Paradigm 17-4 SS Razor

People also rave about the WR2, but I’m still struggling with that one as well.

what gap do you have...can you elaborate on the problem?

I have the WR2 SB in 1.15 Gap, and the problem is I’m not getting good shaves with it. Going to try using it exclusively for a few weeks to see if I can get better results.

I had a great initial shave with the 1.15 then my next few shaves were blah, I tried different blades with no help. It finally came to me that I need to use a soap with really good slickness and I get a great shave with it using either a Polsilver or a feather. Don’t know if this will help you but it helped bring the 1.15 back to being one of my favorite daily drivers.

The Titanium Paradigm 1 was the first one released it is more on the aggressive side, comparable to a Wolfman WR1 .94. The 17-4 was the next release and it is a smooth, very little blade feel, but efficient razor. The next release was a new Titanium that has the same head geometry of the 17-4 but the same handle as the original Titanium, most people label this as Titanium 2 version 1. Andy then released 2 batches of the Titanium 2 version2 ( still the same head geometry of the 17-4) but he put a new handle on it that had deeper knurling and the handle does not taper like the previous Titanium 2. The Titanium 1 is not highly polished the Titanium 2. Erosion 1&2 are highly polished. As far as aggression goes I would rank it from most to least
Titanium 1
17-4
Titanium 2
I have found in talking to a few people who had trouble with the 17-4 that because there was such little blade feel they were using too much pressure. Just my opinion as I find it to be a very mild, smooth and efficient razor. The Titanium 1 definitely has blade feel but is still very smooth. Hope this helps.

Thanks thats a perfect summation saves me reading 40 pages.

I had a great initial shave with the 1.15 then my next few shaves were blah, I tried different blades with no help. It finally came to me that I need to use a soap with really good slickness and I get a great shave with it using either a Polsilver or a feather. Don’t know if this will help you but it helped bring the 1.15 back to being one of my favorite daily drivers.

This is very helpful....

Remember reading the effective angle on WR2 is a bit narrow and if you don't get it, it won't shave well.
Hunter, what soap do you use normally, if you don't mind me asking?

Shavemd wrote:

I had a great initial shave with the 1.15 then my next few shaves were blah, I tried different blades with no help. It finally came to me that I need to use a soap with really good slickness and I get a great shave with it using either a Polsilver or a feather. Don’t know if this will help you but it helped bring the 1.15 back to being one of my favorite daily drivers.

I have had a LA Shaving BBS-1 razor since May of 2017. My shaves with it have been inconsistent. Reading the WR-2 threads, it seems it (Being similar in design) also 'suffers' from shavers having inconsistent shaves. My WR-1 .74 SB in Brass is usually smoother and more consistent.

Last night I used the above advice:

I used my 'slickest soap' (Tallow & Steel Himalaya, a Feather Blade, and the handle that works well for me on the BBS-1 and other razors (Usually BETTER than the original handles that come with most razors): my UFO Ti Fine GRAND L, (20mm diameter, 90mm length, 109 grams), as it allows me to use NO pressure (as it should be).

I did 2 passes (WTG, then XTG), and then used a Timeless .68mm Gap Ti OC head on a Ti Stork EX2/3 95mm handle (42g) for ATG pass on my neck (Only).

I had an excellent BBS result with a smooth shave (usually difficult with the BBS-1 razor).