VIKINGS BLADE Adjustable Double Edge Safety Razor + Luxury Case. Smooth, Reusable, Eco-Friendly (The Emperor “Meiji”)

I primarily wanted a razor to do light shaving of my face and mostly my head since all the cartridge razors are a bit too aggressive and I had wanted hopefully an "in between" shave. This is the first time I've been able to do my head without nicks and cuts. I used the straight side with the lowest setting. The setting seems to affect its ability to open as wide as it can so it will open the most at the max setting. I didn't notice any looseness in the adjustment dial or the dial for the doors. It's heavy enough it feels like you can hurt someone with it and I love the heft and thickness and the slight length on the handle compared to the other razor that I have. I didn't do anything fancy, just a bit of conditioner and shaving cream on my head like I would do for any other kind of razor and have the slightest itch but no nicks at all or discomfort. My point of reference is using a safety razor a handful of times and have a short Van Der Hagen one which is light, thin, and even shorter than this. Not really the biggest fan plus chrome can be slick and its handle knobbing being too smooth made me look for something in the style of this one. The etched knurling on this handle feels great to me. I feel like I could get a good grip on it short of my hands being doused in oil. I coupled this with a Wilkinson sword blade for the first run as I am still getting a good feel for blades but if this holds up this has to be a good one. I also really really like the short length even as someone with relatively large hands it never felt like it was going to get away from me or that I would drop it even in awkward positions. It also did not get clogged up with hair or cream as bad as my other. If this holds up it is a fantastic piece. I also love the coloring and overall style of it, everything about it says quality in my eyes so far. I just wanted something that I could get a comfortable shave since sometimes even good razors can be very problematic on my skin and I don't need to go Krillin smooth but didn't want the typical electric stubble either and this seems to fit the bill perfectly. This one would be great for beginners but the price is the ONLY thing I think would be prohibitive but the flexibility of the adjustment is fantastic for beginners and as you get more confident or want to shave different parts differently it's a great pick so far. Edit: Astra's definitely still very much bite on the minimum setting if you aren't careful lol.

I've been using my Vikings Blade Emperor "Meiji" for almost a year and absolutely love it. I also own the standard chrome VB Emperor which is a bit larger than the Meiji, but find myself using the Meiji as my daily driver. The Meiji feels beefy and substantial in my hand due to it's weight and yet it's very maneuverable given its short handle. It's a cinch to load and unload blades given the fact that it is a true adjustable (twist to open) and the mechanism works flawlessly. And perhaps most of all, it looks fantastic. The blend of colors combined with the distinctive red stripe make this razor stand apart from most other razors on the market. The fit and finish on my unit is near-perfect. (The red stripe around the base of the handle on my unit isn't completely aligned all the way around, and you can spot minor blemishes in the finish inside the doors if you look for them. However, for the price I think the Meiji is an excellent value.) I am not a razor collector and so am not bothered that neither the Meiji nor the regular Emperor are favored by those "in the know" among the wet-shaving community. I also realize there are many shavers who have a problem with VB brand's marketing practices, or with where their razors are (or aren't) manufactured. But to me as an admittedly newer wet shaver, what matters most is what kind of shave I can get from the razor. The Meiji gives me a close yet comfortable shave; I don't have to fret over avoiding cuts or razor burns; I can just concentrate on enjoying the shave. And it looks great. One of these days, I might be interested in acquiring another razor for a different feel (alternate head design) or perhaps for a bit more durability (e.g., stainless steel). But for now, I'm happy, and I'd recommend the VB Emperor Meiji to anyone looking for an affordable, fully adjustable razor that gives a great shave.

I'm thoroughly impressed with the Emperor safety razor, which delivers exceptionally smooth shaves. While it's not perfect, this well-machined razor has the potential to last a long time if handled with care. The plastic base plate is a concern, as it may not withstand drops or rough handling. However, with gentle use, it should provide many years of service. The Emperor's design and build quality are outstanding, with a sturdy construction that feels like a tank in your hand. The adjustability is exceptional, offering a 1/2 step increment that surpasses the click functionality of other razors. This feature is particularly valuable for sensitive skin, as it allows for precise control over the shave. In my experience, even the lowest setting (level one) was slightly too aggressive for the areas around my mouth. However, the ability to dial it down by 1/2 step made all the difference, providing a perfect shave. The angle is precisely machined on both sides, ensuring a comfortable and accurate shave. At $47 (as of 2024), the Emperor is an excellent value. It has replaced my old Rockwell 6C, which served me well for three years before the threads stripped. Notably, the Emperor's number one setting is equivalent to the Rockwell's number two plate, making it a more aggressive shave. Overall, I'm delighted with the Emperor and hope it will last for years to come. If it doesn't, I may return to the Rockwell 6S. For now, I'm giving the Emperor four stars – with the caveat: handle it with care, as it's not indestructible!

I’ve been using cartridge razors since I started shaving as a teen. This is my first DE safety razor purchase and I couldn’t be happier. I did take the time to do some research before hand as I wanted to make sure I was making a good choice. One of my issues is my skin is rather sensitive and I have had been searching for a way to shave that wouldn’t leave my skin feeling I just took sand paper to it. Which has been a problem with cartridge razors. I figured my best bet was getting an adjustable razor coming out of the gate as I wanted to be able to adjust just how aggressive of a cut I wanted. I also wanted a razor with some heft to it. I stumbled upon Vikings Blade and figured The Emperor Series would meet my needs. I also purchased another manufacturer’s safety razor as an alternative. Here is what I can say about the Meiji. The Razor has a real heft to it. The build quality and quality of finish are very good. The butterfly opens and closes without any binding and works well mechanically. Blades fit well into the butterfly without issues. Once closed the blade does bend to conform to the shape of the butterfly. But this is as expected considering the design. Several other reviewers think this is a problem. Frankly it isn’t. The resulting shave of the Meiji was nothing short of spectacular. I got a smooth shave without any irritation or problems after shaving. It only took me 40 years to figure out that shaving with a safety razor, though old school was/is far superior to shaving with “shaving foam” and a cartridge razor. Conclusion, the Meiji is a great razor especially if you’re making your first DE safety razor purchase. And it is far, far superior (and painless I might add) in comparison to any cartridge razor. It is also better than other razor I purchased as an alternative.

This is a great entry-level razor, especially at the sub-$50 price point. Like most razors at this level, this one does a fine job and is made nicely. But, you MUST open it up and remove the blade after use so it can dry out. Many of these razors can rust out - even if they are anodized or coated like this one. Most people reading this are already into safety razors, so I'll try to describe this in relation to other products. It looks cool and I like the pseudo-Japanese design queues. The handle is textured and easy to grip - I never have to worry about dropping it in the shower. It's a butterfly, so that's a thing if it matters to you. I've owned several adjustables and this one does well, again - great for someone getting into this at such a price point. I started at a 1 and worked my way up. By 3 with a Derby blade, it didn't really perform as well as I like. But that's just my personal experience - everybody's different. Being an adjustable, this is a great razor for new people to experiment with aggression and see what they like best. I think it's great as a gift for your kids first razor or a novelty for a husband. If you already own a few adjustables - you know exactly what you're getting. Past that, it's all personal preference. Again, at sub-$50 you can't go wrong with what you get here.

I'll just jump straight to the skinny. The Emperor Augustus is bigger... But it doesn't mean it's better, here's why I think The Meiji is better. 1.) the dial to adjust aggressiveness is actually firm and stays in place vs Augustus. 2.) it's more compact and feels better in hand 3.) the blade clasp is firmer than the Augustus. Overall I believe the Meiji is the better razor of the 2. Officially becoming my daily driver. The Augustus is a great addition for some, for me it would appear that the Meiji is the winner. Normally small things don't normally work for me as I have big hands, so naturally I went with the Augustus for this reason. However, I found my strokes where a little awkward, I figured I just needed to get used to it... I've now gained more experience and confidence in my shave game... If I where you, test drive.. if you don't like one r ty and make one your travel buddy. 😂 Up your shaving game and treat yourself to effective and refreshing close shave.. Plus it's a solid and quality product. Cheers and happy Shaving!! Update: I'm very happy with this razor, my face is happier, my regrowth is coming in uniformed and not all swirly like cartridge razors.

"but it has a curve!!!" Get over it. It has a curve. I've used numerous safety and straight razors over the years so the curve this razor has IS noticeable. Does it cause problems? Not in the slightest, especially for you that grow stuff in patches, but then, you'd probably be better off using a pink handled Gillette. This razor is actually well built, with a good heft to it. It holds the blade well with no play in it. The handle is short but stubby (kinda like me), allowing it to be held easily, especially for us older folk. The over-all color scheme actually compliments a standard ivory colored brush really well. It is, by far, better looking than the standard silver/chrome look. The adjustment works well and allows you to dial the razor in for a better shave. After using this one, i wish every safety i have was adjustable like this one. The razor has an aggressive side and a standard side. I normally shave once a week because I kind of like having a beard on my off days but like to be cleaned up for the start of the work week. Initial pass with the aggressive side and a second with the standard side gets me cleaned up real easy. If you're one of the new aged hipsters that just lets his beard grow out and thinks "up keep" just entails washing it once every two days and likes the "i just returned from being stranded on an island for six years" look then you should be trimming that down with a beard trimmer first. All in all, I think this razor is pretty wonderful. I might just buy a few other models of theirs to try.

So I orginally started using a single blade razor off amazon that was cheaper. Big ben blades came with it and after trying others ill propbably stick with those. maybe ill try what this company built the razor in mind with but i figured they are a standered size. Big Ben blades just cut way better and for longer. Now to the razor, it clogs up. my cheap one never cloged, was open on the underside significantly more. Im not a huge fan of how heavy it is, because I became accustomed to a cheap ones weight. So that could change. The build quality is awesome compared to the cheap one. Absolutely awesome in this aspect. and lastly the adjustable feature is kind of worthless in my opinion it on its highest really isn't that aggressive in my opinion. Again compared to my cheap one. All this being said it being $200 cheaper than other ones on the market it's worth the money!