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Post by wchnu on Oct 20, 2019 12:26:43 GMT -6
After I bought my first AutoStrop several years ago, I really did not know anything about it, nor how to use the razor until I stumbled upon a very early YouTube "Shaving with Fuzzy" instructional video. After subscribing to the channel, I further learned about the carbon vs stainless Feather blades, but NOT until after I had already bought the carbon Feathers. I agree wholeheartedly with Fuzzy in that the carbon Feathers are for the most part pretty terrible, especially as compared with a good carbon desplined Treet or other brand SE blade. But I was determined to get at least an acceptable shave from that dreaded carbon Feather (AKA:FAS-10) blade. I found that using a good pre-shave really helps, especially if you apply a little of the pre-shave before lathering up for a second pass. Thus sounds like overkill, but it worked for me, and at least I was able to (eventually) use up my 30 carbon Feathers. Proraso (Sensitive Skin, the white container) or Mickey Lee Soapworks "The Kraken" work very well in this regard. Honestly now, I mostly only use my VC-1 with a desplined SE Gem or Treet blade, as the stainless Feather is expensive, and I usually can only get 2 good shaves from it. My other, later model Valets are mostly display-cabinet collectibles, now. Well glad that the videos helped. I have used a lot of iffy blades just to prove I could. Your a better man then me to shave with the Feather CS blades. I only get about the same two shaves from their SS. It is great to see that you are using the early models at least. I think the Valet is often very under rated. A razor is a razor, a blade is a blade. I generally agree, but not in this case. Feather SS SE blades are crap, their carbon blades should be banned from the planet! I agree. I would not want to use them to even scrape paint with.
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Post by Tony'schin on Dec 18, 2019 14:37:12 GMT -6
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TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
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Post by TobyC on Dec 18, 2019 16:06:07 GMT -6
VC3, not familiar with that handle, Feather blades might work. (there are some punch patterns that even the Feathers won't fit.
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rayr
Blade King
Posts: 427
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Post by rayr on Dec 18, 2019 16:23:35 GMT -6
Not familiar with the variations of British made Autostrop models, but the head is very much like the American VC3, with the open comb, the straight bar strop guide in the back and the blade door with the teardrop side clasps. Probably mid-1930's to 1940 I guess. If the pin arrangement in the back of the front cover where you place the blade lines up with the cutouts of a Feather FHS-10 blade, you should be good to go. Other than a vintage Valet carbon steel blade with the VALET cutouts, that's your only blade choice. The ball end handle is nice, I think the American version of the ball end handle only came with the VB2. You'll need an older model Autostrop with a friction plate to slide in a de-spined GEM blade.
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TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
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Post by TobyC on Dec 18, 2019 16:41:17 GMT -6
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Post by Tony'schin on Dec 18, 2019 23:41:17 GMT -6
Thanks TobyC & rayr, I looked at that site but nothing matched. I will see, it only cost pennies on the bay. Its a bit of fun and a nice looking g thing. T
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Post by Tony'schin on Dec 21, 2019 10:32:09 GMT -6
Not familiar with the variations of British made Autostrop models, but the head is very much like the American VC3, with the open comb, the straight bar strop guide in the back and the blade door with the teardrop side clasps. Probably mid-1930's to 1940 I guess. If the pin arrangement in the back of the front cover where you place the blade lines up with the cutouts of a Feather FHS-10 blade, you should be good to go. Other than a vintage Valet carbon steel blade with the VALET cutouts, that's your only blade choice. The ball end handle is nice, I think the American version of the ball end handle only came with the VB2. You'll need an older model Autostrop with a friction plate to slide in a de-spined GEM blade. As if by magic the feather blades and the Valet turned up. The blades fit so I am good to go. It also has 10 wrapped original blades in the box. It actually looks unused. It has been cleaned and barbicide dipped rinsed loaded and ready to go. Whoo hoo!👍🏻 Has anyone tried to remove or file off the small pins so it can take a despined Gem? T
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TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
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Post by TobyC on Dec 21, 2019 13:22:24 GMT -6
Not familiar with the variations of British made Autostrop models, but the head is very much like the American VC3, with the open comb, the straight bar strop guide in the back and the blade door with the teardrop side clasps. Probably mid-1930's to 1940 I guess. If the pin arrangement in the back of the front cover where you place the blade lines up with the cutouts of a Feather FHS-10 blade, you should be good to go. Other than a vintage Valet carbon steel blade with the VALET cutouts, that's your only blade choice. The ball end handle is nice, I think the American version of the ball end handle only came with the VB2. You'll need an older model Autostrop with a friction plate to slide in a de-spined GEM blade. As if by magic the feather blades and the Valet turned up. The blades fit so I am good to go. It also has 10 wrapped original blades in the box. It actually looks unused. It has been cleaned and barbicide dipped rinsed loaded and ready to go. Whoo hoo!👍🏻 Has anyone tried to remove or file off the small pins so it can take a despined Gem? T I don't have one with the punch holes, but I have wondered about that. What is there to stop the back edge of the blade?
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TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
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Post by TobyC on Dec 21, 2019 13:29:12 GMT -6
There is nothing there to stop the blade from pushing back, it relies on the pins for that.
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Flintstone
Lather Catcher
Scraper Blade Shaver...
Posts: 908
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Post by Flintstone on Dec 21, 2019 13:54:15 GMT -6
Not familiar with the variations of British made Autostrop models, but the head is very much like the American VC3, with the open comb, the straight bar strop guide in the back and the blade door with the teardrop side clasps. Probably mid-1930's to 1940 I guess. If the pin arrangement in the back of the front cover where you place the blade lines up with the cutouts of a Feather FHS-10 blade, you should be good to go. Other than a vintage Valet carbon steel blade with the VALET cutouts, that's your only blade choice. The ball end handle is nice, I think the American version of the ball end handle only came with the VB2. You'll need an older model Autostrop with a friction plate to slide in a de-spined GEM blade. As if by magic the feather blades and the Valet turned up. The blades fit so I am good to go. It also has 10 wrapped original blades in the box. It actually looks unused. It has been cleaned and barbicide dipped rinsed loaded and ready to go. Whoo hoo!👍🏻 Has anyone tried to remove or file off the small pins so it can take a despined Gem? T There is nothing there to stop the blade from pushing back, it relies on the pins for that. What I've seen more often is folks punching holes in GEM blades to allow them to pass through the pins. I've seen folks file the pins on the VB2, but it has a door that closes, so I'm assuming that holds the blade in place. As for me, I stick with the Autostrops (A1, A2, B1, B2) and the pin-less Valet Autostrops (VB1, VC1) so I can use de-spined Gem blades.
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Post by Tony'schin on Dec 21, 2019 14:05:20 GMT -6
I will see how I get on with the Feather blades, its said they have poor longevity, I will soon find out. The centre punched tag will hold the gem in place on the version I have so i may file off the 2 tiny outer pins - not sure yet.
I have a VC1 on route from across the pond.
T
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TobyC
Gem Star
Old stick in the mud.
Posts: 2,400
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Post by TobyC on Dec 21, 2019 14:41:46 GMT -6
VB1, VC1, and earlier for me, the later ones don't have anything unique to offer, so not worth the extra effort for me, and I'm not a collector, just some guy who shaves.
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Post by Tony'schin on Dec 27, 2019 4:06:25 GMT -6
I found mine on this site. It looks pretty comprehensive. Valet
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