Paradigm Shaveware The Diamondback

I have no dog in this fight, but not a single person here, myself included, would be able to tell the difference between 303 and 316 if they weren’t told. Both are over-specced for the application and there is no reason for 316L unless you intend to do a lot of scuba-shaving. You’re being sold something because you’re told it’s “better” without considering whether it actually is for the job. This is a paper argument. In the hand you’d have absolutely no clue which is the “better” steel.

Thank you for your input, Shane!

From an IG post by WCS responding to a question regarding the efficiency of the Diamondback, “thanks for the question. We reached out to Paradigm for this. “It’s similar to Ti 1 in efficiency, more user friendly. Am I allowed to say that it’s our best DE to date? Given the level of efficiency, it’s lretty darn easy and safe to shave with. The gap at .8 is pretty healthy.”

I have no dog in this fight, but not a single person here, myself included, would be able to tell the difference between 303 and 316 if they weren’t told. Both are over-specced for the application and there is no reason for 316L unless you intend to do a lot of scuba-shaving. You’re being sold something because you’re told it’s “better” without considering whether it actually is for the job. This is a paper argument. In the hand you’d have absolutely no clue which is the “better” steel.

Doesn’t everyone scuba dive with a de razor in their pocket?

Is it to be sold as a machined finish for $240usd?

Thank you for your input, Shane!

From an IG post by WCS responding to a question regarding the efficiency of the Diamondback, “thanks for the question. We reached out to Paradigm for this. “It’s similar to Ti 1 in efficiency, more user friendly. Am I allowed to say that it’s our best DE to date? Given the level of efficiency, it’s lretty darn easy and safe to shave with. The gap at .8 is pretty healthy.”

The Ti1 is a better than average razor. It's nothing special, other than a low production total. If the Diamondback is similar, but smoother, it will still be better than average. It'll be a hard pass for me, no matter the price or material, as I don't believe it could replace anything I have and I'm not one that has to try every new razor on the market. I would think for $240 though it would be polished. My personal BS aside, it is nice to have it in the market. I hope he sells every one he makes. I don't know Andy as well as others, but my interactions with him were very good.

With that said, I'd argue that .8 is a "healthy" gap. We all know that gap is only part of the equation but with the recent trend of big gaps, .80mm, to me is "meh"....unless, it has Blackbird exposure, which my guess is, it won't because it would no longer be smoother than a Ti1. I also get that Andy probably wasn't directing his answer to guys like me. He is aiming at those with much better technique, I'm certain.

“It’s similar to Ti 1 in efficiency, more user friendly. Am I allowed to say that it’s our best DE to date? Given the level of efficiency, it’s lretty darn easy and safe to shave with. The gap at .8 is pretty healthy.”

Lovely....sounds like those of us who don't know private collectors on facebook (and don't want to blow $600-900) are in for a treat.

I have no dog in this fight, but not a single person here, myself included, would be able to tell the difference between 303 and 316 if they weren’t told. Both are over-specced for the application and there is no reason for 316L unless you intend to do a lot of scuba-shaving. You’re being sold something because you’re told it’s “better” without considering whether it actually is for the job. This is a paper argument. In the hand you’d have absolutely no clue which is the “better” steel.

I noticed that there was Pils issue noted in one forum before, it was not made of 316L and got rusted. Might be different reasons, not sure. 
https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/pils-stainless-steel-razor-with-rust.164944/
 
Brands, whose razors are made of 316L, note that:
We need 316 SS to get sufficient corrosion resistance for the safety razors.
They might be corroded with time, due to tap water, humidity in bathroom, interaction with carbon blades and shaving soaps, etc.  

I honestly don't have any idea whether 303 SS will rust or not within 10 years, or no idea to we really need 316L for safety razors.
But as much as I know, corrosion will not initiate instantly, it requires time. It is hard to know now.
Since, many CNC razors were manufactured less than 5 years ago.  

I remember that some brands like Rex, Rockwell, whose razors made of 316L, give lifetime warranty.
Is it possible to get lifetime warranty against corrosion for Blackland Razors? 

Also it could be nice if you can inform me about:
What is the machining cost or machining time difference, if you use 316L or 303 for your razors?

“It’s similar to Ti 1 in efficiency, more user friendly. Am I allowed to say that it’s our best DE to date? Given the level of efficiency, it’s lretty darn easy and safe to shave with. The gap at .8 is pretty healthy.”

Lovely....sounds like those of us who don't know private collectors on facebook (and don't want to blow $600-900) are in for a treat.

Have you tried a Ti1? If not, you might like it. I traded a WR2 1.25DC for one. Luckily, the Ti1 had an undisclosed scratch on the head, I got to send it back. The two razors are similar in efficiency, best I recall. For me, no surprise here, the 1.25SB is a much better razor. 1.25SSOC side? I'd likely take the Ti1....then sell it fast, and order the 125SB.

Thank you for your input, Shane!

From an IG post by WCS responding to a question regarding the efficiency of the Diamondback, “thanks for the question. We reached out to Paradigm for this. “It’s similar to Ti 1 in efficiency, more user friendly. Am I allowed to say that it’s our best DE to date? Given the level of efficiency, it’s lretty darn easy and safe to shave with. The gap at .8 is pretty healthy.”

The Ti1 is a better than average razor.  It's nothing special, other than a low production total.  If the Diamondback is similar, but smoother, it will still be better than average.  It'll be a hard pass for me, no matter the price or material, as I don't believe it could replace anything I have and I'm not one that has to try every new razor on the market.  I would think for $240 though it would be polished.  My personal BS aside, it is nice to have it in the market.  I hope he sells every one he makes.  I don't know Andy as well as others, but my interactions with him were very good.

With that said, I'd argue that .8 is a "healthy" gap.  We all know that gap is only part of the equation but with the recent trend of big gaps, .80mm, to me is "meh"....unless, it has Blackbird exposure, which my guess is, it won't because it would no longer be smoother than a Ti1.  I also get that Andy probably wasn't directing his answer to guys like me.  He is aiming at those with much better technique, I'm certain.

Hard pass for me too, I’ve tried almost all the new modern, hard to get and expensive DE razors out there and Charcoal Goods is the one that works unbelievably well for me. I just can’t see another DE razors beating it for me, when you find that razor you lose the need to try everything else. The DE razor market also seems a bit crowded now. It’s a bit relieving not wanting to buy the newest DE razors anymore.

That said, I did just buy a Polished ATT SE1 to give the SE another go 

I have no dog in this fight, but not a single person here, myself included, would be able to tell the difference between 303 and 316 if they weren’t told. Both are over-specced for the application and there is no reason for 316L unless you intend to do a lot of scuba-shaving. You’re being sold something because you’re told it’s “better” without considering whether it actually is for the job. This is a paper argument. In the hand you’d have absolutely no clue which is the “better” steel.

Corrosion resistance wouldn’t be my concern with 303 Steel, for me personally I was considering Hardness of the Steel. I was of the understanding that 316L and 17-4 were both harder steels than 303. I understand that Razors aren’t made to do anything other than Shave. That being said, I’ve had to purchase a loose Handle for my Blackbird in the past because it slipped from my hands while cleaning it in the sink after shaving. The fall was approximately six inches to the bottom of my sink, but was enough to ding up my Handle. As I said, I know that this isn’t what the Handle was designed for, but I wonder if 316L or 17-4 would have come out unscathed after a similar accident? So for me personally, the steels hardness is something I would consider.

 I will pass on this Razor as well since my OCD would flare up when the octagon Handle didn’t line up flush with the Head when screwed on. I hope it’s a good shaver though, I like what he’s shooting for.