I scored a birth year razor (1976 Black Handle Super Speed) off the 'Bay for $15, in great condition! Okay, so I was *born* in 1977, but I figured the razor was *made* the same year I was. 
Hey, the only 1977 I found was a Super Adjustable that ended up going for $100!!! 
No way cedarfurnitureman.
It arrived 10 minutes before I planned on showering, so I opened it up and inspected it. Clean as a whistle, not a shred of brassing or soap scum, just some visible wear on the black enamel (you can see the bright metal slightly where some of the enamel has thinned on the high spots) and a few scratches on the head. But since it's as old as I am, and I have some visible wear, I can't be too hard on the razor.
Loaded 'er up with an Astra SP, soaked my Omega 31025 boar brush while I showered. Got out, lathered up some Pre de Provence shave soap and went to it. This is a "quick" weekday shave, so not really going for BBS...but got pretty close anyway. Two passes on the face/chin, one on the neck. The PdP did its job well, no nicks, cuts, or irritation. Followed up with Thayer's Superhazel, then Jason 6-in-1 AS Balm which I diluted with Pinaud Citrus Musk -- directions say to use cold water, but the Citrus Musk and balm worked very well together.
Unlike the Red Tip I also use regularly, the Black Handle actually works well with the Astra SP blades. The Red Tip doesn't like them for some reason.
So anyhow, I'm impressed with the shave the '76 SS Black Handle gives.
Hey, the only 1977 I found was a Super Adjustable that ended up going for $100!!! No way cedarfurnitureman.It arrived 10 minutes before I planned on showering, so I opened it up and inspected it. Clean as a whistle, not a shred of brassing or soap scum, just some visible wear on the black enamel (you can see the bright metal slightly where some of the enamel has thinned on the high spots) and a few scratches on the head. But since it's as old as I am, and I have some visible wear, I can't be too hard on the razor.
Loaded 'er up with an Astra SP, soaked my Omega 31025 boar brush while I showered. Got out, lathered up some Pre de Provence shave soap and went to it. This is a "quick" weekday shave, so not really going for BBS...but got pretty close anyway. Two passes on the face/chin, one on the neck. The PdP did its job well, no nicks, cuts, or irritation. Followed up with Thayer's Superhazel, then Jason 6-in-1 AS Balm which I diluted with Pinaud Citrus Musk -- directions say to use cold water, but the Citrus Musk and balm worked very well together.
Unlike the Red Tip I also use regularly, the Black Handle actually works well with the Astra SP blades. The Red Tip doesn't like them for some reason.
So anyhow, I'm impressed with the shave the '76 SS Black Handle gives.
. I was born first quarter of 1987...
