Shaveology Double Edge Safety Razor Review - Not a good Head

Meh, Bought this as my first safety razor. Handle is smooth and slick when wet. The head design is poor because it let's the shaving cream and cut stubble build up on the blade and doesn't wash away with hot tap water ( it must be disassembled to remove.)


This brings me to changing/removing the blades ( I remove and dry the blade after every shave to prolong blade life [micro-rust is what dulls blades quickly]) . There are three separate parts to juggle every time you change blades and putting the blade back on is toilsome and dangerous, these are razor blades afterall and the less you handle them the less chance of an accidental cut/slice.


So I found the butterfly style of safety razor, one part where when you twist the handle the top flowers open to expose the blade, much easier and safer to change blades and no parts to juggle or lose, no idea why anyone would still make a pieces-parts type of razor when the butterfly tech is right there for the taking...and my butterfly razor doesn't gunk up with cream and stubble like this one does.

Viking Blade Safety Razor Review - Does What I want

First of all, I did not buy this because of the "raw manliness" shtick. If anything, that sort of BS marketing tends to turn me off of a product. If your masculinity is defined by the products you buy, then you'd be better off spending your money on a therapist. Seriously.

That said, I decided to make the move to this "old-fashioned" type of razor because I have been working overseas in areas where it can be difficult to find the more common disposable plastic heads, making the double edge blades a more economical and easier to pack alternative. I went looking for a new razor because I wasn't pleased with the one I had, which has some heft to it but has a build quality I've not been thrilled with. I was attracted to the Vikings Blade because of the butterfly head, which I prefer to my old razor's screw-apart head. I also liked that reviewers kept mentioning that the razor covers the ends of the blades, since I've had a bad habit of nicking myself up.

Because I have very sensitive skin, I only shave a couple times a week, so I've only used the razor a couple of times since it arrived. So far, though, I have been very pleased with it. I agree with the other reviewers that it covers the ends of the blades well, so I've been able to shave near nostrils and the corners of my mouth without slicing myself, which has been very welcome. Being able to drop a blade in and close the head with a quick twist is also a very welcome improvement over the old razor.

I will say that I did have a small amount of razor burn first time out, but no more than I would have had with any other product and I would say a bit less than with the old razor. I also like the fact that this came with a case, which will make it easier to pack when I head back overseas in a few weeks. On the whole, I'm happy with this purchase.

You can check out the product on Amazon and Julian Vue Website

The Clean Shave Executive Double Edge Safety Razor Review

The razor arrived in a nice package and my first impression of the razor was good. The razor is a nice solid weight with good balance and the included double-edge blades were extremely sharp. After putting the blade into the razor, I was ready for a nice smooth shave and had very high expectations based on other reviews.

However, I was not extremely impressed with the performance of the razor. The single blade is very sharp but did not shave as smooth as the simple Mach 3 disposables I typically use. Since the razor is solid construction, it doesn't follow the contours of your face very well and with the size of the head it makes trimming around a goatee a little more difficult. Also, I can't remember the last time I have nicked myself using other razors and after using this razor twice, I had 4 nicks on my neck. Needless to say, I will more than likely go back to my multi-blade flexible razors. With that being said, this was my first attempt at a single-blade safety razor, and it's quite possible I don't know the proper technique for the best shave with this razor. I'm a fan of simple and easy and unfortunately, I didn't find that to be the case when using this razor even though the quality of the razor and double-edge blades are very good. I received a discount on this product in exchange for my honest review.

THE GREATEST SHAVE EVER! Viking Blades has a new follower!!!

I got this finally yesterday. I got home from work, and immediately went to shaving. First off, I am NOT a product tester! The only thing stopping me from considering this item for the past couple weeks was that almost all reviews are from product testers. LAME... I saw the lifetime guarantee, so I saw I had nothing to lose, and ordered it...... DAMN!!!!!!!!! I love this item! I love the blades!!!! 

I used musgo real oak moss shaving cream with this, and I got the BEST shave of my life!!! The only gripe I have is that I cannot find the blades this came with anywhere online. The blades are beyond great! The only time I get a shave this good, is on Sundays when I bust out the dreadnought shavette and put straight steel to my throat. When I do have to do a blade change, it's gonna feel like I'm killing a unicorn. ...Sad Face... PLEASE SELL BLADES! I love the shave I got from this razor! It is a beautiful addition to my shaving arsenal!!! 

