questions on valet setup

[D1ES3L]

Just picked this up. I'm trying to figure out a few things as this is my first safety razor.

How can I find out what year this was manufactured?

What blades can I use on this? Will I be limited to valet blades only due to it utilizing the valet cut out on the blade it self to secure it?

My leather strop is somewhat dry. Would it be a bad idea to try to treat the leather with some mink oil or some other leather additive to soften it?

Thanks in advance!

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/7596/184iu.jpg (http://img413.imageshack.us/i/184iu.jpg/)

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/9431/192r.jpg (http://img545.imageshack.us/i/192r.jpg/)

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7130/190ke.jpg (http://img87.imageshack.us/i/190ke.jpg/)

http://img802.imageshack.us/img802/7994/195g.jpg (http://img802.imageshack.us/i/195g.jpg/)

[michiganlover]

There were at least two slightly different models of the Valet Auto Strop. The version you have which uses the word "valet" to secure the blade, and a later version in which the blade just slid in from the side.

The version that utilizes the "valet" cutout to secure the blade is probably best kept as a display piece. The vintage blades (out of the box) are not going to be sharp enough to shave with (being vintage carbon steel). You could attempt to sharpen them on a hone, but it's a lot of bother.

The other model (which you slide the blade in from the side) can be made to work with a standard SE blade that has been modified (consisting of removing the spine of the blade, and cutting some of the blade away).

Neither model has new blades available for it.

Here is a video of modifying a blade for this version of the razor:

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

[BigFoot]

I have one in excellent condition, that is the way it will stay, cause I sure as hell aint gonna try to shave with it.:lol:

[Slash McCoy]

I have several, and I have shaved with a couple of them. Definitely as good as a Rolls, and nearly as good as a DE blade.

The NOS blades generally must be stropped before use, due to their age. If you have more than one strop, I suggest loading one of them with diamond or CrOx paste. Keep the strop nice and taut when stropping. There is no reason why you couldn't make yourself a strop for your Valet. Just copy the one you got.

By all means, apply some neats foot oil or some other leather dressing to your original strop. It is OLD, and it will crack if you mess with it when it is dried out.

[alex2363]

i have a mint in case unused....

[binowatch]

this weekend I was at a gunshow and while looking at a box of old pocket knives I spotted a piece of leather which I recognized at a Valet strop-$10 later (he wouldn't budge!) and it was mine. I have the razor and an old blade on the way to use as a template for modifying new SE blades. The purchase was more just to complete the set.

[cstokes4]

I thought about buying one of these at an antique shop, but.... looks like too much of a pain. I may still pick one up if I can get if for cheap, though.

[HoosierTrooper]

this weekend I was at a gunshow and while looking at a box of old pocket knives I spotted a piece of leather which I recognized at a Valet strop-$10 later (he wouldn't budge!) and it was mine. I have the razor and an old blade on the way to use as a template for modifying new SE blades. The purchase was more just to complete the set.

I like to use an Autostrop Model C on occasion with a modified SE blade. All I do is remove the spine and they fit perfectly. I don't trim anything from the blade.

[D1ES3L]

How can I figure out the year of this beautiful piece of machinery?