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Weekly Razor Review
- Thread starter Errol
- Start date
Bladerunner7
Member
Lovely detailed review Errol. I've always admired Andrew's willingness to experiment, explore and change things up every now and then.Paradigm Copper Diamondback (USA)
I’ve always been at the right place at the right time when it comes to finding the release of Paradigm razors. I seem to stumble onto them by accident and that is exactly how I discovered the Copper Diamondback. Someone had a Ti Diamondback for sale on Ebay at what I thought was an exorbitant price; I’ll check, no Ti listed but there is a Copper version, thank you, I’ll have one of them. I don’t have any copper razors but had been thinking of adding a copper razor to the collection for some time and a Paradigm will fit the bill nicely. Paradigm made it known in their advertisement that the copper Diamondback is a limited edition and that no sealant was used to protect the finish, therefore the razor would patina over time. As I was unpacking the Copper Diamondback I treated each part with Renaissance Wax, hopefully I will now have a sparkling Copper Diamondback for years to come, that rich beauty deserves to be maintained.
These are no visual changes to the copper Diamondback from previous releases of that model. Its distinctive look comes from the hexagonal handle with engraved diamonds strung out along each flat. Thread engagement is as good as you are ever going to get with any razor, a real credit to whoever machined it. There is nothing special about the cap with its radiused top and elongated blade posts on the underside that mate into blind holes in the top of the plate. Two wide blade clamping surfaces that mate with corresponding flats on the plate ensure that when tightened down, that blade is held firm. This lightweight head means only one thing, the handle contributes the majority of the weight of the razor, the copper Diamondback’s weight is well over magical 100g. Paradigm have done a creditable job with the polished finish; it is obviously machined, and the underside of the cap retains its machine marks.
Efficiency was on the high side of Karve CB Level #C and there was just the right amount of positive blade to meet my requirement for the near perfect shave. This efficiency level is higher than I recorded with the stainless steel version, you won’t hear me complain. As with other razors sharing these credentials, the shave was comfortable and certainly smooth. Being handle heavy was a minor impediment, a hole up the end of the handle would have worked wonders for weight reduction and balance of the razor. For such a visually spectacular razor that operates as perfectly as it does, the Paradigm Diamondback has at least one dedicated devotee. It was a little sad when I gave the Copper Diamondback another coat of Renaissance Wax to pack it away.
Blades Used – Gillette Minora and Gillette Super Stainless
Material – Copper
Weight – 124.7g
Blade Tab – Covered
Head Width – 43.01mm
Handle Length – 91.91mm
Handle Across Flats – 11.42mm
Availability – Out of production
Final Word – Highly rated
I remember shaving with the SS version released through West Coast Shaving ( 2019) and it was just okay, a year later and the new version was like a massive upgrade. Throw in the different Ti versions, the copper DB and the Salient , what a joy. Each of the Paradigm razors has a character and identity of its own.
Bladerunner7
Member
They pop up on BST very often, across many forums mate.When Paradigm release a stainless steel version again, I'm getting one into my bloody den, unless I can buy one off you @Errol
Errol
Razor Review Guru
(Wolfman) Guerrilla Ti 0.69mm OC (Canada)
There have been many less than flattering comments about the handle of the original Guerrilla over the last eight years of manufacture regarding its lack of grip and the aesthetics of having a straight shaft with no machining other than three narrow grooves at each end. Personally, I thought the handle suited the intended purpose, I have never had a grip issue and quite liked its presentation but that did not stop me from ordering this razor with the alternate Rebel handle. With a titanium Guerrilla on offer, its selection was never in doubt, in fact this razor would never have materialized had it not been titanium. Having previously been blown away by the performance of the 0.69mm plate, selection for the blade gap was simple; might as well try an open comb though. Also offered was a second plate so I grabbed a 0.84mm SB plate and that will be the review for next week. All the usual Guerrilla features are present including no excess material in the cap or the plate, blade clamping at the very edge, round blade posts on the cap that mate into blind holes in the plate, Guerrilla’s ever commendable thread engagement and the standard satin finish. Another feature I’d like to commend Guerrilla on is that each plate now has the blade gap engraved at the rear.
