Razor Archive: Gillette Super Adjustable AKA 109, 84, Black Beauty

[@koosk41]

Welcome back Matt with the history lessons 👍 Always love the "IT BELONGS IN A MUSEUM"... I'm easy pleased😂

[@deshave5260]

Great video, Matt. I own a gold plated 109 that was made in my birth year and quarter (November 1969). I only ever use it on my birthday, so it's a special razor for me. As I get older, I'm amazed at how quickly a year passes. It will only be a few weeks before I can shave with it again, even though it feels like I used it a couple of months ago. I've really enjoyed this series of videos, so thanks for taking the time to post them. Stay safe and well.

[@odysseusjak]

I have a Super-84 (P-2; 1970). It's a really good razor. I bought off eBay for a great price and it was hardly used. Good to "see" you again, Matt! Have a great weekend.

[@terrym1065]

Matt👍👍 Another great history lesson from the Professor of the Shave. I got a Super 109(Black Beauty) from 1980 (A1) for my sons birth year/quarter razor, lots of searching but success. Then to add to my own collection, I picked up a Super 109 (W3) and a Super 84 (W3) from 1976, last of the metal bottom versions😉 Thanks for the video, hate that this series is coming to an end. Enjoy!

[@zoran.dragic]

The Black Beauty is an outstanding razor. Thanks for the Archive series.

[@fredlampher8154]

I have two 109's and really like the shave they give. Still on the hunt for an 84.

[@Pastor.Dragon]

The later 80s seem to be hard to find. Feeling grateful for finding my birth-year '86 109.

[@johnfregeau8981]

Great lesson, Matt. I collected a few of these because I remember seeing a Super 109 in my stepfather's medicine cabinet. back in the mid-80s I think they're wonderful shavers. I can't tell you anything new about the Super Adjustables so instead here's a bit of trivia: Robert Wagner shaved with a Super 109 in the first episode of the Streets of San Francisco.

[@RazorEmporium]

Cool trivia!

[@frankgerace5997]

I bought a Super 109 in 1974, and got rid of it when Trac II razors came out. Years later, missing my Black Beauty, I found one online, and I shave with it now. The only problem is unlike my original Black Beauty, the one I got online didn’t come with the plastic case. My original one had the plastic case with the clear top and white bottom.

[@MattWatsonAus]

I have both the 84 and 109 in my vintage razor collection and enjoy them both. The 109 provides a surprisingly good shave. I set mine on 6 and it’s an impressive performer.

[@corechil]

Another great history vid. Hope you keep doing more of them. Seems like the mid 70's to early 80's was was the time when companies and manufacturers started the idea that making things as cheap as possible was the way to go.

[@PerkicetKilla03]

I’ve been waiting for this video for quite a while! The Razor Archive series is incredible! I have a Super Adjustable 84 and 109 and love them both.

[@drunkn711]

I have a 1971 super 84. Got it on etsy. It doesn't have pock marks on the handle but the black is worn off a little bit. All in all its a great razor. I have a 1967 slim adjustable that needs some TLC. I think i will have it revamped by you guys eventually. One of the safty bars is bent down, needs resurfaced, maybe some new internal parts.

[@toddf9321]

Hi Matt. Thank you for continuing this series. I prefer the Super-84. My example is in superb condition and delivers an excellent shave on setting 5. I liked the Platinum Plus commercial and remember seeing it when I was just 8 years old. The vintage Platinum Plus blades are great; smooth and long-lasting (15 to 19 four-pass shaves per blade). Again, thanks for doing these. Take care.

[@bizzman17]

I have about 30 of these of all of the various iterations you've shown that I have picked up and you are right, to find one that doesn't have those pock marks is rare. I plan on selling some and will need to point that out to buyers. Also, and you told me this Matt when I sent one in for service, it is very hard to fix them when the TTO knob loosens and separates from the rest of the razor because of the aluminum.

[@callumcraig3664]

Paul Bissonnette PM me when selling if you don’t mind shipping to Scotland, I’m after an early 109 gold and an 84 ..

[@gavinearle8402]

Choose me

[@walterfrasch8862]

So great to hear you say “It belongs in a museum!” again Matt!! Love the razor archive series!! Thank You!

[@Foxtrot-jr5qu]

I've recently bought a 109 which was part of a shaving kit and it's in really good condition. I have only shaved with Slim and never had the pleasure to shave with a Fatboy, but I must say the 109 really is a bit more aggresive and for me at least a better shaver than the Slim. Such a shame that it doesn't have the same build quality as the slim. I've always wondered if there's a way to make a franken razor between a Slim and a 84 SA to get best of both worlds - more aggressive/efficient and better built razor. I think the thickness of both handles is the same just like the heads are. If I had your equipment, I probably would have tried to do such an experiment lol.

