“Valet” AutoStrop Razors - Posts and Discussions

[Tanuki]

I've been on a every third day shaving rotation. Just.Too.Busy. I hope that's over.

VC1
Kai Best carbon (4)
Safety blade paddle strop, 200k/0.1u diamond paste - 20 laps
AutoStrop - 10 laps
Williams Mug stick, Strong Set boar (re-knotted)
witch hazel, Pinaud Virgin Islands Bay Rum

I gave this shave my top rating, a first with the Kai BEST. The VC1/Kai carbon combo dealt efficiently with third day stubble. It was very comfortable snd free of irritation, as tested with VIBR. The result was very close in the easy spots, plenty close in the hard spots, and a little off the top mark in the hardest spot. Nothing to complain about.

A pasted strop seems essential to turning the carbon BEST into a decent shaver. I'll see how many shaves I will trust this blade to deliver.

 

[ouchyfoot]

Razor: AutoStrop Valet VC4 (1940-1946?)
Blade: Feather FHS-10 SE (6)
Brush: Semogue - Owner Club 24mm (Boar)
Pre-Shave: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Lather: Tabac Original
Aftershave: Chiseled Face -Ghost Town Barber

Updating my Gear
Still trying to clear up my “in use” blade backlog for my Autostrops. I originally thought this blade only had one shave on it, but it seems it was really five. Another aggressive Autostrop shave, but with no nicks, cuts or post shave sensations.
As well as using an outdated razor, I also used a soap with an outdated scent. Kind of like an old man from the 1970’s vibe. I did my best to cover it up with an old fashioned cowboy scent that’s still works in the modern era.

 

[ouchyfoot]

Razor: AutoStrop Valet VC4 (1940-1946?)
Blade: AutoStrop - “Valet” Vintage (5)
Brush: Dscosmetic - SHD Manchurian GelTip (26mm)
Pre-Shave: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Lather: Chiseled Face - Ghost Town Barber (silk tallow base)
Aftershave: Strike Gold - The Gipper

Ghost town shave, the past comes back to pamper me.
I’ve been on a roll with my various Autostrops and various blade combos lately, and this pairing just clicked. I gave my vintage Valet blade 20 strops before it’s fifth outing and got wonderful results with it in my VC4.
Very smooth without the agressive feeling the Feather FAS-10(6) gave me, especially on that important first pass. Even though it seemed less agressive, it was still just as efficient.
I seem to have forgotten about Ghost Town Barber in my soap rotation and that was a mistake. If you want to judge the protective qualities of a soap, take it out for a spin with an Autostrop razor. GTB gets an A+. Top it all off with another ghost, and Ronnie will leave you smelling like a real man…right down to the gunpowder.

 

[Angus MacAngus]

Gentlemen, I am looking at a Valet, because why not. I'm trying to figure out what it is, and if it will use a modified GEM blade. If I need to use the Feather blades, I'm ok with that, but a GEM blade gives me another option.

 

[Tanuki]

and if it will use a modified GEM blade

The punched tabs on the V and T will certainly prevent loading the usual modified Gem blade. Vintage AutoStrop blades are sometimes in usable shape, if you have a strop.

 

[ouchyfoot]

That’s a VC4 and it will not accept a modified GEM blade.
If you get hold of a VCI, you can use a modified GEM.

 

[Angus MacAngus]

Thank you gents. I'll see if I can find a VC1. If not I'll suck it up and use the Feather blades.

 

[ouchyfoot]

Here is a guid for the GEM blade modification

“Valet” AutoStrop Razors - Posts and Discussions

Is that a real “B” or a B1 or a VB1? This razor, which isn't playing by the rules in the AutoStrop typology thread. Do you have a picture of the real model B? Somewhere around here I have an AutoStrop pamphlet that refers to the model B, but I can't find it. I don't have the Waits book.

