Vintage Gold Tone Valet Auto-Strop Razor @ Time’s Tin Cup !
The Valet Auto-Strop Razor is a vintage, manual shaving instrument that was first introduced in the early 20th Century by the American Safety Razor Company, now known as Edgewell Custom Brands.
This razor had a unique design that would sharpen the blade as it was being used. The blade would strop against a metal plate which kept it sharp. The blade was also adjustable to allow customization of the shave which prevented nicks and cuts.
The Auto-Strop Razor became a Tool of the Trade of Barber Shops. Barber Shops date back to 296 B.C. Greece. Men frequented the Barber Shop for grooming, updates on local news and gossip; as well as for medical services! Barbers not only cut hair and shaved men; but they pulled teeth, bloodlet with leeches and performed minor surgeries. The barber was the original general practitioner. Barbers medical skills did not separate into separate fields of Doctors and Dentists until the mid 1800s.
Even after the fields of practice started to divide, barber shops remained an important part of many men’s lives to relax and socialize while getting groomed.