away and pick it up again in a month or two. Almost always, one day it just clicks.
Now, I've never tried anything later than a VB1, but my notes say my first shave with a B1 was my worst shave in 25 years.
Now it's tied with the ER 1914 as my favorite SE razor, beating out the Damaskeenes and Streamline. What happened? Steep angle shaving. To me, steeper makes every razor better, but with this one, when more so.
I haven't tried the Gem blades yet.And I don't think the FHS-10 is quite as sharp as the GEM SS blade after today's shave.
I haven't tried the Gem blades yet.
The Feather SS blades really worked well in my VC-1.
I haven't tried the Feather Seikan blades either.
I paid $ .629 US a blade for the Gem's.
For the Feather Seikan's and the Feather FHS 10's $ .895 US each.
That's a difference of $ .266 a blade.
I hope I can get the spine off the blades so I can try them out in the VC-1.
Just putting a blade into the VC-1 is a concerned for me because of how tight they fit.
I can of course use the Gem's just like they are in my Gem razor so no worry using them in the Gem's.
Even the blades fitting in my 3 piece DE razors are a concern for me.
The Gillette TTO's I got are ok.
I have a Fatboy somewhere around here that I've had for quite a few years.
I tried shaving with it on 9 the one time I tried to shave with it because someone told me that was the mild setting.
I gave up on using anything but the Gillette carts after that.
All the blades are scary to me except for my TTO's.
The only one that is not a concern so far is my Schick G.
I do have a ER flip top razor someone is sending me.
I think that might be a winner.
I was also looking at the Lather Catchers but because some of them use wedge blades, I've stayed away from them.
The ER mini Lather catcher might do.
The Ikon El Jefe and my RazoRock Hawk are destine for the bay or Craig's.
I find them difficult to load too.
The only problem with the VC-1 so far is the handle and actually it's not a deal breaker.
I am looking to end up with a Single Edge razor as I prefer the stiffness of the blades and blades I can afford.
The stropper is to help cut down on the price of use for each blade.
So a SE razor that's easy for me to load with my shaky hands, a handle large enough for me to hold and blades that don't cost an arm and a leg.
Is that too much to ask for?
After all I can find blades for my DE razors that I like and cost less than $ .33 a piece that I can use one time and toss.
The handles are the reason that I was using three piece razors and not my TTO's.
I actually was getting at least 5 shaves or more with the DE blades.
If this becomes too complicated I will go back to them.
All of this came about because the replacement carts for my Gillette Fusion cost too much.
I never really meant for it to become a hobby.
I sure have really learned a lot on this journey.
I have found a great community that has really wonderful people that I never knew existed.
What a wonderful journey in deed.
My GEM SS PTFE blades cost $.15 a blade from England. Removing the spine is pretty easy. A pair of pliers worked great. There are a couple YouTube how-to videos.
I received my VC1 today, will use in the morning with either a GEM or Feather FHS blade, both fit fine. Had to figure out how to load it, I was looking for a door.
Wow Where are you getting them for that Price?
How much for shipping and how many do you have to buy at that price?
How long do you have to wait to get them?
I've seen the YouTube videos on how to do it.
Rather easy it seems.
The problem is my hands shaking.
Hey that's great.
You can do a comparison between the two.
If I had not seen a video of someone loading one I probably would still be trying to figure it out.
Unless I buy it in large amounts it will cost me more.
There is a medical company that sells them here in the states if I decide to go that route.
try to find yourself a B1 or VB1.
What do they look like?
I've only seen the VC series, VC-1, VC-2 and VC-4
Wow
Thanks
I could have used this info when I was looking for my first Valet.