“…I never tire of watching the blade flip back and forth as you slide the razor along the strop.”
Made in England, Valet AutoStrop razors were very popular in the 1930’s and 40’s. They are single edge safety razors, with a very unique selling point. Due to the technology of the era, carbon steel disposable blades were not as reliable as a genuine barbers straight razor. However, the times were changing and many men preferred to shave at home. The Valet razor head accomodates a leather strop than can be pased through it, and a set of cogs in the head allowed you to strop the razor blade much like a barber does. This kept the edge on Valet razors keener for longer. The razors were very widely sold here in South Africa, and come up fairly often in vintage auctions and antique shops.
I finally got my hands on a Valet Autostrop VC3 model (circa 1943). The razor came with the case and the leather strop. The overall condition was very good, with a bit of tarnishing on the handle. The head was like new. There were various models made over the years, and this model uses two ear like flaps on the either side of the head to retain blade. A lever bar at the back locks and releases the head for stropping and changing out the blades. The razor has an open comb rake, that would make highly effective against longer stubble. (Probably more common at the time).
One of the main issues With Valet razors is getting blades. Original Valet razor blades are no longer manufactured. There 3 options available : Source vintage original blades (not easy), Gem Blades (Modifications to razor and blade are needed), Feather FHS-10 blades (these Japanese blades are super sharp and fit most Valet models)
If you are using Gem blades then the blade spine has to be removed. It is a fairly easy process. I grip the spine with a pair of pliers and bend the blade up and down carefully until it just pops out.
There are many models of Valet razors, and they seemed very particular about making people buy the original Valet blades. They put in retention pins into the head over the years that fitted into the word Valet cut out in the blade. (In the picture below you will see two small holes at the top of “V” and the “T” – these are the retention pins. Since the Gem blades don’t have this, I had to make a small modification to the razor. I cut off the retention pins using electrical flush cutting snips (use goggles – the pins fly off quite fast ).
I oiled the strop with some leather dressing and the strop mechanism still works great. I never tire of watching the blade flip back and forth as you slide the razor along the strop.
The thing that has impressed me is how well the heads are made. Very solid. (I suppose that’s why we see so many around these days.)
So how does it shave: I’m happy to report quite a mild friendly shaver. You really have to give it a bit of angle though – I held it almost 10 degrees to the face like a straight razor. I would put it in the same league as an Ever-Ready / Gem 1912 model.
The only problem I had with the Valet was the handle. I found the handle to be a bit short and thin for my liking. However, this could have been due to issues sourcing steel during the war years.
There is always something special about shaving with a vintage razor. My final thoughts on the Valet Autostrop: The handles are not of the highest quality but the heads are fantastic, and they shave very (very!) well. A mild comfortable shave. Not overly aggressive.
PS. iver Valley Trading has stock of Gem blades, we are getting Feather FHS-10 blades in stock soon.