[@Walburgson]

Thank you so much for such a detailed story about the Black Beauty. I puzzled over what year my version of the razor was. Thanks to your story, I now know that she is in the 1976-1980 range. And yes, I myself have been since 1969, now it became clear to me why this razor fascinated me so much. Great review!

[@rjwrightrw30]

I enjoy hearing the history on these things. Thanks for all you guys at RE do.

[@mikeh9701]

Hi Matt- Great video in the Razor Archive series; thank you! I have a beautifully revamped ‘84 from RE and have enjoyed shaving with it quite a bit. It a great razor! Take good care and be safe and be well. Enjoy the weekend. Best regards, as always!

[@MrPleers]

I found a Super Adjustable (109) from 1970 today on an antique market. Without the box, both otherwise in a good condition. For just 10 euro. (About $ 11-).

[@NickzAndMikz]

I found a O3 109 today. In decent shape but I used your cleaning video to polish it up

[@WolfRanger2008]

I have one(actually 2 Slims)of each model of Gillette's Adjustable Razors. Since I don't have a Gold Tone I suppose my collection is technically incomplete but I consider it complete.

[@suleimanshaik]

Thanks for the review. I got a '69 Super Adjustable just last week for our anniversary from my wife. She went all out to find a '69 ( birth year) for me. I have a '54 Gillette as my oldest razor. I haven't used it as yet - hopefully this coming weekend will get a chance. Thanks again.

[@viningscircle]

Have both the 109 and shorter version, preferring the 109 for the handle length.

[@Shaverboy516]

If I had a time machine I’d go back in time and buy as many of these for a $1.69 as I could:)

[@TheYoggSaron]

2:20 - it's anodized aluminum as you said. For corrosion to happen you need to have a bare metal. On pictures you provided i see no bare metal exposed, but I can notice craters. This leads me to believe that this craters not caused by corrosion, but softness of the metal or plastic/nylon. I'm still not sure from what it's made.

[@10floz30minutes]

Fresh exposed Aluminum will oxidize fast to form an oxide on the surface.

[@MillerSean]

I recently purchased a copy of the Collector's Guide to American Razor Blades by Phillip Krumholz, and it's interesting to see all of the variety. It really was/is a lot of marketing!

[@bg-id1uo]

Matt thnx for another great review! I just used this particular model this week and as a traditional DE wet shaver loved it ! The light weight and nimble head gave me a closer, easier shave than its older brothers i also own. the vintage Gillette Fat Boy and Slim Adjustable!! A retro remake of it by Gillette I would love to see!!

[@mh622]

Got my buddy a W1 from 1976 that has the metal bottom. Must have been one of the last ones before the plastic black bottoms came out.

[@bradleycred99]

Great DE Razor 101 history lesson Matt! I always enjoy your classes professor. 😉 Have a great weekend. 🤠

[@elgumpo1981]

I have a Black Beauty (Y1) and I absolutely Love it. I also have a Fat Boy (F1) and a Slim (J4) and those are easily my favorite razors. Also, my birth year (1981, B series) Black Beauty is hard to find. I have found a lot of Y’s, A’s, and C’s, but no B series.

[@DanielFrazelle]

That Gillette ad is ridiculous, but I gotta say, those Platinum Plus blades were (and are) amazing.

[@samlincicome4904]

I have both the 84 and the 109 and I have yet to use them. (Update) About two or three weeks after posting my original comment I came across a Gold 109. The only thing I can say is like the Fatboy and the Slim, Where have these been all my life. I enjoy all my razors in one way or another however these four and my 1977 Atra are my go to in a pinch razors. There all set at a 7 or 8 which will give me a quick one pass shave. The Atra fast and out the door.

[@JohnHartConductor]

Thanks for the great content, Matt! I quite missed the Razor Archive series. :)

[@robbruno6713]

another great razor history lesson.... I need to get a 1971 razor..

[@1MinuteFlipDoc]

birth year razor? (i just got my '71 109 in the mail today. ha!)

[@JBigsOU]

Nice video, as usual! I need to pick up an '80 to celebrate my 40th (still look like my 30th though)!

[@warrenburch6545]

The adjustables are nice, but I prefer the Gillette Good Will that I purchased from your shop, best open comb razor I've used.

