Auto-Strop...worthless?

[DonOhio]

My dad found one and sprung it on me for Christmas. It's complete and in working order (the razor; there's no strop) but the blade is heavily rusted and appears designed to never come out.

a. Is there a workaround to make one of these shavable?

b. If so, is doing it worth the effort?

[82R100]

The blade is readily removable, even if the mechanism is not immediately obvious.

NOS blades can be found on the bay from time to time. Feather makes compatible blades but doesn't export them to the U.S.

My advise is to proceed slowly (clean it up and learn the device) and snatch up a few blades by and by (and an appropriate strop).

- Chris

[napoleon]

If the model is correct, you can try this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7Bq0nLygEg

Not try, you can do this! I know I do. Strops are useless with today's blades.

[JoeH]

Fyi, there's a video on how to modify a single edge blade for use in an Autostrop razor.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7Bq0nLygEg.

Pay attention at the beginning where the guy tells you which model his technique works with.

[JoeH]

<Amazing how the two of us hit the same link within seconds.>

[DonOhio]

EDIT: Duh, nevermind, it's out. Just push in on the...yeah. Got it.

Thank you both! Can't really tell from his video but mine says 1912, so I'm guessing it's the one he works with. I just can't see how to get the end clip off of the old blade, much less replace it on a new one?

[MrGuy]

My Auto Strop had a patent date of April 9, 1912, and it works fine with the techniques in the video. If you're wondering how to remove the spine from the SE blade, Dave (the guy in the video) had another video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4exDJXACHg&NR=1) on how to do that. He uses a nail remover tool, but I just use a regular pair of pliers. I use my Auto Strop pretty often and love the way they shave, if you have any more questions, I'll do my best to help answer them.

[DonOhio]

I understood how to modify an existing SE; I got hung up misreading the small coil of brass at the end of the original blade. Pressed down on it and presto, the blade pulled right out. But it's too much trouble for me to end up shaving with an SE, which I still don't care for and can do now with Gems, so I just put it up for swap at the BST. Thanks!

[MrGuy]

I got ya'. They are a lot of fun to use, but yes a bit labor intensive. Good luck with your trade:thumbup1: