Paradigm Shaveware The Diamondback

FWIW that was my sale post. My opinion of the shave was just ok really. Incredibly smooth but efficiency was not at all what I was expecting from descriptions. Felt very similar to the H&S 75 but with a tiny amount of perceptible blade feel and increased efficiency in an overall smaller head than the 75. The head is still perceptibly larger than my preferred shavers. Both taller and wider than the carbon cx and nodachi, taller than the ss lupo and wider than Wr2 but not taller if I recall correctly I didn't bother with pictures I knew after 3 shaves it was not staying. That's not because it was a bad razor in fact it's great just regarding efficiency, IMO it is simply not even close to the nodachi and actually very similar to the carbon which made it redundant in my den. Carbon won out for me due to more blade feel, much more maneuverable head and a lighter handle that I will actually use vs the heavier diamondback without knurlng, which is all personal preference. I swapped stock Diamondback handle for a Hempel ti microfine (85x14) immediately and it was a great pairing with favorable balance for me albeit a touch head heavy.

I was expecting a very efficient razor in the league of the nodachi, blackbird, or WR2 1.35 and it was not that for me. Much more in line with moderate daily drivers like WR1 standard gap, BBS-1, TI2, or lupo from my experience. I've been wanting the Ti1 experience for a long time so the marketing got me. I wish Andy would just replicate that geometry again or do another run but as my grandpa always said you can wish in one hand and.... you know lol. The nodachi was exactly what I imagine the Ti1 to be like and was an awesome surprise this summer. Really, really impressive razor from Tatara (I bought head only and use it on same hempel) maybe someone with both could chime in with that comparison.
Obviously YMMV and all.
TLDR: I prefer lighter (<100g) smaller form factor razors and the efficiency was not what I was expecting or wanting out of it. Delivers very smooth shaves though.

I've been wanting the Ti1 experience for a long time so the marketing got me.

I remember reading the Insta post from WCS where they supposedly quoted Andy
as saying ""It's similar to Ti 1 in efficiency, more user friendly. Am I allowed to say
that it's our best DE to date?"

But then none of the early reviews seemed to corroborate this. That took it off the table for
me.

Second shave last night. Just as good as the first, though I didn't notice the rubbery feel as with the first shave. That was a strange sensation. Maybe it was a combination of the world class Panna Crema lather and two days' growth that made for an extra cushiony feel. Anyway, last night it just felt like a smooth, efficient shave. I got a few weepers again despite not feeling anything harmful happening. I wouldn't call this razor aggressive, because you'd have to do something dumb for it to cut you. The R41 is my standard for aggressiveness, because you only have to think about doing something dumb for it to cut you. So I'm not sure what the deal is with the weepers. I don't typically get those with my favorite razors unless I'm going too fast or pressing too hard. The subtle blade feel of this razor along with quieter than average cutting sound and heavier than average weight might be contributing to me using more pressure than I should. But I still got an excellent shave without excessive carefulness and with no nicks or cuts. My skin was calm and cool afterward, and there was no irritation or redness at all. I think with a few more uses to get familiar with the razor, it'll provide consistent, predictably close and comfortable shaves.

I can recommend giving this razor a try if you like a Game Changer .84 or Charcoal Goods level 2 or Lupo or anything in the ballpark of those razors. I think this razor fits in that middle ground where many of the modern razors live. It's highly efficient while being neither on the extremely mild nor extremely aggressive end of the spectrum. Blade support is more rigid than the Charcoal but less than the GC or Lupo. With only two shaves in, I'd say efficiency is greater than the Charcoal L2, and similar to the GC open comb and Lupo. It's not as efficient as an R41, but it's efficient enough for me with its considerably more carefree shave. That evaluation might change after more shaves, of course. But for now, my opinion is that the Diamondback is a well-mannered but highly effective tool, and is among my best shavers.

Is this razor redundant for me given its performance similarity to other razors I mentioned and own? Probably. My shaving life would be perfectly fine if the Lupo was the only razor I owned. Or a NEW SC. Or a Game Changer. Or many others that give satisfying shaves and are pleasant to use. But that's beside the point! We like our tools! I'd still like to know how the original "unmodified" Diamondback shaves. For all I know, my buffed down version might shave better than the original. But I'll always wonder. And I'll probably never know, because I'll probably never buy another. But if you have the itch and have the coin and wonder if this might be the one that spins your propeller, I recommend giving it a ride if or when they ever become available again.

As a postscript to this Diamondback debacle, I would NEVER participate in that third-party pre-paid order thing again with the promise of delivery at some point in the future. I would only order this razor directly from the maker, and only pay when the product is ready to ship. I would also require a money-back return policy if the razor fails to meet expectations in any way. I don't require that from any other makers, even though some offer it. But fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!

