Paradigm releasing a new razor

Received my copy of the Ti Diamondback about an hour ago and have now completed an initial shave with it. I had no baseline for this razor other than member descriptions of the shaving experience. I would like to hold off on any meaningful review until a few more shaves, but definitely have some thoughts on this razor. In the interim, I would simply say this razor exceeded my expectations in terms of effectiveness and smoothness. I think the only remaining question is BBS duration. I will be monitoring over the coming shaves as I dial in everything. Also, I went with a Bic chrome platinum blade for the inaugural shave. I will be trying a Wizamet and Gillette 7 o'clock black as well. But I have a feeling that I will want to stay in the efficiency range of the Bic.

I’ll preface this post by saying that I was not going to be in the hunt for the Ti D-back or any other razor for the foreseeable future. I told myself that I was going to do one and one only for ‘24. That razor was the Ti Osprey by Blackland. I will not say that I wasn’t intrigued by this release but, more just optimistically skeptical and was just going to keep an eye on it. I had spoken with a couple of shave brethren in the past and the topic of conversation would always eventually turn into the best razors in the past 10 years produced by razor artisans. Raw Shaving with their RS-10 series was always in it as was Paradigm, Wolfman & Timeless with their Ti series. I’ve always regretted immensely  never getting in on the Raw Shaving wagon and with what they are going for now, probably never will unless I hit the Lottery. I’ve never been pulled into any particular Wolfman though they are truly works of art and are jewel like in finish. I’ve sampled a couple but, they’ve never given me the “it factor or inspired the “must have” gene in me. I have two Guerilla’s and love them but, that’s where it ended. My Timeless Ti is for me, my gatekeeper when it comes to pure performance shaving with a luxury like feel and look. Shave as good as the .95 Ti and you’re in my stable, period. Now Paradigm is in the mix. I’ve only owned one other razor from this artisan and that was the SE Ti, which by the way I will say is perhaps the smoothest & most docile feeling razor that I have ever owned and shaven with. It was practically impossible to commit a mistake or give oneself an uncomfortable shave with it. Problem was that for my particular shave needs/requirements and shaving style, the Pro Super by Feather was the only blade that worked for me in that particular razor. I couldn’t get any other blade to work well enough to give me the results that I chased. I moved it on a few months later and have no regrets on that decision as I like to have variety in blade choice and not be confined to one specific blade. I heard and read great things about every other razor produced by Paradigm on how they performed and the overall satisfaction was mostly great to superb from those fellow wet shavers. Lastly, the Diamondback was considered by many to be Paradigm’s best ever release in Stainless. So, I said no but, in the end with all the info here with the excellent trial results from the prototype by those who sampled it, I got in on it at the last minute. I wasn’t going to allow myself to regret another potential once in a generation razor pass me by. Yes, I paid the full retail amount of $350 and I’ll be quite honest with all here. On looks, fitment, alloy, precision and presentation, this razor is underpriced by today’s exotic alloy performance/luxury meter. H&S has their Ti series starting at almost $400 as is machined finish with a high polish option pushing it well past the $500 for certain models. Carbon also has a higher starting point for Ti razors and can creep up there into the high $600’s easily especially with their rare releases like the 904L & others. Don’t even mention Wolfman as they can really push it close to the four digit realm. Unless the Ti D-back turns out to be a slug for me which I strongly doubt, this razor is a deal and then some. Those that got it at the pre-release special got themselves a heck of a bargain.

In the end though, the proof is in the pudding. Looks don’t mean squat if it can’t perform. But, I have a good feeling this will be in my wheelhouse when all is said and done. Truthfully, pics don’t do this razor any justice. You just have to see & feel it for yourself to get the true benefit. Balance and feel are nearly perfect. 

Shave to come….

