I've been inflicted with a serious case of SE related RAD over the last month or so. Among other things you could call me...I guess you can now add LOSER to the list! Anyway, I finally got some Feather single edge blades from RBM and gave the Autostrop a roll. The one I used was the Model C I think.... it's the one with the blade holder that does not have a swing open door. I don't usually have a problem laughing at my own dumb mistakes, so I will have to admit that I've had the Valet for about 3 years, and for a long time I thought the thing was missing a piece somewhere and couldn't figure out how in the world it would hold any blade. After deciding recently that I couldn't stand not knowing how it worked, and zooming into the instructions in a bunch of listings on the bay, I finally figured it out and bought some Feather blades. What an awesome awesome shave.
I was worried that I was going to get the same shave I've had several times from DE Feather blades. I've had more luck as my technique gets better, but several times I've used the DE Feathers and was impressed at how easily they cut through my stubble and how smooth and slick they felt and how comfortable they were, and then when I turned back to the mirror after looking down to grab my brush or something I'd realize that I'd sliced my face to ribbons and I had weepers everywhere!
The SE Feathers were very sharp, but more forgiving, and were a great match for the Valet and my technique.
Hoping to start a little discussion on the Autostrops and other shavers' experiences with them. Thoughts on how the different models compare? Any differences in them besides the different style blade holders? I'm particularly curious if anyone has tried an NOS Valet blade. If so, did you strop it first? Has anybody else noticed that the Feather blades don't quite match the pattern in the little tabs on the blade holders of some of the later models? It looks like it wouldn't be difficult to modify the Feathers to fit, but I haven't tried it yet.
I was worried that I was going to get the same shave I've had several times from DE Feather blades. I've had more luck as my technique gets better, but several times I've used the DE Feathers and was impressed at how easily they cut through my stubble and how smooth and slick they felt and how comfortable they were, and then when I turned back to the mirror after looking down to grab my brush or something I'd realize that I'd sliced my face to ribbons and I had weepers everywhere!
The SE Feathers were very sharp, but more forgiving, and were a great match for the Valet and my technique.
Hoping to start a little discussion on the Autostrops and other shavers' experiences with them. Thoughts on how the different models compare? Any differences in them besides the different style blade holders? I'm particularly curious if anyone has tried an NOS Valet blade. If so, did you strop it first? Has anybody else noticed that the Feather blades don't quite match the pattern in the little tabs on the blade holders of some of the later models? It looks like it wouldn't be difficult to modify the Feathers to fit, but I haven't tried it yet.