wedge
SE Super Freak
Posts: 42
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Post by wedge on Jun 8, 2019 21:13:58 GMT -6
i have several 5 packs of NOS “rustless” Valet autostrop blades. I cleaned and sanitized one with barbecide. I then stropped it for ten passes using the strop included with the kit. I loaded it into my VC1 to give it a spin. What a disappointment! It wouldn’t cut. Is the blade too old even though it has been sitting unopened for several years or do I need to strop it some more? I finished the shave with a Feather SE. That turned out with better results.
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wedge
SE Super Freak
Posts: 42
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Post by wedge on Jun 9, 2019 6:17:26 GMT -6
I think I’m in the wrong forum!! 😡
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Post by jayaruh on Jun 9, 2019 6:25:14 GMT -6
I just cleaned up a NOS Valet AutoStrop blade in preparation for shaving starting Monday. I, too, stropped it. I will probably strop it again before shaving with it. I will let you know how it goes. It was sure greased down really well. It is a lot of trouble to go through for a bad shave. I am hoping for better results.
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Post by wchnu on Jun 9, 2019 7:57:40 GMT -6
I have never gotten a vintage valet blade to shave. I did get a autostrop blade to shave a few times in a A1.
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Post by wchnu on Jun 9, 2019 8:02:50 GMT -6
I think I’m in the wrong forum!! 😡 Fixed that for you.
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Post by jayaruh on Jun 9, 2019 8:24:00 GMT -6
I have never gotten a vintage valet blade to shave. I did get a autostrop blade to shave a few times in a A1. That's too bad. It is such a cool looking razor. I wonder if the blades really worked well back in the day. I am glad we can still use a modified SE in the razor. If I can't get the Valet AS blade to work for me, I have a Blue Star standing by.
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rayr
Blade King
Posts: 427
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Post by rayr on Jun 9, 2019 9:30:47 GMT -6
As I just did a shave with a NOS Valet Autostrop blade this week, I was able to get a decent shave but the blade could have been sharper. I don't know if it is age that deteriorates the edge over the decades or that this is what they really were like back I the day. The blade was very sharp out of the wrapper and sliced through a piece of paper like a hot knife through butter, but I think I'm going to try honing the edge a little more and strop some more and see if I get even better results. SOTD Valet Autostrop VC2 w/ Vintage Blade
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2019 9:31:37 GMT -6
i have several 5 packs of NOS “rustless” Valet autostrop blades. I cleaned and sanitized one with barbecide. I then stropped it for ten passes using the strop included with the kit. I loaded it into my VC1 to give it a spin. What a disappointment! It wouldn’t cut. Is the blade too old even though it has been sitting unopened for several years or do I need to strop it some more? I finished the shave with a Feather SE. That turned out with better results. I had the same experience. I also shaved with an original autostrop blade with no cutouts. The WW1 version. It was a good smooth shave. Guess the rustless were bad blades.
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wedge
SE Super Freak
Posts: 42
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Post by wedge on Jun 9, 2019 14:36:14 GMT -6
How do you hone those guys, with stones or film?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 9, 2019 18:59:26 GMT -6
I would look under an eye loupe first. If its not chipped I would get a spare strop and load it with green chrome oxide. That should be enough to get it sharp.
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wedge
SE Super Freak
Posts: 42
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Post by wedge on Jun 9, 2019 20:43:36 GMT -6
Can do. Thanks
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rayr
Blade King
Posts: 427
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Post by rayr on Jun 10, 2019 10:46:41 GMT -6
I tried it again over the weekend, I actually used my Spyderco Sharpmaker to sharpen the edge a little more, swiping the blades about 6 times on the fine stones and then stropped the blade. The edge was sharper but I can't get past the roughness of the carbon steel blade feel for me. The shave was pretty much the same as the first time but with no post shave irritation. So back to the drawing board and see if can improve the blade some more.
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Post by jayaruh on Jun 10, 2019 17:50:01 GMT -6
Well, I had a successful shave with this Valet AutoStrop blade in my AutoStrop A1 razor today. It wasn't as sharp as a modern blade, but it did the job with no irritation. So, I will continue tomorrow. I am stropping before and after the shave.
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Post by bcshaves on Jun 10, 2019 18:35:11 GMT -6
Well, I had a successful shave with this Valet AutoStrop blade in my AutoStrop A1 razor today. It wasn't as sharp as a modern blade, but it did the job with no irritation. So, I will continue tomorrow. I am stropping before and after the shave. Is that soap any good?
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Post by dirving79 on Jun 10, 2019 19:15:20 GMT -6
What’s always worked for me as far as reviving them is a mild honing on a curved safety razor blade hone (they’re all over eBay) and a 20-30 round on the strop, with added use of both as necessary. As jayaruh mentioned, it’s definitely different than a modern blade but once you nail it it’s actually an enjoyable shave. Ymmv 👍🏼
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