Not surprised with the results. The timeless is only one of 3 DE's I own because it's THAT good.Shave Off Complete!
Paradigm 17 4 vs Timeless Titanium DC .95 using the SB side only.
I waited to report this Shave Off as I did a late night shave and the end results were so close shave wise that I wanted to give it at least 12 to 15 hrs before reporting so maybe I'd get a better read on the shave I got from both of them and I"m glad I did which I'll explain in this post. So first up is the Paradigm 17 4 which to me the first modern razor that defined what a almost perfect balance of both efficiency and smoothness in one razor is. The first time I used it I was very surprised by it as another friend had told me what he had experienced with it and I'm like ok I"ve got to get one as I was going back and forth because of the handle which again at the time I wasn't sure I'd like which btw I now very much enjoy. Anyway to me it was trendsetter that was followed by other razors that provided the same balance & smoothness that the 17 4 did and maybe even surpassed it ( I'll leave those comments till later on ) anyway the razor is built like a freaking tank! It even feels like a substanale razor in hand that could last 5 lifetimes. Fit and finish is very good and it has a different tone to it than many other high polished razors I have and I'm assuming it's the 17 4 steel that's responsible for that but I may be wrong. It's a great razor and I'll leave it at that. On to the high polished Timeless Titanium .95 DC. Was at the Maggard shave meet where Timeless first announced it and had a prototype to show and I was smitten immediately and knew I had to have one as I have been a fan of not only my SS Timeless .95 DC but the company, it's owners and the excellent quality service they provide. Weighing in at 74 grams on my scale it is lighter than the 17 4 which comes in at an even 100 grams I had no issues adjusting to either razor when in hand so that was not a factor at all in determining the outcome of this Shave Off. The Timeless fit and finish is also excellent and aside from a high polished Wolfman and maybe a RS 10 ( have to put the 3 of them side by side ) well it's very good so I'm sure you get the drift. I have to say also I've never put these two razors side by side in a Shave Off so going into this Shave Off I had no clue which one would preval and take this Shave Off. I know some members chimed in and predicted the 17 4 would emerge the winner but I said going into this Shave Off to stay focused and call it like it I saw it or should I say felt it. Anyway I used two brand new Polsilver blades, DG Bandwagon Shave Soap and aftershave splash and my Paladin two band badger shave brush.
Decided to do my normal WTG and ATG 2 pass shave on 2 days growth and of course using my SSSST and a nice hot shower for prep. Sectioned my face in the normal 4 sections to make things fair.
Gear used:
Timeless Titanium .95 DC
Paradigm 17 4 SS
Polsilver blades
DG Bandwagon Shave soap & aftershave
Paladin two band shave brush
1st pass WTG - I wanted to start out with the Paradigm on my right side face and give the Timeless my right side neck. Both difficult to shave but the right side neck is the worst with my nasty swirling cowlick and weird beard growth pattern on my neck from right under my ear all along my jawline and eventually meeting up with my cowlick which is just right of my Adams apple. With Paradigm in hand I began my N to S pass and decided to stick to my normal 3 movement short buffing like stroke to get the most out of these two razors with a good skin stretch about 2 inches behind the razor head. Well the Paradigm and Polsilver went to work immediately taking down my growth and my beard offered no resistance to this combo as it took it down with some blade feel and audible feedback was very soft. The razor has its own unique feel to it and really doesn't have any noticeable shaving flaws in my opinion. No issues getting under my nose or around my mouth and my kind of difficult to shave chin didn't offer a whole lot of resistance but after passing over it I knew by feel than there was some stubble left to deal with on the next pass even though it had taken a good amount off on this pass. So an excellent pass from the Paradigm! Continuing downward on my neck with the Timeless the first thing you feel is the weight difference and your first instinct is to apply some pressure but it is not needed as the razor is plenty efficient to take down 2 days growth without using any. What was surprising was the Timeless was even quieter and had less blade feel than the Paradigm which really surprised me! Again remember I only used the SB side but I did at that moment turn the razor around and took two strokes just to compare the SB side to the OC side and there was a noticeable although subtle difference between the OC and SB but not as much as I've noticed the difference in the SS model. Just thought I'd throw that info in. Anyway this razor is very nimble and I feel like I'm driving a sports car around a track. A J hook with this razor is so easy to do and feels so natural I couldn't resist doing two on my cowlick. Wonderful! The pass went quickly even using the short strokes I almost felt like I hit the fast forward button on my TV. So an excellent pass from the Timeless Ti. With it in hand I went directly over to my left side and started my N to S pass right under my sideburn and like the 17 4 the stubble offered no resistance and was quickly taken down. Even though the head on the Timeless is got a higher profile I had no issues whatsoever getting under my nose and around my mouth the razor excelled. Very smooth take down on my chin whiskers and I was done with this section of my face and once again another excellent pass from the Ti. Picked up the 17 4 and with my much more predictable growth on my left side this pass was not long lasting and the Paradigm displayed it's balance of efficiency & Smoothness on this section and it was over in no time with excellent results. I did a quick rinse after finishing the WTG pass and relathered and btw the DG soap offered some nice slickness and I felt it also had enough residual slickness that if I had wanted to do a Reverse Skin Stretch on the last pass it would have been no problem and a note on the scent. When I first got it I wasn't sure if I liked it and was thinking of selling it but didn't and over time it has grown on me and I can say I like it. So I lathered up my face again ready for the ATG pass.