First shave completed and I’m caught off guard, so I scuttle out for my glasses to check that the plate really does have 0.69 engraved on it and my records of the SB 0.69; the Ti’s aggression was far more than I was expecting. Efficiency for the 0.69 plated OC Guerrilla was in excess of Karve CB Level #D and it had blade feel by the truck load; back to the old days of the OC version of a razor being more aggressive that the SB plated version. My approach to subsequent shaves was a lot more cautious. A close shave was never in doubt and some weepers on can testify to that; nothing major, just those small patches that close almost immediately. The teeth on the comb can be felt but they are rounded and smooth, so they just glide over the face and become a non-event after the first couple of shaves. Lately I’ve become critical of razor balance, especially on titanium razors, so it is pleasing to report that the Guerrilla’s balance is very good. It displays all the qualities of a top shelf razor, I have been a fan of the Guerrilla since its first inception and now with the blade posts relocated to the cap, a choice of efficiency levels and four different metals to choose from, I can’t speak highly enough of the Guerrilla. I appreciated my time with the 0.69mm OC plated Guerrilla but it demands respect.
Blades Used – Wizamet Polsilver and Royal II
Material – Gr5 Titanium
Weight – 55.9g
Blade Tab - Exposed
Head Width – 41.69mm
Handle Length – 89.98mm
Handle Diameter – 12.83mm
Availability – Guerrilla Razors
Final Word – SB Please
There have been many less than flattering comments about the handle of the original Guerrilla over the last eight years of manufacture regarding its lack of grip and the aesthetics of having a straight shaft with no machining other than three narrow grooves at each end. Personally, I thought the handle suited the intended purpose, I have never had a grip issue and quite liked its presentation but that did not stop me from ordering this razor with the alternate Rebel handle. With a titanium Guerrilla on offer, its selection was never in doubt, in fact this razor would never have materialized had it not been titanium. Having previously been blown away by the performance of the 0.69mm plate, selection for the blade gap was simple; might as well try an open comb though. Also offered was a second plate so I grabbed a 0.84mm SB plate and that will be the review for next week. All the usual Guerrilla features are present including no excess material in the cap or the plate, blade clamping at the very edge, round blade posts on the cap that mate into blind holes in the plate, Guerrilla’s ever commendable thread engagement and the standard satin finish. Another feature I’d like to commend Guerrilla on is that each plate now has the blade gap engraved at the rear.
First shave completed and I’m caught off guard, so I scuttle out for my glasses to check that the plate really does have 0.69 engraved on it and my records of the SB 0.69; the Ti’s aggression was far more than I was expecting. Efficiency for the 0.69 plated OC Guerrilla was in excess of Karve CB Level #D and it had blade feel by the truck load; back to the old days of the OC version of a razor being more aggressive that the SB plated version. My approach to subsequent shaves was a lot more cautious. A close shave was never in doubt and some weepers on can testify to that; nothing major, just those small patches that close almost immediately. The teeth on the comb can be felt but they are rounded and smooth, so they just glide over the face and become a non-event after the first couple of shaves. Lately I’ve become critical of razor balance, especially on titanium razors, so it is pleasing to report that the Guerrilla’s balance is very good. It displays all the qualities of a top shelf razor, I have been a fan of the Guerrilla since its first inception and now with the blade posts relocated to the cap, a choice of efficiency levels and four different metals to choose from, I can’t speak highly enough of the Guerrilla. I appreciated my time with the 0.69mm OC plated Guerrilla but it demands respect.
Blades Used – Wizamet Polsilver and Royal II
Material – Gr5 Titanium
Weight – 55.9g
Blade Tab - Exposed
Head Width – 41.69mm
Handle Length – 89.98mm
Handle Diameter – 12.83mm
Availability – Guerrilla Razors
Final Word – SB Please
Does this mean safety bar?
Errol
Razor Review Guru
Certainly does.