Please make a cut throat shavette, or a straight razor! I would use it!!! I will do an update on Saturday or sunday, with pictures. I wanna let my beard grow a little so I can enjoy the shave. My poor EJ89L razor is going to be put away for awhile. When I shaved with that, I felt like a rock star. When I shave with my Viking blade, I feel like a cross between the Fonz, Indiana Jones, Mac Gyver, and myself back when I was in Afghanistan kicking some serious anus. This Item is seriously for men only! If you are a skinny jean wearing sissy, please be aware that this product may put hair on your chest and make you want to do some pretty crazy manly things. I feel like going and bullying the toughest guy I can find! LOVE THIS PRODUCT!

Get The Product here: Amazon and Website

Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor - May work well for some

I have been using this razor exclusively for two years so understand it well. It is of quality construction and beautiful, and I don't doubt that it could last a lifetime.

This is my third safety razor, my other two being a Parker twist-to-open and a 1959 Gillette super speed. I had to ditch the parker because of poor quality, the blade sat in the holder at an angle which led to many bad cuts.

I can get a very good shave out of the Merkur 180, but have to put some effort to that end. This is a fairly aggressive razor, meaning that the guard sits a farther distance from the blade than a milder razor. This means that you can get a closer shave but run the risk of nicks if not careful. My Gillette super speed is by comparison much less aggressive. For the first several months getting used to the Merkur, I would sometimes get the cleanest most refreshing shave ever, and other times would get an awful shave with many cuts, bad razor burn and still feel rough. After weeks of experimenting with technique and going through different blades in my sampler pack I discovered the root cause of my problems were the posts that center the blade. They are too small and allow the blade to sit unevenly, so when you tighten down the handle, it has the potential to be clamped off-center. In this scenario, one side of the razor shaves nicely, the other cuts badly.

Since I learned this, I have taken care to align the blade carefully and have gotten more consistent shaves. For me, the Feather blades work best. Astra, Sharks, and Merkur blades also treat me well. I have noticed this razor is fairly unforgiving of less quality blades and can get many nicks off some brands, esp. Wilkinson Sword. Beard prep is also of utmost importance: take a HOT shower and wash and rinse well getting lots of hot water on beard to soften it. I use Nutragena cream shave (have tried a dozen brands and found the slipperiest works the best). I shave with the grain and do a light second pass against the grain, rinsing in between. I have a very coarse beard but sensitive skin, so have to be careful in my technique. I figured out how to make the razor work for me, but feel that it shouldn't be this finicky.

The reason for the three stars is only because the posts that center the blade don't center it. Really, its the most important function of a razor, to hold the blade squarely. It doesn't do its basic job.

A little while back, I acquired my grandfathers old Gillette super speed and was blown away by how much easier it was to get a close shave with no nicks. This is from a 54 year old razor. The reason it works better is it grips the blade perfectly evenly and has a less aggressive blade position. Blades that I passed off as rubbish before shave well on the super speed. It was this discovery that prompted me to write this review, that when you find the right razor for your face, you will instantly know it. Prior to a few weeks ago, I thought the Merkur was great but trying something new made me realize how much effort it took to get a good shave. I'm not faulting the Merkur for not being right for me, but for bad blade positioning.

Vikings Blade Safety Razor vs. Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor

Merkur is no new name to the world of shaving blades. As a matter of fact, they are known for their brand reputation and have been able to promote and grow several of their products over the years. Just like any old brands, Merkur has got dedicated customers who trust and give good ratings to their products.

Julian Vue is a newcomer into the world if shaving but has enjoyed remarkable recognition for its use of superior and quality materials for its products like the Vikings Blade. In just few years, the company has been able to infiltrate the market of several other top manufacturers. A leading product from the company is the Vikings Blade safety razor.

Heavy Duty

When you buy a double edge safety razor, the first thing to consider is how well it works. The Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor comes with a heavy duty operation mechanism. Its performance is not in doubt but its heavy duty performance may or may not be an advantage to some users. If you have delicate facial skin, you may find it a bit too much for you.