I got a few weepers again despite not feeling anything harmful happening.  I wouldn't call this razor aggressive, because you'd have to do something dumb for it to cut you.  The R41 is my standard for aggressiveness, because you only have to think about doing something dumb for it to cut you.  So I'm not sure what the deal is with the weepers.  I don't typically get those with my favorite razors unless I'm going too fast or pressing too hard.  

Do you think it’s possible that the mystery weepers could be the result of the extra buffing and polishing creating some uneven surfaces on the razor head, resulting in some minute changes in the blade geometry?

Received my razor the other day, kinda of a blur, been sick so not real alert, finished looked OK, magnifying glassed it, no OMG marks. First thing I noticed, I do have a 17-4, is that the handle is longer and beefier than the 17-4, A+ from me on that!!! Base plate looked good, I'm no engineer, Locked a Gillette Black in nice and tight, top cap does covers the tabs of the blade A+ for that,...fits together smoothly.
So the first shave was with 4 days growth, DB, with Gillette Black, first shave, DG TRISMEGISTUS milksteak, Rooney base/Romera 28mm fan, Spieck..
1 Pass, minor touch-ups, I was done...Real close to BBS...effortless almost, maybe because of the familiarity with the 17-4, but it was a real intuitive shave!! A+ on that...
KEEPER!!!

FWIW that was my sale post. My opinion of the shave was just ok really. Incredibly smooth but efficiency was not at all what I was expecting from descriptions. Felt very similar to the H&S 75 but with a tiny amount of perceptible blade feel and increased efficiency in an overall smaller head than the 75. The head is still perceptibly larger than my preferred shavers. Both taller and wider than the carbon cx and nodachi, taller than the ss lupo and wider than Wr2 but not taller if I recall correctly I didn't bother with pictures I knew after 3 shaves it was not staying. That's not because it was a bad razor in fact it's great just regarding efficiency, IMO it is simply not even close to the nodachi and actually very similar to the carbon which made it redundant in my den. Carbon won out for me due to more blade feel, much more maneuverable head and a lighter handle that I will actually use vs the heavier diamondback without knurlng, which is all personal preference. I swapped stock Diamondback handle for a Hempel ti microfine (85x14) immediately and it was a great pairing with favorable balance for me albeit a touch head heavy.

I was expecting a very efficient razor in the league of the nodachi, blackbird, or WR2 1.35 and it was not that for me. Much more in line with moderate daily drivers like WR1 standard gap, BBS-1, TI2, or lupo from my experience.  I've been wanting the Ti1 experience for a long time so the marketing got me. I wish Andy would just replicate that geometry again or do another run but as my grandpa always said you can wish in one hand and.... you know lol.  The nodachi was exactly what I imagine the Ti1 to be like and was an awesome surprise this summer. Really, really impressive razor from Tatara (I bought head only and use it on same hempel) maybe someone with both could chime in with that comparison.
Obviously YMMV and all.
TLDR: I prefer lighter (<100g) smaller form factor razors and the efficiency was not what I was expecting or wanting out of it. Delivers very smooth shaves though.

Tried all three: Paradigm TiI, Diamondback, and Nodachi (pass around). Efficiency wise the Nodachi was indistinguishable (for me) from the Paradigm TiI. The Diamondback is noticeably lower in efficiency, though the shave was very close, smooth and pleasant. I sold the Diamondback after a couple of shaves, am keeping the TiI and and purchased my own Nodachi.

Well it's arrived....

Delivered!
And it delivered a fine first shave!

Thanks to a great friend I was able to do a side by side shave of the Javelin vs. Diamondback
Pre-Shave Hot Shower
Soap LASS Vanilla
Blade New PolSilver 
Brush AP Gelousy 
AS Burts Bees Balm
Appearance Both razors had a good quality feel and the fit was perfect as one would expect from Paradigm. Finish was good but not to the level I am used to seeing from razors at this price. 
I did a side by side WTG, XTG and ATG. Both razors were smooth WTG and XTG like the 17-4 but ATG the Diamondback lost a little of its smoothness, not harsh, but not as smooth as the Javelin or the 17-4. 
The Javelin gave me a very comfortable 3 pass BBS while the Diamondback required a little touchup on the jawline. It was a nice shave from both but I prefer My Ti Paradigm razors. If I didn’t own a Paradigm I would be very happy with the Diamondback but I think the Javelin prototype gave me a better shave. Unfortunately I need to send the Javelin back, I did enjoy trying it. 

Same here, I really prefer the javelin, might be due to the fact that I have shaved a lot with it the last months.