Some Autostrop questions

[Lucidor]

I finally got around to trying my Autostrop razor this morning. I got it rather cheaply from the Swedish ebay some time back, and to be honest the purchase was to some part anyway motivated by the looks. It's my most cyberpunk razor to date. Cleaning it yesterday made me a bit worried since the teeth part wasn't anywhere near the blade when the razor was closed and this morning confirmed my suspicions.

It was just a blade in a stick. Shaving the first pass was very tense, and after the second pass, I gave it up for the Super Speed.



Looking more closely, the comb seems sort of bent away from the edge guards (or perhaps the other way around). What's the concensus about bending the teeth? Do, or don't, like with the Gillettes.

 

[Mike H]

Your teeth look a little bent?

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/270062-Valet-Auto-Strop?highlight=autostrop

 

[Lucidor]

Yes, I'm afraid they are bent. The question is, how much trying to get them back in shape do I dare to put the razor through?

 

[BowTieGuy]

Must be the rarest of the rare! The seldom-seen Valet SLANT Autostrop. ; ) Good luck with it - I'd say go ahead and try to bend them back, if it doesn't work there are plenty of other Autostrops out there to experiment with.

 

[Lucidor]

It seems bending wasn't as dangerous as I thought. It seems fine by me tonight. Test drive in the morning. I may be able to make it a tad more aggressive by lovering the teeth so the blade doesn't sit just on top of them.

 

[gene_stanley]

I just picked up a Valet Auto Strop razor w/out the strop, box, or guide. I bought it based on sight . . . a real simple beauty it has. anyway, my question is this: I have no strop nor have I used one in the past, so what purpose beyond refreshing a blade does it serve? would I need to pass a brand new blade over one or will I be good or with a razor right out of the pack?

 

[Lucidor]

None. I believe stropping a PTFE-coated new Feather would only serve to ruin it.

 

[gene_stanley]

I watched the youtube video about how to get a regular blade to work in a Valet. I can't wait to lug everything into the restroom and give it go. the after shave combined with a potentially torn up face may get me dancing. perhaps I'll shave to the sound style(ings) of some SKA - lol - thanks Lucidor for posting back. I feel a bit more a ease knowing it'll be fine.

 

[Lucidor]

Mine didn't shave very well after bending back the teeth, so any help in seeing how the teeth are supposed to look is appreciated. Especially a close up picture so I could see the gap between the blade and the teeth would be helpful.