View attachment 227690
View attachment 227691
SOTD FRIDAY, June 5, 2020
I own four Valet Auto Strop (VAS) razors, all of which I’ve shaved with except for my silver plated VB2 model. That razor and my NOS Le Coq Cage Head are the only two in my collection that I’ve never used. My other three VAS razors are all great head and face shavers. Today I decided to shave with the VB2. Tomorrow I’ll shave with the Le Coq.
The VB2 model was made between 1922 and 1929 and predated the Probak razor model that Henry Gaismann used to take over Gillette. It, like all VAS razors I’ve shaved with, turned out to be a great shaver as well. Software selected for the shave was Nancy Boy Signature shave cream and balm, and my brush was one of my four Jayaruh Custom brushes - the #374 Boar.
I loaded the VAS with a Feather FHS-10 blade and began my shave. The Nancy Boy generated its usual thick, yogurty lather with the help of the Jayaruh Boar. While not a fan of these particular Feather blades, my modified Gem didn’t fit well because of the raised indents in the blade receiver. Despite this, the shave went quite well.
After my shower and cold water rinse, I lathered up and had a good first pass (WTG). The Nancy Boy provided a great cushion as the razor sheared through the 36 hours growth of whiskers practically down to the skin line. The second pass (ATG) made short work of the remaining stubble and put the baby to bed leaving your surprised narrator with an excellent BBS, not quite to the VBBS level, but I’ll attribute that to the blade and not the razor. I feel clean, smooth and refreshed.
RAZOR: Valet Auto Strop Model VB2
BLADE: Feather FHS-10
PREP: Cold water rinse
BRUSH: Jayaruh Custom Boar #374
CREAM: Nancy Boy Signature
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with Glyce Glycerin soap followed by Humphreys Lilac WH and Nancy Boy Signature Scent Cooling Aftershave Gel.
Click to expand...
