(04-20-2023, 01:47 AM)Entasis Wrote: (04-19-2023, 11:02 PM)DanLaw Wrote: Being how this vendor is defunct, feel at liberty to post frankly that would not regarding an artisan yet in production. Hopefully will not offend the Mods nor violate forum decorum.
Have owned multples of every Paradigm excepting the SE, in each case hoping that upon repurchasing would find they weren't as middlin' shavers as previous experience indicated. In each case the hype of posts just didn't meet up with reality.
Well and truly glad others like them but am not a collector thus having no interest in exchange value; purchase what works for me.
In the case of Paradigm they were of middling manufacturing quality at their original premium retail price, way too high stack height, harsh shaving for the efficiency delivered and just not special beyond the limited production runs. However, will stipulate finding the Art Deco handles winsome - perhaps he should relaunch as a specialist focusing on handles (under the proviso he contract a competent machine shop with quality polishing skills). Unfortunately, the Paradigm razors were not purchased for the handles resulting in disappointment that was only resolved with their liquidation.
My suspicion is like a few other defunct razor artisans, Paradigm products are only valuable in their scarcity, possessing nothing to offer excepting exclusivity as with a number of hideous 'collector cars' that were reviled in their day as rubbish but now highly coveted.
I simply do not share your sentiment. The Ti 1 is still my favorite DE, which is the closest to shaving with a straight razor in face feel and shaving ability. My Ti 2 never fails to yield a perfect shave and shave satisfaction. Paradigm's SE still ranks the best of my SE razors. None of my Paradigm razors were purchased above initial retail pricing. All of my Paradigm razors are machined to perfection except my Diamondback (2nd run), which is not to the same level as my other Paradigm razors. I suspect that initial retail pricing was also set with consideration of the third party vendor profit who introduced Paradigm to the shaving world. I have no intention of ever selling any of my Paradigm razors, as they are among my favorite razors—not for their prices paid or present asking prices, but for their shaving abilities.
Also, I have respect for most razor artisans, since I have never undertaken designing and manufacturing a razor of my own, so I yield constructive criticism of their razors with that in mind. The artisans' of my straight razor collection have my utmost respect for their craftsmanship and abilities.
I am not advocating nor am I interested in purchasing the Ti 2 on eBay. It is my hopes that Paradigm continues to produce future razors and is not defunct because I will purchase each new model released.
My Paradigms I payed way over the price that’s because in name of my father who passed away and wanted to have in memory in my Den and they are best shavers among BBS-1 it’s simply my go to I can grab it and knowing it would be just smooth shave without irritation etc…
But when it comes to pricing I knew I have to bite the bullet and dish out knowing it it’s for a good cause and would never part with it regardles I be in this hobby or not Period!!!
Surely if I can help folks to find one at decent price yes but chances of that happening are slim!!
To me personally I really appreciate what Andy have done from Paradigm as razors I don’t know whole history etc…about Andy or what he have done it’s none of my business nor simply I care!!
I’m here to enjoy this hobby and do best we can help each other to extent with mutual respect!
Alan H
CK89,
DanLaw and
Entasis like this post
"Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."
- Albert Einstein