Paradigm 17-4 SS Razor

Also I just received a backup titanium Razorock Baby Smooth. Joe at Italian barber says this is it...the last of the Ti BS razors. I wonder if the time consuming aspect of titanium is why he’s not making any more.

Wonderful explanation and description behind the 17-4. You cleared a lot up about a unique razor. I had never heard of 17-4 steel before. Great stuff!

You are dead on about one thing: the stuff is expensive to machine. Being that the chromium nitride coating I intended to use, but did not, is also very expensive, it's hard to justify the 17-4. What makes the razor perform is not so much the steel as the geometry and machining. 17-4 takes a nice, bright polish though.

Andy , thank you for a great razor . I'm happy that I managed to buy one 17-4 . You say that after heat treatment the steel brittle . This means that if the razor is dropped , the upper lid may crack ? Thank You!

It looks like if there is another batch of the 17-4 Paradigm it might be called 303 or 316. This type of steel (17-4) is particularly hard on the machinists tooling equipment and will be very expensive to make and probably not worth it.  

A lot of talk of 17-4 being scratch resistant but that’s inaccurate. Apparently someone bought a scratched one at a discount from the vendor.

Incidentally. Bullgoose did resell a razor, but it was returned because of lack of polish on the underside of top cap.

I'll go even further, in the interest of full disclosure. We have had an issue with the thin wall section of top caps. They don't scratch so much as get little dings or chips, probably because the steel is so hard it is a bit brittle, like ceramic. I regard quality control as a very serious matter, and anybody that had an issue is getting the top cap replaced.

I purchased this one, it was fully disclosed at the time of purchase, and I was/am happy to get it.  Since I've received it and used it I can assure you the blemish is only seen once a week when I change blades and even then I have to look for it.  Originally I had considered polishing it myself, but I misunderstood and though the blemish was on the bottom of the bottom plate where you could see it.  No, only when the top cap is off for cleaning can you even notice it.  I'm happy to have it, and due to a self-imposed shave gear sabbatical I would have missed this razor completely had Phil not contacted me based on an instagram post.  I had heard he kept a couple in reserve for returns and when an appropriate amount of time passed he sold the reserves.  A couple more came back after that and he handled the sales accordingly.  Knowing all this, I was disappointed when I missed out on the one with the dings on the top cap.  When the time comes, I'd be happy to buy at least a couple more (a backup/travel for me and another as a gift to my brother).  I've got an embarrassing number of razors and this one is the top of the heap for me.  

If you ever need a test subject for the SE or further DE designs I'm game   .  You've earned my/our trust with regards to design as well as full transparency on every step of the product lifetime and distribution. I have no constructive criticism for anyone or anything in the process other than we all just want to see more of this great razor!

Andy, would you make another razor from the 17-4 SS?

Andy , thank you for a great razor . I'm happy that I managed to buy one 17-4 . You say that after heat treatment the steel brittle . This means that if the razor is dropped , the upper lid may crack ? Thank You!

No. They have been drop tested from head height. A few times. Nobody on this end can figure out how a few came through with the thin wall ding.

Thank you very much for the answer . Tell me you planning to release a stainless steel ( 303 or 316.17-4) or the release will only be a Titan ?

“I'd be happy to buy at least a couple more (a backup/travel for me and another as a gift to my brother).  I've got an embarrassing number of razors and this one is the top of the heap for me.”


Yes, yes and yes!

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Thank you very much for the answer . Tell me you planning to release a stainless steel ( 303 or 316.17-4) or the release will only be a Titan ?

The first iteration of artist club will be titanium. I'll definitely have something other than ti after that.

After reading this entire posting from beginning to end (Jan 27th), I want a Paradigm SS 17-4. When they become available, will they be sold through Bullgoose or direct from Paradigm? Also, do you expect to have them available in 2018, or should I add this to my 2019 wish list ( my personal expectation management)? Thank you to everyone for the reviews and education about this amazing product.