[@tompvic]

Have a slim adjustable (love it), thanks to your videos. Want the ‘69 black beauty. Hopefully it shaves as well.

[@ivaniliev2272]

I was wondering what is the history of my shaver. It was my grandfather's shaver. Interesting info. Mine is from 1970.

[@freethinker5225]

I have a rockwell 6c. I like that it cuts like butter and holds alot of hair the cons are weight and a little too short I've been looking at the slim prospector and the super but I wanna know which is better and will last longer also what blades would be best to use with it I want to purchase from the site but I'd really like to get a good next level type kit with my nice new razor

[@chrischiampo7647]

That’s my Razor The Long Handle Black Beauty 😲😮😲😀😊😊😊 I’ve Had It Since New in 1979 😊

[@myblueskynight]

I love the Razor Archive Series!👍👍👍

[@sergeylazarev4569]

One of my favorite. Have a 1974 copy, year younger than me. Gives excellent shaves, even better than Fatboy. The only downside is that black color on the handle has deteriorated a bit with years.

[@jerrydonathan9979]

Good job Matt, keep 'em comin !!!!

[@firecured1701]

There is something nostalgic about the black beauty

[@andrewormerod184]

I have a 1977 x4 black beauty, my birth year and quarter. But like all my vintage Gillette's they are over shadowed by the smoothness and performance of my Rockwell 6s. I'll have to take mine off display and give it run out and blow off some cobwebs

[@chewbacca7856]

I got some shave soap after your last video. I prefer it to the nonlather surfactant type. The donkey milk stuff was twice as much but I will try it when I run out of this brand.

[@johnwachter6975]

Good information on the Black Beauty.

[@jtoo6060]

Matt, thanks for another excellent video. There was another Gillette adjustable razor produced and sold at the same time as these and it was called the Gillette Techmatic. And it was a fully adjustable band razor.

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes and we likely will do a video on it soon. Thx !

[@bigrig55555]

@RazorEmporium Blade gaps on a 1972 Super Adjustable 109 please!!!!!

[@49studebaker1]

@@RazorEmporiumCould you create a video comparing the super adjustable to the slim adjustable?

[@jamesgrado4712]

Great series. Thanks!

[@interpolagent9]

I have two, so far. The gold 109 and an 84....but the day is young!😁

[@callumcraig3664]

I’m currently on the hunt to find gold 109 as it’s such a beautiful razor along with an 84 .. did the 84 come in gold as I’ve never seen one advertised on the bay ? Not so many in Scotland 🥺😔🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@RazorEmporium]

No 84 didn't come in gold

[@Samuel-ge7im]

Great video

[@saillively]

I recently bought one of these to use as my first razor, should I drill out the bottom hole so it doesn't have any drainage issues like you were mentioning?

[@RazorEmporium]

No

[@rottenmango6830]

I see these on eBay. What’s the difference between a v1 v2 v3 and v4?

[@josegrillet-bk9vu]

HI, what is the Weight OF THE RAZOR 109

[@1MinuteFlipDoc]

Just got my 1971 Super 109 in the mail today from ebay (birth year razor). then this video comes on my recommended list. HA!

[@BlueJay7850]

Matt, I'm looking a 1950’s Gillette Gold Ball End Tech for 19.99 on EBAY. The gold plating is in need of restoration. I was wondering how aggressive this razor is as I have very sensitive skin.

[@RazorEmporium]

Medium to mild

[@rasheed6439]

Black beauty rotator not working, how to dissemble it for cleaning ?

[@RazorEmporium]

$200 of tools needed. Or send to us www.razortuneup.com

[@oxfordnoi5609]

Hi. Could u please tell me about the distribution of weight when it comes to black beauty 84 and Gillette slim. I mean they are essentially the same weight, 70g, but I also read black beauty 84 handle feels lighter. There is still 1g diff between the two, but i dont think that would account for it feeling lighter. Is that so, and what is ur preference among the two?

[@alexandergadomski1088]

Does it have the last half turn to lock the blade?

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes

[@DervishD]

I don't think you will get this comment, but anyway I don't lose anything trying. I just inherited what I think it's a 109, marked as T2, in need of HEAVY cleaning. How can I remove the disc with a hole at the bottom of the handle? I think it's the first step into disassembling the razor and really I don't think it can be cleaned any way other than disassembling... Thanks a lot in advance!

