At last, my birth year razor!

[tfinch]

It was a long search, but I finally found one. 1981 was a good year, but it must have been a slow year for Gillette. Here's a B4 Super Adjustable, in quite nice shape.


This is also my first SA, and I'm really surprised. I always thought they'd feel less substantial or cheaper somehow - not so. This razor feels really solid and well made. In fact the doors open with more authority and the adjustment dial clicks more sharply than my 3 slims or 2 fatboys. It arrived just in time for today's shave, and my impressions are it shaves just like it's Slim ancestor and handles just as well also.

 

[ironfist]

Very nice Never used one personally but i can imagine it shaves good

 

[bakerbarber]

Nice one.

Congratulations on finding it, and lucky you to get one in such great looking condition.

Mine is similar, I'm in the Z code. It took me what seemed like forever to find the right year and quarter. So when I saw another I jumped on it as a backup. When I found a third I couldn't resist... Vicious cycle. I haven't found a black handled Super Speed yet though.

What I think is especially great about the Super Adjustable razors, in addition to what you've said, is that the head has a low profile and is easy to maneuver. One of my trouble spots is under my nostrils.

You're also spot on about them being much more robust then you would think. The plastic base plate is not flimsy. The handle is well balanced and not chintzy. The adjustments are rigid and assertive. The handle length is something I really appreciate having grown up on cartridges.

One of the biggest hurdles for me when I first switched to DE razors was that the short handles relative to carts never seemed to feel right in my hand. The Super Adjustable models are great in the handle length and balance department.

Keep it away from Oxyclean. Unless you want the black finish to fade or turn a eerie shade of light gray. If you do get a chip in the black finish, you can touch it up easy with a Sharpie or a little black nail polish or model paint.

I also prefer the lined handles over the later waffle pattern knurling that came out toward the end of Gillette's DE production. The waffle is weak.

Enjoy the BY razor old man!!

 

[UKMerk]

well done on find your birth date razor, It looks to be in superb condition.

My grail is now a short handle super adjustable, so i'm pretty jealous!!

 

[Yellowstone]

I bought mine and was explaining it to my son. He just started shaving and is manning up to DE. He was disappointed that he would never be able to get a birth year razor, so I'm having mine replated and will give to him as a high school graduation present in June. I'll find another.

 

[celestino]

Congratulations and she is a beauty!

 

[Copierguy]

Nice razor and pics. Congrats on your find.

 

[tfinch]

Thanks all. I like the design and look so much I just ordered a '70 as well so I can have the variety with the metal base plate as well =D

 

[hillbilly pick]

Nice grab!!

I think that I finally have my Birth year razor in my sights on flea-bay. I hope that members on here can let just one little A3 1980 SS get "buy".

Please!

 

[tfinch]

Nice grab!!

I think that I finally have my Birth year razor in my sights on flea-bay. I hope that members on here can let just one little A3 1980 SS get "buy".

Please!

Wishing you luck =D Us 1980s kids have it tough!

 

[hillbilly pick]

Wishing you luck =D Us 1980s kids have it tough!

Indeed! I was hoping for a SS but man, that SA looks awesome! There is a guy with a SS NOS in blister pack that I was wheel and dealin with but he wouldn't tell me the date code. $62

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Congrats, Glad you found her

 

[eelhc]

That's a good find... Shave with it for a week, put it away for birthdays and start looking for another one.

I've got 4 Birth Quarter Razors, 3 slims + a super speed and I would like a few more (Lady Gillette, Travel Tech...), I am now looking for my Son's birth quarter -50 razors.