I’ll preface this post by saying that I was not going to be in the hunt for the Ti D-back or any other razor for the foreseeable future. I told myself that I was going to do one and one only for ‘24. That razor was the Ti Osprey by Blackland. I will not say that I wasn’t intrigued by this release but, more just optimistically skeptical and was just going to keep an eye on it. I had spoken with a couple of shave brethren in the past and the topic of conversation would always eventually turn into the best razors in the past 10 years produced by razor artisans. Raw Shaving with their RS-10 series was always in it as was Paradigm, Wolfman & Timeless with their Ti series. I’ve always regretted immensely  never getting in on the Raw Shaving wagon and with what they are going for now, probably never will unless I hit the Lottery. I’ve never been pulled into any particular Wolfman though they are truly works of art and are jewel like in finish. I’ve sampled a couple but, they’ve never given me the “it factor or inspired the “must have” gene in me. I have two Guerilla’s and love them but, that’s where it ended. My Timeless Ti is for me, my gatekeeper when it comes to pure performance shaving with a luxury like feel and look. Shave as good as the .95 Ti and you’re in my stable, period. Now Paradigm is in the mix. I’ve only owned one other razor from this artisan and that was the SE Ti, which by the way I will say is perhaps the smoothest & most docile feeling razor that I have ever owned and shaven with. It was practically impossible to commit a mistake or give oneself an uncomfortable shave with it. Problem was that for my particular shave needs/requirements and shaving style, the Pro Super by Feather was the only blade that worked for me in that particular razor. I couldn’t get any other blade to work well enough to give me the results that I chased. I moved it on a few months later and have no regrets on that decision as I like to have variety in blade choice and not be confined to one specific blade. I heard and read great things about every other razor produced by Paradigm on how they performed and the overall satisfaction was mostly great to superb from those fellow wet shavers. Lastly, the Diamondback was considered by many to be Paradigm’s best ever release in Stainless. So, I said no but, in the end with all the info here with the excellent trial results from the prototype by those who sampled it, I got in on it at the last minute. I wasn’t going to allow myself to regret another potential once in a generation razor pass me by. Yes, I paid the full retail amount of $350 and I’ll be quite honest with all here. On looks, fitment, alloy, precision and presentation, this razor is underpriced by today’s exotic alloy performance/luxury meter. H&S has their Ti series starting at almost $400 as is machined finish with a high polish option pushing it well past the $500 for certain models. Carbon also has a higher starting point for Ti razors and can creep up there into the high $600’s easily especially with their rare releases like the 904L & others. Don’t even mention Wolfman as they can really push it close to the four digit realm. Unless the Ti D-back turns out to be a slug for me which I strongly doubt, this razor is a deal and then some. Those that got it at the pre-release special got themselves a heck of a bargain.

In the end though, the proof is in the pudding. Looks don’t mean squat if it can’t perform. But, I have a good feeling this will be in my wheelhouse when all is said and done. Truthfully, pics don’t do this razor any justice. You just have to see & feel it for yourself to get the true benefit. Balance and feel are nearly perfect. 

Shave to come….