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[ouchyfoot]

Razor: AutoStrop Valet - VB1 (1921-1929)
Blade: AutoStrop - “Valet” - Vintage (6)
Brush: Spiffo - Alezeh (High Mountain White SHD-Fan) 26mm
Pre-Shave: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser
Lather: Purely Skinful - BAR-BEAR-IC (Black Bear Tallow)
Aftershave: Purely Skinful: BAR-BEAR-IC (Splash)

 

[Whiterook]

Razor: Valet AutoStrop VC4 Gold Single Edge Razor
Blade: Feather FHS10 single edge
Brush: Rudy Vey Badger & Blade 2020 Group Buy #4/30
Pre-Shave: Proraso White
Lather: Shannon's Soaps Indigo Oud
Aftershave: Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
Additional Care:
Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel Rose Petal
Imperial Leather Talcum Powder

 

[ouchyfoot]

Razor: AutoStrop - 7 O’Clock (1911-12) London, England
Blade: GEM (Personna) PTFE - Modified for 7 O’Clock (6)
Brush: Henri et Victoria - Karma (synthetic) 25mm
Pre-Shave: Jack Black Beard Lube
Lather: Bartigan & Stark - Nil
Aftershave: Barrister & Mann Reserve - Cool
Additional Care:
AutoStrop - Cigar Cutter/Utility Knife x 4

 

[Tanuki]

AutoStrop - Cigar Cutter/Utility Knife x 4

You've cornered the market!

What you need is a Swiss Army knife with a cigar cutter. Or you could graft a corkscrew on the AutoStrop multi-tool.

Victorinox Swiss Army Cigar 36 Multi-Tool​

 

[ouchyfoot]

You've cornered the market!

What you need is a Swiss Army knife with a cigar cutter. Or you could graft a corkscrew on the AutoStrop multi-tool.


View attachment 1398981

Victorinox Swiss Army Cigar 36 Multi-Tool​

I actually found a 1901 cigar cutter, knife, corkscrew, but the price was a little steep. I don’t smoke, so I’m keeping my collection to the Autostrop brand although I did see a PAL cigar cutter once. I’m kicking myself for not grabbing it.

 

[Whiterook]

Razor: AutoStrop B1 Set
Blade: Feather FHS10 single edge
Brush: Rudy Vey 2020 B & B Group Buy
Pre-Shave: Proraso White
Lather: Shannon's Soaps Indigo Oud
Aftershave: Shannon's Soaps Indigo Oud Aftershave Splash
Additional Care:
Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel Rose Petal
Imperial Leather Talcum Powder

 

[Whiterook]

Razor: AutoStrop A2
Blade: Feather FHS10 single edge
Brush: Rudy Vey 2020 B & B Group Buy
Pre-Shave: Proraso White
Lather: Shannon's Soaps Indigo Oud
Aftershave: Shannon's Soaps Indigo Oud Aftershave Splash
Additional Care:
Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel Rose Petal
Imperial Leather Talcum Powder

 

[Whiterook]

Razor: AutoStrop B1 Set
Blade: Personna Gem PTFE blade, modified for AutoStrop
Brush: Made-Rite 500PB, Silvertip Badger
Pre-Shave: Proraso White
Lather: Mauer & Wirtz Tabac
Aftershave: Maurer & Wirtz Tabac Aftershave Lotion
Additional Care:
Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel Unscented
Imperial Leather Talcum Powder

 

[Whiterook]

Razor: Valet AutoStrop VC3 Gold Single Edge razor
Blade: Feather FHS10 single edge
Brush: Jayaruh #163 White Queen in synthetic
Pre-Shave: Proraso White
Lather: Mauer & Wirtz Tabac
Aftershave: Maurer & Wirtz Tabac Aftershave Lotion
Additional Care:
Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel Unscented

 

[Whiterook]

Razor: Valet AutoStrop VC4 Gold Single Edge Razor
Blade: Feather FHS10 single edge
Brush: Rudy Vey 2020 B & B Group Buy
Pre-Shave: Proraso White
Lather: Shannon's Soaps Barbershop
Aftershave: Mennen Skin Bracer
Additional Care:
Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel

 

[Whiterook]

Razor: AutoStrop B1 Set
Blade: Personna Gem PTFE blade, modified for AutoStrop
Brush: Simpson Captain 2 Best Badger
Pre-Shave: Proraso White
Lather: Zingari Man The Gent
Aftershave: Mennen Skin Bracer
Additional Care:
Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel Unscented

It's been awhile!

 

[TuchiBaluchi]

today i shaved with the vb2 using an original blade. It was the 3rd shave with this blade and it was much better than the last 2 times. It took lots of stropping but i finally got a smooth shave with this blade. I habe the full set, but the little blade holder is not in the shot. 8/10 for today. I really love this razor.