Paradigm 2020 Diamondback

OMG (say it like Chandler from Friends with it long and drawn out) ... that was my experience shimming the 2020 Diamondback.

Now those that know me know I like to try to shim razors even a highly polished or efficient ones because "why not". As previously opined this 0.8 mm polished Diamondback is exceptionally smooth and punches up in regards to efficiency (it's not all in the gap). I figure it is smooth or smoother than a Timeless, 17-4 or RS10 and as efficient as a Wolfman 135 which you may or may not agree with but I suspect I am in the right range. So I used 3 DE shims (cause it can get tricky to use more) which effectively increased the gap by (approximately) 0.3 mm to the Diamondback.

Well the already smooth Diamondback shimmed 1.1 was still as smooth on the first WTG pass and lost only minimal smoothness on my second ATG pass. It was also somewhat louder and more audible on this second pass. There was definitively more (although minimal) blade feel on the second pass. As expected the efficiency of this shimmed Diamondback was enhanced and better than a Wolfman 145 (which can be slightly harsh at higher gaps - try a 0.3 mm increase and you'll see). The shimmed Diamondback was as efficient as any adjustable near its max - think a 3/4 open Tiaga or Sailor or a Gibbs 5 and Futur 5 (from what I recall). Now the only "cheat" I can be faulted on is using the ETHOS soap which makes any shave more comfortable with its hydration but it is now my top tier soap/AS so I'm going to use it and benefit from it.

If you want to shim any razor you might as well do it on a known smooth one like this 2020 polished Diamondback - you won't be disappointed.

I did one shim this morning. Some razors benefit from the additional rigidity but I didn't discern any benefit with the DB.

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The post for the one pass ATG shave by jmudrick had me intrigued. I gave it a shot with the Diamondback and a 2nd use Feather last night. While the first pass ATG may have been a little less smooth than a second pass ATG, it was still more smooth to me than a first pass WTG or XTG.

With the exception of my cowlicks and a need for some touch up here and there, I got a one pass, wife approved BBS. As others have pointed out, this razor likes ATG.

Quite some time ago, I had done the same thing successfully with the RS-10M.

I may go back to repeat some side by sides this way. If a razor can be comfortable on a one pass ATG BBS, maybe that is the way I should evaluate all of them. It might really separate the good ones from the great ones. I am not trying to discuss how many passes is best for the daily shave--just considering a different type of side by side test.

smurfups77  Very nice and thoughtful gesture   It’s also a nice brush. 

Dragonsbeard CK89I think you guys summarized the Diamondback perfectly regarding its efficiency among the best moderns but with a smoothness exceeding its fine company. Those features coupled with its balance and mirror polish make it a winner for me. 

Hey Andy Paradigm Shaveware any plans to release more or have the Diamondback as a regular razor available ? I think there may be more than a few out there interested.

OMG (say it like Chandler from Friends with it long and drawn out) ... that was my experience shimming the 2020 Diamondback.

Now those that know me know I like to try to shim razors even a highly polished or efficient ones because "why not". As previously opined this 0.8 mm polished Diamondback is exceptionally smooth and punches up in regards to efficiency (it's not all in the gap). I figure it is smooth or smoother than a Timeless, 17-4 or RS10 and as efficient as a Wolfman 135 which you may or may not agree with but I suspect I am in the right range. So I used 3 DE shims (cause it can get tricky to use more) which effectively increased the gap by (approximately) 0.3 mm to the Diamondback.

Well the already smooth Diamondback shimmed 1.1 was still as smooth on the first WTG pass and lost only minimal smoothness on my second ATG pass. It was also somewhat louder and more audible on this second pass. There was definitively more (although minimal) blade feel on the second pass. As expected the efficiency of this shimmed Diamondback was enhanced and better than a Wolfman 145 (which can be slightly harsh at higher gaps - try a 0.3 mm increase and you'll see). The shimmed Diamondback was as efficient as any adjustable near its max - think a 3/4 open Tiaga or Sailor or a Gibbs 5 and Futur 5 (from what I recall). Now the only "cheat" I can be faulted on is using the ETHOS soap which makes any shave more comfortable with its hydration but it is now my top tier soap/AS so I'm going to use it and benefit from it.

If you want to shim any razor you might as well do it on a known smooth one like this 2020 polished Diamondback - you won't be disappointed.

I did one shim this morning. Some razors benefit from the additional rigidity but I didn't discern any benefit with the DB.

Sent from my LG-US998 using Tapatalk

Y’all are braver then I!

I'm only two shaves in on this beauty, but I've already decided to sell a couple of my other razors and get a premium brush!

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fhalden So what brushes are worthy and may complement the 2020 Diamondback?

fhalden So what brushes are worthy and may complement the 2020 Diamondback?

I'm looking at several, but the current front-runner is a Shavemac 2 band Silvertip. Although I don't really match brushes to razors, I match them to soaps or whether I'm bowl or face lathering.

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fhalden So what brushes are worthy and may complement the 2020 Diamondback?

I'm looking at several, but the current front-runner is a Shavemac 2 band Silvertip. Although I don't really match brushes to razors, I match them to soaps or whether I'm bowl or face lathering.

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I'm interested in your matching - what do you focus on to match brushes to bowl or face lathering? Thanks!

fhalden So what brushes are worthy and may complement the 2020 Diamondback?

I'm looking at several, but the current front-runner is a Shavemac 2 band Silvertip. Although I don't really match brushes to razors, I match them to soaps or whether I'm bowl or face lathering.

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I'm interested in your matching - what do you focus on to match brushes to bowl or face lathering? Thanks!

I use a boar brush to lather a hard soap, and bowl lather it. I use a badger for croaps and creams - a soft one for face lathering, and a stiff one for bowl lathering. If I face lather every day, I can get irritation, so I don't mush and scrub with my brush. Mostly painting strokes, and mild splaying with back and forth agitation. The boar is my stiffest brush, so I load off the puck, then move to the bowl, and finally paint on my face.

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Mine arrived today while I was prepping to shave. How cool is that? So I changed plans and used the new DB. Well, this is a pretty good razor alrighty! I'm always skeptical of razor reviews that claim a razor is more efficient then a heat pump but smoother than greased teflon, because that's pretty much how all razor reviews go. But this razor really is. It also has just the right amount of audible feedback. This is really nice! I'm keeping it.

Good job, Andy!

Mine arrived today while I was prepping to shave.  How cool is that?  So I changed plans and used the new DB. Well, this is a pretty good razor alrighty!  I'm always skeptical of razor reviews that claim a razor is more efficient then a heat pump but smoother than greased teflon, because that's pretty much how all razor reviews go.  But this razor really is.  It also has just the right amount of audible feedback. This is really nice!  I'm keeping it.

Good job, Andy!

It’s like a KARVE E, Masamune, and Wolfman had a baby.