AutoStrop Razors

[Jayaruh]

I think AutoStrop razors are pretty cool. Invented by Henry Gaisman in 1906. His razor featured the ability to strop their proprietary blades in the razor with their proprietary strop without removing them from the razor.
I have my share of AutoStrop razors including the A1 and A2.

After a search, I found a video I made six years ago where I am shaving with the A1 with a Valet blade. I even use an AutoStrop strop to prepare the blade for the shave.

 

[Jayaruh]

This is the A1. It is the first of the AutoStrops. The handle is fixed to the head, and there is a button to push instead of a lever.


It says AutoStrop on the top.

The handle is fixed to the head.

There is a serial number on the end of the handle

 

[Jayaruh]

The A2 is the second iteration. It has a fixed handle with a square lug.

The handle is afixed with two screws.

Open comb.

It has AutoStrop on the blade holder.

Like the A1 it has a push button to engage/disengage the blade holder.

It also has the serial number on the handle.

 

[Jayaruh]

This is my B1 AutoStrop.

It says AutoStrop on the top. There is a leaver on the back that lowers and raises the blade holder.

The handle is detachable.

 

[Jayaruh]

This is my B2 AutoStrop. There is an interesting story. I found it on eBay and something looked funky. If you look at the razor from the front, the gears should be on the right. The one pictured on eBay had them on the left. When it reached me, sure enough the gears were on the left.

Gears are on the wrong side.

After a good cleaning, I reassembled it with the gears on the right side. The B2 says AutoStrop Razor on the blade holder.

The handle is detachable.

 

[Vittoria]

Great thread @Jayaruh I have a small collection of Auto strops myself but no A1 it's rare to even see one.
I enjoy the the stropping of the razor as you know the only way that works is the one in your video I have wrecked a few strops over
the year any other angle and you have a 2 piece strop
Cheers.

 

[brit]

My Valet Autostrops..
I have 3 in total,all made after the Gillette/Autostrop merger .2 British VC3..


..and a Canadian VC4..




These late 1930's-45 models will only accept original or Feather HS-10 blades.

 

[Jayaruh]

My Valet Autostrops..
I have 3 in total,all made after the Gillette/Autostrop merger .2 British VC3..
View attachment 527

..and a Canadian VC4..

View attachment 528


These late 1930's-45 models will only accept original or Feather HS-10 blades.

Of all my AutoStrops, I have no cases for them. Those are really nice.

 

[brit]

Of all my AutoStrops, I have no cases for them. Those are really nice.

Thank you Jim.The wooden case used to be covered with leather,and the silver case is from a VB1 set.The bakelite case set or #99 is original with it's short handle.

 

[Jayaruh]

This is my VB1 with ornate handle. The name is Valet Auto Strop Razor. It has a front half blade holder. It has a roller strop guide and a removable handle. It is an open comb with blade stops. It uses Valet, Feather or modified Gem blades.

 

[Jayaruh]

This is my VB2. The name Valet is engraved with a double frame around it. It has a full blade door that opens on a hinge. It uses a Valet or Feather blade. Has rolling strop guides front and back, and a removable handle. It is open combed with no blade stops.

 

[Jayaruh]

This is my VC3 razor with a valet handle. It has Valet on the full front door. It uses Valet, Feather blades and is held in place with pins and tabs on sides. It has an open comb with blade stops.



When I found this razor on eBay, it was paired with a Gem 20s ornate handle. That made the razor useless because it could not be opened to add or remove a blade. It also says Gillette Safety Razor Co. AutoStrop Division on the back.