Valet Id help,

[GeronimoWSB]

Pretty sure it's a vc1 but wanted to ask since stuck at home tonight lol.

 

[Flintstone65]

Either a VB1 or VC1. This link is my "go to" for Autostrop/Valet Autostrop ID questions: Autostrop/Valet Razors: A Topology

 

[GeronimoWSB]

That's what I was using, and thought. Shipping was more than the razor so that's not to bad. I wanted one a gem blade could be used as well. I have a very rough one I basically got for free, just wanted a nice one. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Flintstone65]

That's what I was using, and thought. Shipping was more than the razor so that's not to bad. I wanted one a gem blade could be used as well. I have a very rough one I basically got for free, just wanted a nice one. Thanks for the reply.

I have both a VB1 and VC1 and really can't tell them apart (except for the back roller). And I absolutely can't tell their shaves apart. I ONLY use de-spined GEM blades with my Autostrops / Valet Autostrops....which means that I stopped with the VC1 and never moved over to the proprietary blade Valets. I have a ton of GEM blades, and like them, and I didn't want another blade type (aka Valet), so that was my rationale. I will say that the later Autostrops (B1, B2, VB1 and VC1) are slightly better shavers than my A1's (US and Brit versions). They did a better job of locking the blade in place with that thumb lever than they did with the button push (IMO).

By the way, there are a couple of schools of thought on modding the GEM blade for this razor. I originally just de-spined my GEM and did not trim it, and then later I tried doing the trimming so that it looked closer to the Valet blade shape....gotta say, in my experience, the untrimmed blade was a little finicky to load, but once loaded, it felt like a more secure fit. It could be that I trimmed a bit too much, but I hate playing with a sharp piece of steel and aviation snips, so I'm happy to do just the de-spine. Please keep us/me posted on what mod you do to your GEM blade, and how you like the shave.

 

[BBS-1]

Without being able to see the side or the type of guide for the strop on the back of the razor I have to concur it is either VC1 or VB1.

 

[GeronimoWSB]

Without being able to see the side or the type of guide for the strop on the back of the razor I have to concur it is either VC1 or VB1.

Went back through the pics, vc1

 

[GeronimoWSB]

Just an fyi, it showed up yesterday and is in great shape, plan on using it soon with both a feather and a gem blade. Thanks for the help.

 

[GeronimoWSB]

Pretty easy and good shaver. Went very smooth, a couple weepers in my trouble spot with a fresh blade. I seem to go in cycle from perfect.shaves to good shaves with mystery weepers.

 

[Ron R]

I have a Canadian version of a C1, they look very similar to your model. I found mine a little harsh at first, previous owner did not look after it because I had to adjust a few things to make it usable and repaired a blade stop. I took the blade gap from .011 thousands of a inch to .007 thousands gap and that smoothed my C1 out nicely. I like to use it now, the brass they used is malleable and I boiled some water to let some stress out of the metal and slowly manipulated the teeth and took some pictures to make sure the teeth were even.(Nice little task for a hobby.)
The repaired blade stop is the one on the right!

Have some great shaves!

 

[Tedolph]

I find that with a fresh Feather HS blade, I always get a weeper with my beloved Model C. Subsequent shaves are fine. I know that stropping a SS blade is pointless, but I strop it anyway using the reverse rough side of the strop just yo clean off the blade.

Really, I think that the Auto Strop was the coolest razor ever made. I wish someone would make them again. I wonder how much they would cost?

 

[Ron R]

Some times I will palm strop my blade, it will help if any curling has occured of fine edge.(kinda dangerous but doable)

SOTD, Tue April 21st 2020

Razor : Valet Auto-strop C1 Canadian variant-MFG 1920's- modified blade gap from .011 to .007 thousands of a inch. Very smooth compared to earlier larger blade gap.
Blade : Gem Personna SS PTFE modified(5) excellent blade all the way around.
Soap: Italian barber Amici- very nice inexpensive soap that has good lather qualities.
Brush: Razorock Noir 400 plissoft synthetic. Great brush and shaves like a well broke in boar brush IMO.
Pre-shave: brush wash my whole face with CeraVe hand bar soap+ a dollop of clear Aloe Vera gel on beard area.
Prep: Cold water rinse after each pass of 3.
Post shave: Italian barber Amici with witch Hazel + a dollop of Nivea balm on shaved area.
Results: CCS,DFS,BBS + no irritation + no weepers -= great shave and hit targeted sweet spot.

Have some great shaves!