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SOTD SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2020
Today I decided to shave with the final, and only, model of Valet Auto Strop (VAS) razor with a safety bar instead of an open comb, the Model VC4. All models of Auto Strop razor are great shavers. The only difference with this, the final model (1941-1946) that I can discern is a bit of a narrower sweet spot when contrasted with its predecessors. The shave yesterday with my Model VB2, made from 1927 into the 1930s by Gillette, marked the beginning of the blade holder indents that precluded the use of any blade but an Auto Strop according to Waits’s Compendium. Models prior to the VB2 work just fine with a modified Gem blade. All VAS razors work with the modern Feather FHS-10 or FAS-10 blade.
It appears that I’m developing an addiction to Nancy Boy Signature Shave cream. The post shave feel continues to build over the course of consecutive shaves, and, dare I say, is easily equivalent to, if not superior to MWF. Your humble narrator was a confirmed MWF super fan, until his encounter with Nancy Boy Signature. This quiet little company out of San Francisco does no traditional marketing, but rather has relied on word-of-mouth to build their business since 2002. This strategy has garnered them numerous awards over the years. Sharpologist acknowledged them in 2020 as “having limited availability, but stellar performance with or without a brush”. I’ve never used it without a brush, but I can see how, given its consistency- thick and rich creamy paste - it would perform well.
After showering and then rinsing with cold water, I pulled out a product I’d purchased several months ago and never used, Chel Cooling Gel, which is apparently equally effective pre or post shave. After applying it to both mug and noggin, I spent some time reorganizing my den before applying the Nancy Boy lather directly Over it with the Jayaruh Custom Rosewood Silvertip Badger #378. The synthetic menthol definitely behaved differently than the real deal. The aloe and other skin-friendly ingredients in the Chel felt great on both shave surfaces and continued to slowly and gradually build throughout the two and 1/2 passes (WTG, ATG, ATG) of the shave. Quite frankly, “me likee”! The one caution provided was to ensure one washed their hands after applying, as it is apparently very eye unfriendly. The VAS VC4, while it does have a narrower sweet spot is an exemplary shaver and gently eased yours truly into velveteen BBS land (VBBS). The Chel cool lasted at least an hour and a half into the morning post shave. I feel clean, extremely cool and refreshed.
RAZOR: Valet Auto Strop (Model VC4)
BLADE: Feather FHS-10
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by Chel Cooling Gel as Preshave
BRUSH: Jayaruh Custom Rosewood Silvertip Badger #378
CREAM: Nancy Boy Signature
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with Glyce Glycerin soap followed by Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Nancy Boy Cooling After-Shave Gel.
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