The Vikings Blade is yet another heavy duty double edge safety razor designed to give a smooth and clean shave. It comes with a micro-comb that prevents accidental cuts when shaving.

Appearance

The Merkur comes with chrome plating but on closer look, shows some tiny marks probably gotten from the machining process. This might not be something worthwhile if you're not much into the aesthetics. The Vikings Blade on the other hand, has well-polished chrome plating. It also comes with a butterfly head that allows for easy blade changes.

Size

This Merkur comes with a long handle and is suitable for people with large hands. The head and blade is similar to other conventional double edge razors. The Vikings Blade is heftier with a weight of 85g and a length of just 3.75".

Price

The Merkur due to its brand name and marketing budget is fairly expensive and you get no lifetime warranty. The Vikings Blade on the other hand is still cheaper when the blades and accessories are taken into consideration. Most importantly, Julian Vue at the Viking’s Blade manufacturer guarantees his razors will last you a lifetime or money back.

Conclusion

While Merkur has stood the test of time, the Vikings Blade is something to try out as a good replacement for any top known brands. It's cheap and gets you the same quality shave as the other top brands promises.

Viking Blade - Sharper, Smoother and Cheaper

I have been a Gillette user for a very long time. I really didn’t have much of an issue with them but it was just too expensive to maintain. For people like us in the military, shaving is almost second nature to us. If you know how much those Gillette blades cost, then you do the math for someone like me that shaves every day. So that pretty much caused me to start researching on double edge blades with same quality as the Gillette. I can’t even remember where or when I first heard of the Viking blade. With much doubt in mind, I finally purchased it.

First thing that caught my attention was the 5 blades that came along with it. Then I gradually observed it gave clean, smooth shaves. Not only did I end up with a double edge razor that has cheaper blades, the product itself is very affordable. Just like one of my previous Gillette, I never have to worry about cuts and bumps. For me, the Viking blade was a win-win situation for me. 

You can check out it here: 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011L8WJIA
And 

www.julianvue.com

The viking blade safety razor review

This is my first time ever using a DE razor and all I can say is WOW! After using a Norelco wet/dry and doing everything possible to avoid ingrown hairs, I still managed to get THREE of them during the same shave last week. I had enough of this! So, after doing a lot of research, I saw a lot of information saying that a DE razor can really make a difference and reduce or eliminate ingrown hairs and irritation.

I got the Viking and was afraid yet excited to use it. I watched several Youtube video tutorials on how to use a DE razor (Geofatboy on Youtube was a goldmine of info for DE shaving!). I lathered up with Alpha Shave Gel (it doesn't really rather, but you get the idea, lol) and got started. I was SHOCKED at how much hair came off of my face, especially since I just shaved two days earlier. Evey rinse under the sink was full of black hairs. This is the CLOSEST shave I've ever had in my life. I've used Mach 3, Mach 4, Firefox, Stealth Shaver, blah blah blah- all those EXPEN$IVE vibrating gimmicks, gels, etc. Anyway, I am NEVER going back to those money making scam shaving tools!

The handle fits nicely in my hand and the comb really does protect against nicks and cuts. I did not have a single ingrown hair and only minor irritation! Keep in mind, this was my FIRST time using one of these and there is definitely a learning curve with DE razors.

My next move is to get a sample blade pack to try different blades. I can't believe how inexpensive blades are! I found a site "Maggards" that has an outstanding variety pack that gives you 5 blades of each brand that really gives your face a chance to "try before you buy". I have read so many reviews where people say they chose "Feathers" or "Astra SP" or "Shark" etc. It seems that there is no perfect blade for everybody. One thing is for sure: 50 blades will easily last you a year.

About me: White, course beard, sensitive skin (prone to ingrown hairs). I shave every other day but could definitely see me shaving M-F b/c this DE shaving is a total game changer!

Note: My GF couldn't believe how smooth my face was (with one pass, even!). She kept rubbing her hands on my face when she got home from work, haha.

You will be glad you bought this!

Buy it here: 

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B011L8WJIA
Or
http://www.julianvue.com