How is the Auto Strop as a razor?

[Fletch]

I'm a bit intrigued by it and am wondering how it is as a shaver? Also dies it actually work with regards to having the blades last longer or is the whole thing more of a gimmick/novelty?

Also assuming a complete set (case, razor, and strop) what would one expect to pay for one for a reasonable price?

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I use mine with modified single edge blades so I can't help you with the original blades. I can tell you I really enjoy using it, it is similar to the open comb Micromatic and it's very easy to remove the spine from an se blade so it will fit.

Somebody recently tested one to see how long the blade would go, a search should turn up the thread.

 

[guttercat2000]

I have an Auto strop and I think they give a nice close shave. It really produces that "knife on burnt toast" sound, which I find pretty cool.
You need to make sure you get an older model if you want to use modified current production SE blades. The newer models will only accept Valet blades.
I do feel the stropping does increase the useful life of the blade. Some people report getting up to 20 shaves out of one blade. (that seems a little optimistic to me tho.).
They seem to vary widely in price. I have seen them from 12 to 55 dollars for a complete set. (mine came with no strop for 10 and I picked up a stop for 2.00
on the bay).

 

[BBrad]

I also have one of the older Auto-Strop razors that doesn't require the "Valet" cut-out on the blade . . . as such, as HoosierTrooper said, one can modify a standard SE blade to fit.

It is a really nice shave, but the sound is different. There is also a "clicking" sound from the stropping gears as you shave . . . kind of weird, but still a good SE quality shave.

While I do have an AS strop, I did not try to extend the modified blade's life by stropping. I got three or four shaves from the blade, and was then on to another razor . . .

They're an interesting tool, and I consider myself lucky to have been able to add one to my "shave list" . . .

 

[superbleu]

Sounds gimmicky(is that a real word) to me. Just get a regular SE razor like a 1912. I have a VAS that doesn't have the cutouts and can take a regular SE blade if you rip the spine off, it's a good shaver but no better than any other SE razor I have tried. I also have a few that do take the cutouts for and not sure what to do with them.

 

[texasshaver78]

Sounds gimmicky(is that a real word) to me. Just get a regular SE razor like a 1912. I have a VAS that doesn't have the cutouts and can take a regular SE blade if you rip the spine off, it's a good shaver but no better than any other SE razor I have tried. I also have a few that do take the cutouts for and not sure what to do with them.

My understanding is that you can still use them , there is a blade man. by feather that fits it , but it is not a cheap blade ( about a $1 a blade )

 

[MrGuy]

Great shaves!
I only strop carbon blades, stainless coated blades really don't see any benefit from the stropping. They are really fun to use. All those gears and switches and what not. All that blade exposed near the top. I can't help but think the bus driver from Slap Shot helped design this razor... "I'm makin' it look mean!!!"

 

[RocketMan]

An early Auto Strop (the Valet name was not adopted until about 10 yrs after production started) is a pleasure to shave with using a modified Ted Pella. It certainly beats any double edge hands down - and is right up there with the best of the early lather catchers. Of course while the early models in my opinion were better, their handles were quite serviceable up until they stopped manufacturing the Model C in the late 20's.

One of my favorite shavers!

 

[auk1124]

How do you tell the usable-with-modified-SE-blade AutoStrops from the non-usable ones?

 

[DavyRay]

This thread inspired me to shave with my Auto-Strop razor for the first time. I have some PAL SE blades, so I removed the spine from one. It took a few minutes to figure out how to insert the blade properly.

I only made one pass. I was cautious. It worked for me, though was not a great shave. Practice, and a better blade will probably get me better results.

The printing on the inside of the metal box reads "AutoStrop", "Safety Razor". No mention of "Valet" anywhere.