2nd Pass ATG - With the Timeless in hand at the base of my neck I gave my skin a good stretch and started my journey North and on this pass if there were any stubble left over from the first pass the TI was having not going to let them see any daylight as it sent them down below my skin level and I could feel them disappear. Another very quick excellent pass with this nimble razor and I'm in a grove and didn't want to lose it so picked up the 17 4 and continued upward and this razor was taking no prisoners either sending my stubble to their temporary grave. When I got to my mouth and under my lips I slowed down a bit as the weight of the razor came into play a tiny bit and I found it not as nimble around my mouth or under my nose as the Timeless on the ATG pass but had no problem with my chin. So a very good pass. With it in hand I headed over to the base of my neck on my left side and started my S to N pass and this pass was maybe the best for the Paradigm as it just scooted through the remaining stubble like it wasn't there! So an excellent pass for the 17 4! Grabbed the Ti and started up my face with a good skin stretch and wowser this razor just seems overall better than my SS .95 in every way. Can't explain it but smoother, more nimble and equal in efficiency. I think Timeless hit a winner with this razor. I loved the way it was on this ATG pass not only on my face but I didn't feel the need to slow down one bit under my nose or around my mouth and I just for the heck of it took a stroke or two right onto the top of my lips right from my chin going upward I had so much confidence in this razor. So another excellent pass from the Timeless Ti and this Shave Off is in the books.
Post Shave summary:
Ok I put this in because after the Shave Off with these two I did a face feel with my hands and also backed it up with a cotton pad and you guessed it.. dead even on beard reduction so I'm like I better wait at least 12 hrs as they both gave me a very solid level 2 BBS before using the scoring system. Ok as I'm writing this it's been over 24 hrs and I'm not only glad I waited to report this Shave Off but I've got a clear winner here using the scoring system.
Scoring system:
Paradigm 17 4
1. Smoothness = 56 points
2. Efficiency = 15 points
3. Balance = 4 points
4. Maneuverability = 4 points
5. Glide = 4 1/2 points
Total score = 83 1/2 points
Timeless Titanium .95 DC
1. Smoothness = 56 1/2 points
2. Efficiency = 15 points
3. Balance = 4 points
4. Maneuverability = 5 points.
5. Glide = 4 1/2 points
Total score = 85 points
So an upset happened based on some of the predictions by some of the members and I can assure you I have no bias in this Shave Off nor did I have any pre - perception of who I felt would take this one as like I mentioned I've never done a side by side with these two razors before. The Paradigm set the standard for a razor that offered both efficiency & smoothness and the Timeless matched it in efficiency and surpassed it slightly in smoothness and also was more nimble with a tad bit better balance which gave it a better score and I'd say this razor is a serious contender for the finial 4 and the overall champion. Don't get me wrong the Paradigm is an awesome razor and I have a lot of respect for it and you could not go wrong adding one to your collection but they are somewhat hard to get your hands on and command about $400 to $500 on the secondary market. The Timeless is easily obtained and offers a 30 day trial period and less expensive so take all that into consideration when choosing.
With that said I would recommend either razor in a NY heartbeat! Some of you may have had different results using these 2 razors but I can only give you my opinion on every razor I shave with and every Shave Off I do when comparing and doing a review.
Great Shaves my friends!
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Great write-up Frank!
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? I want a recount 
but until then I’ll have to rethink a new set although I still believe the RS10 will be the overall champion.
Here are my guesses:
