VIKINGS BLADE Double Edge Safety Razor for Men + 5 Swedish Steel Blades + Luxury Case. Smooth, Reusable, Eco-Friendly (Chieftain “Odin”)

So to start off, I had been using Dorco razors for the past 8yrs or so. While I love how they feel and how easy it is to use a standard safety razor, I figured there has to be a cheaper yet better alternative. Eureka!!! Old school double-edged safety razors. I asked my Dad about them as I know he used to use them back in his youth. He told me they would always cut him and that I would be nuts to start shaving with one in this day in age. So I took his advice and bought the Dorco's once again.After about another month or so, I got the itch to try a old school razor once again and had been doing research for some time on double-edge razors and how to use them, handling techniques, etc. I finally bit the bullet and got me a Viking Chieftain as from what I had seen, would probably be a good beginner old school razor.When the Chieftain finally arrived I was honestly marveled by the fit and the polish. It looks great in my hand and is very sturdy. Plus that shine screams that I'm a classy gent. Eh or so I thought. The handle while small does give me a lot of finesse into how I use the razor.Now onto the first shave. I had purchased a badger brush and got my Cremo Shave Cream that I had been using prior to the Viking. After I worked up too much lather and coated my face so much that I looked like a brown Santa Claus, I began to shave. For those out there that aren't sure about how to shave, don't do what I did and laugh so hard that you end up with cream all over the counter because you thought it was funny to see how much lather your face could actually hold. You should have enough on to coat your face, not create peaks of creamy white goodness all over the place and then decide to style it in various ways to amuse yourself.The shave itself was phenomenal. Granted the first blades I used were the mild (more flexible and not feudal Japan Katana sharp) ones that came in the box so I could get used to the feel and master my handling technique of the blade. I had reached out to the Viking team because I couldn't master the way of the blade and they promptly got back to me and let me know that I should be using the legendary 3-fingered hold so that I may glide the blade along my face. Also be sure to let the weight of the head do the work for you. Be sure to have it at roughly a 30-degree angle too. Short strokes work best. Don't be afraid to apply more cream if you have funky patches that you have to shave in multiple angles to get smooth.After about 2 weeks of this practice-until-perfection shaving technique I had at last mastered the way of the face blade. Not only is using the Viking relaxing when I shave as it gives me time to think, but I also have noticed that my skin is less prone to irritation as was the way of the Dorcos. My skin is like a baby's butt when I finish shaving and my girlfriend loves the smoothness. I shave roughly every other day and ALWAYS use a fresh blade each time. Also once you master using the blade, definitely upgrade to much sharper ones and I would even recommend a sampler pack so you can find which blades work best for you. As there are so many, the sampler packs will help you to figure out what you like and don't like. I am now particularly fond of the Wilkinson Sword razor blades because of this.I will definitely be buying another Viking product soon. Oh and don't forget to get a stand to show off your razor and badger brush. The looks you get from family and your lady will have you feeling like a daft gent in no time, especially when they ask you what you shave with. You just tell them that you went to the Viking School of Razor.

I started wet shaving with a traditional double-edged safety razor in June of last year—or rather, that was the first time I truly succeeded at it. I had experimented before with various razors, but most of them ended up shearing my face. The only one I found safe to use was the Merkur Open Comb 9104001 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R21LFY5ZNW75AS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00595BY6U). Once I got comfortable with that and my technique improved, I decided to try something just a little more aggressive.That’s when I stumbled upon the Vikings Blade Chieftain on Amazon. When I checked discussions on razor enthusiast forums like Reddit, I found the reviews to be mixed. There was some condescension towards the Vikings Blade brand, with speculation that it was just a dressed-up Baili product (but hey, isn't Apple a dressed-up Foxconn product in some sense?) but I felt that the positive reviews rang true. The brand’s presentation—while maybe a little over the top—somehow resonated with me as light-hearted pride for a good product, and I decided to go for it.Now, the Chieftain has become my daily driver. The build quality is outstanding—exceptionally solid and well-constructed. It provides a close and comfortable shave, and I almost never nick myself. That said, I do use Shark Stainless Blades, which are relatively mild, so that likely contributes to the smooth experience.Having gone from one Holy Grail to another, I think the search for the perfect razor is either never-ending excitement or pointless extravagance. I'm happy to call my Vikings Blade Chieftain a long-term solution for my simple needs: a quick, safe, effective and economical alternative to the cartridges I used before. It’s a well-made, forgiving razor that delivers a great shave, making it an excellent choice for those looking for something slightly more aggressive than an entry-level model without venturing into borderline weaponry.

I recently made the switch to a safety razor, this is my first experience with a safety razor and I am very content. The quality, especially for the price seems amazing, this may change over years but the material feels solid and sturdy.This is an exceptionally close and clean shave and wish I needed to use this more than I do.I compared to a friend who has the same razor and the only issue his razor seems to have is mild hard water build up he didn't mind or notice.The price is amazing compared to other brands, but I haven't used those other brands to tell anyone if this is any better or worse.My only note is a wish for a larger handle in the same style, the handle seems to be average for this type of razor and I'm confused why it's so short, it may just be I was used to a very long handle in my previous cartridge razor. However this is at best a nitpick.

This is my first razor like this and it's great! I love the way it looks and the weight of it.So easy to use and I really like how they send along blades that are, I guess, safer to use till you get used to it.I only have one drawback for this razor though.I wish the handle was a little bit longer. I use this razor for shaving my head, which it does an awesome job at.But the handle being a little too short makes your hand hurt after a little while trying to hold onto it.From what i can see of other razors they all seem to be about the same length so it's not just this razor.This is the only reason for a star loss. If it had a little longer handle it would be an easy 5 star.