Recommendations on a "vintage" Gillette from 1983

Dustin L

Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2017
Location
Perth
I have been toying with the idea of picking up a vintage Gillette safety razor from my birth year. From what I can see this would be a date code of D1 or D2.

From what I have found the only safety razors that Gillette was making still at that time were the black super adjustables with a plastic base plate.

I just wanted to see if anyone out there has used one from this time period and if they are even worth getting.

Cheers,

Dustin
 
I've never used one, but being born in '88 a super adjustable with the black plastic base plate would be my birth year razor so I have looked into them a bit. It seems that they are generally regarded as good shavers (very similar to the slim, which I really like). I haven't ever found one from '88, hopefully you'll have better luck finding yours.

EDIT: From looking at this a black handle super speed may also be an option.
 
You would be seeking a "D*" Super Adjustable 'Black beauty".
* denotes a number from 1 to 4 which represent which quarter of the year it's made in.
 
I’m a 1974 U4 and, despite many more razors being available online for the 70s rather than 80s, encounted lots of condition issues for the U4 Super Adjustables I found. In the end, I’m glad with my V1 in great condition rather than getting a U4 in terrible condition and it is close enough :) They are good shavers, by the way, though I prefer the Slim by a smidge as you can feel Gillette losing interest even in the mid 70s.

TBH, I really think it’s only the guys with birthdays in the 50s and 60s whom the whole birth razor deal favours. They have a better choice, the first accurate date codes and the iconic razors. I do have a Slim Twist that’s a U4 but it’s a very mild and cheap razor I don’t really enjoy and never would have picked it up save for the U4 date code. There is a fairly good 1982 C3 on eBay from the UK if close enough is okay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sup...752065?hash=item2f0b949e01:g:p0YAAOSwFPRZvn9I

If anyone, of course, HAS a U4 Super Adjustable in good condition I would love to swap my V1 for it :)
 
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I have a Super Adjustable S3 (Sept 1972) which took a while to track down. It's in great condition and gives a fantastic shave. I shaved with it the other day (Birth Razor for my Birthday) and was surprised by how good it was - I didn't remember it being as smooth.

I did pay over the odds for it and now am not that bothered. Its easy to get caught up in the idea of a birth razor, but take some time to think if its something that'll make you happy. I think I would have been just as happy with any S Super Adjustable. The right quarter was what added significantly to the costs.
 
I just had to go in search of my birth month playboy "bunnies"

Yes, 2 of them!!!!! First ever set of identical twins to feature as centrefolds.....

https://erotixx.files.wordpress.com...eleineandmarycollinson_thumb.jpg?w=510&h=1089

Marian_and_Vivian_Brown.jpg
 
OK, well BOT ...

I started with a birth year and quarter SuperSpeed - and look where it got me. Be warned!
 
Thanks everyone,

As usual lots of great info with some good humour thrown in.

I think I'll probly try and wait a bit to hone my craft some before getting something like this.

Considering my first DE is still on its way, along with 5 different soaps. I think I will have enough to keep me interested for a little while without getting a second razor.

One never knows what one needs until they see it for sale though
 
I’m a 1974 U4 and, despite many more razors being available online for the 70s rather than 80s, encounted lots of condition issues for the U4 Super Adjustables I found. In the end, I’m glad with my V1 in great condition rather than getting a U4 in terrible condition and it is close enough :) They are good shavers, by the way, though I prefer the Slim by a smidge as you can feel Gillette losing interest even in the mid 70s.

TBH, I really think it’s only the guys with birthdays in the 50s and 60s whom the whole birth razor deal favours. They have a better choice, the first accurate date codes and the iconic razors. I do have a Slim Twist that’s a U4 but it’s a very mild and cheap razor I don’t really enjoy and never would have picked it up save for the U4 date code. There is a fairly good 1982 C3 on eBay from the UK if close enough is okay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Sup...752065?hash=item2f0b949e01:g:p0YAAOSwFPRZvn9I

If anyone, of course, HAS a U4 Super Adjustable in good condition I would love to swap my V1 for it :)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/142510620070
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/292272424013
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/112572118486

A few options for your birth razor.
 
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