Tier One Echelon Elite: Unboxing and First Impressions
How’s it going? I’m doing an unboxing and first impressions of the Tier One Echelon Elite.
I found out about this company through our Discord server. My friend Alex shared it, and the moment I saw the .308 casing handle I was hooked. I’m a shave nerd. That kind of thing gets my attention fast.
Who Is Tier One Razors?
Full disclosure right up front: I did not pay for this razor. After Alex posted it, I dug around the website and learned this is a brand-new razor manufacturer operated by a father and son in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Everything is made in Milwaukee from American materials.
Here’s what really grabbed me, especially as a Second Amendment firearm enthusiast. Their original business, one they’re still running, is Helius Tactical. They make platforms and attachments for the AR. Muzzles, grips, that kind of thing. Their machining operation has been running since 2016, and from my understanding they’re producing these razors using the same CNC equipment and machining standards from that same facility.
The father, Greg, is a Navy veteran. The company donates 17.76% of their profits to a veterans and first responders program. That 17.76 is no accident. 1776. I was immediately impressed.
The Packaging
This box is rugged. I mean it. It has that thick corrugated feel, like you could step on it. Heavy, substantial. The kind of packaging that tells you someone cared about what’s inside. I got a black bag, then the box, then the razor nested in there nice and snug.
Came with five Dorco blades.
Three Razors, One Head
Looking at the website, there are three razors: the Echelon Elite, the Echelon Ranger, and the Echelon .308. All three share the same head. Tier One is manufacturing one head right now with three different handles.
That .308 handle looks exactly like a .308 casing. Mine came in black, but the razors come in four colors: black, gunmetal gray, service blue, and a red option. Mix and match however you want.
The Ranger handle is big and beefy, still fairly light. Assembled specs: the Elite is 5.3 inches and 57 grams, the Ranger comes in at 65 grams, and the .308 is 3.8 inches and 38 grams. The Elite at 5.3 inches is longer than what I’d normally reach for, but I’ll start there.
The Handle System
Playing with it in hand during the video, I found a couple of different assembly configurations, a shorter travel length and the full 5.3-inch setup. I’ll probably run the long assembly first and work my way shorter once I’ve spent some time with it.
There’s also a lanyard loop built into the handle. Thread it through, pull one end, and you can hang the razor. If you’re using it that way regularly, it’s genuinely handy. If you’re not, it can get in the way of your grip down there. That’s a use-it-or-remove-it call depending on your setup.
The Head
This is the part that made me stop scrolling on Alex’s Discord post. One side of the head is a 30-degree angle. The other side is 38 degrees. Two different blade angles on one head. I haven’t seen that on anything else I’ve used in this hobby.
The head is machined from solid billet aluminum. There’s a serial number on the top. Blade tabs are completely covered. I loaded a used blade just to check the feel of the clamp, and I was impressed. Nice and positive. That’s the right feel.
Pricing
The regular price of the Echelon Elite is $87.76. That 76-cent ending is a nod to 1776, same theme as the 17.76% charitable giving figure. Most of their pricing carries that through.
There’s a 10% launch special already factored into the site price, bringing the Elite to $78.98. On top of that, when the email signup popup hits you while you’re browsing, sign up. You’ll get an additional 7.76% off your first purchase. Stack both and you’re walking away with solid savings on whichever razor you choose.
If I was buying one with my own money right now, it would probably be the .308. It’s wicked sick. The handle, especially in all black, is one of the coolest pieces I’ve seen come through this hobby. One thing I can’t find is the handles sold separately, and I think that’s a missed opportunity. A lot of guys are going to want all three handles for one head.
What’s Next
This is just the unboxing and first impressions. I’ll do a full outdoor shave with the Elite, and then we’ll go through the complete razor review format once I’m comfortable with it. I don’t like calling a verdict on the first shave. The more time I put into something, the more settled my opinion gets. With two different blade angles here, there’s going to be a real learning curve finding the right sweet spot on each side.
I’ll start with the Dorcos it came with. That’s my protocol with every new razor.
Thanks again to Greg and Alex at Tier One for sending this out for review. The Echelon Elite is available at tieronerazor.com. And if you’re a firearms guy, check out Helius Tactical too. Links to both in the description. This company has my attention. We’ll see how it shaves.