Hey Stan, I always grip my razors about 60% of the way down the handle from the base plate on the head. Some guys like to steady the razor with a finger on the bottom of it; except for a Super-109 which is kind of long to do that. I never needed any longer of a handle because of the way I grip. I like a Fatboy or Super-84 because they are smaller. The Bottom Dial doesn't figure into it for me or bother me one way or another.
Never say never Stan; you may get a Bottom Dial one way or another. Lucky find or monetary windfall. When I first became aware of these they were about $800 w/o a case. The last one on the bay went for like $3000 with out a case. A Bottom Dial case only went on the bay for $600 not too long ago and it was partially damaged. So, if things keep trending that way, it might not be a bad way to spend a monetary windfall. But you never know - it's a gamble - or, it's an investment. Best way to get one is to find it in an out of the way vintage shop or such for like $30!!!
Hi,
Yes. $30 sounds about my speed. $600, I would have a lot of trouble with. Never mind $3000. That is somewhat sad, because I think I would like using a bottom dial since it appears to me they put that in just the right spot for it to be a grip knob for my fingers.
But, the only razor I can think of which I would spend thousands on is the adjustable auto-loading/unloading original Techmatic. I think my money is safe there, though. Because that model never even made it to pre-series from what I can tell. Lab-made Prototypes only I strongly suspect.
Stan