https://youtu.be/lpQvoHDEkrs?si=TCDIV59bIDxquysx

I’ll preface this post by saying that I was not going to be in the hunt for the Ti D-back or any other razor for the foreseeable future. I told myself that I was going to do one and one only for ‘24. That razor was the Ti Osprey by Blackland. I will not say that I wasn’t intrigued by this release but, more just optimistically skeptical and was just going to keep an eye on it. I had spoken with a couple of shave brethren in the past and the topic of conversation would always eventually turn into the best razors in the past 10 years produced by razor artisans. Raw Shaving with their RS-10 series was always in it as was Paradigm, Wolfman & Timeless with their Ti series. I’ve always regretted immensely  never getting in on the Raw Shaving wagon and with what they are going for now, probably never will unless I hit the Lottery. I’ve never been pulled into any particular Wolfman though they are truly works of art and are jewel like in finish. I’ve sampled a couple but, they’ve never given me the “it factor or inspired the “must have” gene in me. I have two Guerilla’s and love them but, that’s where it ended. My Timeless Ti is for me, my gatekeeper when it comes to pure performance shaving with a luxury like feel and look. Shave as good as the .95 Ti and you’re in my stable, period. Now Paradigm is in the mix. I’ve only owned one other razor from this artisan and that was the SE Ti, which by the way I will say is perhaps the smoothest & most docile feeling razor that I have ever owned and shaven with. It was practically impossible to commit a mistake or give oneself an uncomfortable shave with it. Problem was that for my particular shave needs/requirements and shaving style, the Pro Super by Feather was the only blade that worked for me in that particular razor. I couldn’t get any other blade to work well enough to give me the results that I chased. I moved it on a few months later and have no regrets on that decision as I like to have variety in blade choice and not be confined to one specific blade. I heard and read great things about every other razor produced by Paradigm on how they performed and the overall satisfaction was mostly great to superb from those fellow wet shavers. Lastly, the Diamondback was considered by many to be Paradigm’s best ever release in Stainless. So, I said no but, in the end with all the info here with the excellent trial results from the prototype by those who sampled it, I got in on it at the last minute. I wasn’t going to allow myself to regret another potential once in a generation razor pass me by. Yes, I paid the full retail amount of $350 and I’ll be quite honest with all here. On looks, fitment, alloy, precision and presentation, this razor is underpriced by today’s exotic alloy performance/luxury meter. H&S has their Ti series starting at almost $400 as is machined finish with a high polish option pushing it well past the $500 for certain models. Carbon also has a higher starting point for Ti razors and can creep up there into the high $600’s easily especially with their rare releases like the 904L & others. Don’t even mention Wolfman as they can really push it close to the four digit realm. Unless the Ti D-back turns out to be a slug for me which I strongly doubt, this razor is a deal and then some. Those that got it at the pre-release special got themselves a heck of a bargain.

In the end though, the proof is in the pudding. Looks don’t mean squat if it can’t perform. But, I have a good feeling this will be in my wheelhouse when all is said and done. Truthfully, pics don’t do this razor any justice. You just have to see & feel it for yourself to get the true benefit. Balance and feel are nearly perfect. 

Shave to come….

https://youtu.be/lpQvoHDEkrs?si=TCDIV59bIDxquysx

I knew you would do it….

Just out of curiosity as it's still pretty early in concerns of usage with this new release. What's the experience so far with the Ti D-back and blade usage? Does the D-back Ti adapt well to a variety of blades? Does it work better with sharper blades or does that not matter?

Thanks in advance Gents. 

I actually prefer razors that provide a noticeable blade feel. However, this razor offers a very minimal blade feel while still being efficient. I find that Kai blades work best with Paradigm razors, as this wider blade gives more exposure.

One thing you will notice is the angle of shave.  It is definitely slightly steep compared to the Salient, 17-4 and Ti2.  Riding the cap I feel is a mistake with the diamondback and this isn’t a razor that is so mild you want to adjust it to your shaving style.  It tells you exactly where to shave with it by the blade feel and audible feedback.

Once you dial it in with your preferred blades it should deliver very good results.  

I keep forgetting how much easier it is to whip Ti around than SS.  It is nimble but not like Aluminum.  It’s about perfect in weight (as is the Ti2).

Lucky cats. Still waiting for my presale label

Lucky cats. Still waiting for my presale label

Me too. You are not alone.

I was able to get an Invoice (#1447) from the recent Pre-Sale (March24). Got the Shipping Label Sat. March 30, and soon after a Shipping Notification with a Thurs. April 04, Expected Arrival date.

ALSO, I recently was able to obtain the DB SS version. Apparently, it is somewhat more aggressive and effective than than the DB Ti. I have has about 3 shaves, first with Wizamet, then last with a Feather.

As mentioned recently by another member, my only 'concern' is DURATION of BBS, as noticable growth is fairly soon, BUT I have a coarse and quick growing beard.

My invoice is 1405. Still no response