[@RazorEmporium]

These are the 2nd hardest adjustable to take down and #1 easiest to break due to aluminum parts. Don't attempt a take down!!!!!! Clean with a toothbrush, hot water and dish detergent!!! That will get it 80-90% clean.

[@DervishD]

@@RazorEmporium Your word is law for me, I won't attempt a take down, I'll just keep submerging it in hot water and dish soap and brushing it clean, even if that takes longer. Still, there's a lot of old soap just below the dial, so I hope everything gets out! Thanks A LOT for the advice, and for replying. I just subscribed to your channel, it's amazing! A pity you are not near me (I'm from Spain), otherwise I'll hire you to disassemble and clean the razor. Anyway, if it doesn't end up as clean as I want for shaving with it, at least I have a beautifully made razor 😊

[@nathanieldaiken1064]

What about soaking 15 minute in lime alka seltzer water?

[@DervishD]

@@nathanieldaiken1064 I finally gave the razor to a good friend who loves that particular model, and he decided to pay for a full revamp, don't ask me where because I don't know, someplace in Germany, I think. He presented me with a Super Speed, in perfect shape, which is what I'm using now! Anyway, thanks a lot for the advice, will take that into account for future razors!

[@OG_Jack]

Hi Matt, very interesting and informative. I have a question though, my 109 doesn't have a 109mm handle, it is 109mm from the top of the doors to the bottom of the handle. Is mine, which is code O, not a real 109? On the other hand, I have 2 84s (O & S) which have the 84mm handles. Can you straighten me out? Thank you!

[@RazorEmporium]

Maybe I wasn't clear - yes the 109 is 109mm overall length. I too have noticed that the 84 is different because they measure the handle length only.

[@robmiller54]

Rex TTO please !

[@bTome9123]

Hi Matt, Is this a razor that could be an every shave razor or as a "nice to have" option?

[@RazorEmporium]

I dont think it's an essential razor for everyone's bathroom no.

[@johnjanzen5856]

Wow, that was informative.

[@TheYoggSaron]

Wait a minute. I always thought that this black handle is made from aluminum plus black nylon or plastic "cover" on top. Matt, are sure that handle is made from solid aluminum and then anodized with black paint?

[@RazorEmporium]

They are solid aluminum and anodized black. Anodizing is different than painting.

[@nicetna2010]

Hi Matt. Will Razor Emporium be servicing and/or powder coating the newly released GSC Fatguy?

[@RazorEmporium]

I don't want to get involved stripping off chrome finishes. If they offered it in nickel then perhaps.

[@nicetna2010]

@@RazorEmporium Servicing?

[@bassmastrj652]

Love the history

[@johnjames218]

My 109is in perfect condition

[@DonaldNavygoat23]

Do you have the cccp copy of the black beauty?

[@bandierarossa1072]

Спасибо, было очень интересно.

[@spanishfly7709]

Ok so now I know my dad's 109 was from some where between 69-75 but his case was different then the one you showed. Your case has the razorblades in it going vertical with the razor, his was horizontal. I remember a a kid about 5 or 6 my dad had two and when he shave he would put shaving cream on my face take the blade out and I shaved right along with him lol

[@brilliantshrinkinggoat3564]

Hey, I'm trying to disassemble mine after the adjustment dials stopped working. Can you make a video showing how to disassemble it?

[@RazorEmporium]

We could make a video, but you'd need to have specialized tools to do it safely.

[@brilliantshrinkinggoat3564]

@@RazorEmporium Please do. I'll get the tools necessary as I'm determined to get this razor to work.

[@nathanieldaiken1064]

Why not let Razor Emporium fix it?! The tools are rather expen$$ive!

[@vuitheirt4704]

The black beauty is my favorite razor personally, no discredit to the fatboy or slim

[@fredhug85]

What about super 88?

[@RazorEmporium]

Didn't know that was a thing outside of film world

[@germanshepherd13]

it's the only adjustable I don't have and I think I have enough razors at over 60 of them.

[@germanshepherd13]

Lol. Well I ended up getting one today for 20 bucks.

[@1MinuteFlipDoc]

@@germanshepherd13 thrift store? antique store?

[@nathanieldaiken1064]

Damn! Sixty razors! I thought ten (me) was too many!🤣😁r

[@MartinOcando]

Own them all. Shave with them all. Love them all. Super 84 shaves best, can't say why.

[@seannottingham]

I have a 1969 model. Shaving performance for me is top tier for a DE. Not the most beautiful but never a nick and smooth as silk from this one.

[@magnoliamike]

Shaved with my Super 84 today . B. B. S.