I got my first SE razor in the mail yesterday. I'm new to vintage razors, and purchased my first two DE's two months ago. I got an Auto Strop Valet off ebay, and I'm looking for some blades. I see that Feather SE blades will fit, but I was wondering if the Derby Professional Single Edge blades will work also? If they won't work, I'll order some Feathers. Thanks​
Auto Strop Valet
- Thread starter cadzilla517
- Start date
Derby Single Edge are not really SE blades. They are only a snapped in half DE blade. They won't work at all. The feather spineless SE blades are pretty expensive and will only last about 3 shaves compared to a normal SE blade. You are better off using normal GEM SE blades and looking up how to remove the spine from them so they'll fit. It's pretty easy from what I've seen, and a heck of a lot cheaper.
Which Valet model is it? The earlier ones have a blade holder that consists of a slide in slot and can hold a despined Gem-type single edged blade. The later models have stud patterns on the blade holder that will require the Feather SE blade or a vintage Valet-type blade. No other blade will work in those.
Saying that the Feathers only last three shaves isn't quite true. If you say that they only last three shaves for some people I might agree with you. I get at least five from them, and if you search the forums you'll see that some claim to get more that that. I don't bother pushing the envelope. Yes, they are expensive when you compare other blade choices, but I get great results from them and don't mind the cost, given the limited availability and the fact that I get my consistently best shaves with the last model Valet produced (the VC4). As with everything shave related, YMMV.
Cheers.
