VIKINGS BLADE Double Edge Razor

In my review, I will review the Chieftain Odin Limited Edition razor and give some insight into shaving with a double-edge safety razor, in addition to recommending some supplemental shaving items for a perfect shaving experience. First, let me begin by discussing my shaving background to serve as a basis for comparison for anyone reading my review. Since my teenage years (I am now 30), I have shaved with various brands of disposable multi-blade cartridge razors and canned shaving cream. Sure, they did the job, but every time I shaved I was invariably left with an embarrassingly chopped up, bleeding, burning, irritated neck with little red bumps everywhere. In turn, I avoided shaving like the plague, reaching for my razor only once a week because, come on, who feels like dealing with that? Let’s admit it: shaving was merely a chore. The saddest part, though, is that I thought this was just how shaving was supposed to be; I didn’t know I had choices. I didn’t know shaving could be... fun. If my story even remotely resembles yours, then fear not, my friend, and read on! Vikings Blade is here! So which razor should you go with? Of the two models offered, I decided to purchase the Chieftain Odin Limited Edition model after much back-and-forth between the shorter handle of the Chieftain and the longer handle of the Vulcan. I’m sure the Vulcan is a fine razor too, but I love my choice in the Chieftain. The handle, I feel, is just enough; more handle would be unnecessary. Yet the shorter handle of the Chieftain doesn’t sacrifice the balanced weight that you want when shaving with a double-edge safety razor, or make it harder to hold. Besides having ideal weight and balance, the Chieftain razor is sturdy and has a great feel to it. The handle’s texture makes the razor comfortable to use and keeps it from slipping from your wet hand. The razor uses a butterfly design, so you twist a knob at the bottom of the razor and the top opens up like butterfly wings for you to then set a double-edged blade inside and close it back up. It’s that simple, every time. The design works well, and it makes for easy cleanup afterwards too. I also love the rose-gold and black finish of the limited edition Odin razor. It’s elegant yet manly, and it stands out as both a functional razor and a nice display piece in the bathroom. By just holding and looking at this razor, you can tell it’s well-made and will hold up over time. So does it really work? Absolutely. But a word of caution: with practice comes perfection! You will need to be patient to get used to this razor if you are transitioning from grocery store cartridge razors as I did. Those disposable razors — whose advertisements might as well falsely say, “The more blades, the merrier!” — are so prone to hacking up your neck because your skin isn’t meant to withstand multiple passes of three, four, and five blades simultaneously, over and over again. The Chieftain double-edge safety razor, on the other hand, uses a single blade to give you more control and let YOU decide on the number of passes, which in most cases will probably be only one or two before you achieve the close shave you want. Keep in mind, though, that you’re dealing with a sharp blade here — sharper than disposables, and the razor head does not pivot and follow your contours like the disposables do — so you must take your time and go slow! Rather than using long, swift passes over your face and neck, you need to use short, delicate passes, letting the weight of the razor do the bulk of the work. If you press too hard, then you will most likely nick your skin. Even if you do, though, it still wanes in comparison to the bloody mess that cartridge razors cause. I have a beard, and the first time I used this razor, I had trouble judging where the razor was cutting because, again, it’s just different than the disposables, so I cut off a little more of my beard line than I wanted to. The moral of the story? Just remember to go slow and take your time, and you’ll be fine. Let’s talk blades. Double-edge safety blades are disposable because they become dull fairly quickly over time — most people toss them after four or five uses — so you’ll eventually have to buy more once the included Vikings Blade blades run out. Speaking of which, probably the only negative thing I could say about the Vikings Blade razors are that their included replacement blades suck pretty bad. The first few times I shaved with my Chieftain using their blades, I wondered why I still got some nicks and irritation. Well, it turns out their replacement blades are beginner blades and aren’t as sharp as a double-edge blade could be. It even says right on the blades’ packaging that they are mild beginner blades. Well, they mean it when they say this. I have since purchased the Astra Platinum pack of 100 blades for $10, and the first time using them I had no nicks or irritation. Therefore, the blade matters just as much as the razor does; you just have to find the proper razor/blade combo for your skin and hair type. I suppose my beard hair is a little on the coarser side, so a sharper blade was what I needed to avoid pulling the hair and consequently causing irritation. My advice is to try the included Vikings Blade blades the first time or two that you use the razor, but I have a feeling you’ll quickly be buying different blades as I did. Next, let’s talk about everything else you may want to get for the ultimate shaving experience. Besides a good razor such as the Chieftain or Vulcan, you’re at least going to need a good shaving cream to get a smooth, nick-free, irritation-free shave. Still using canned shaving cream? Then go get it right now, walk over to the nearest trash can, throw it away, and don’t look back. Seriously. That stuff is garbage compared to the real deal. I now use Taylor of Old Bond Street sandalwood shaving cream, and it is amazing, from the nice masculine (but not overpowering) scent to the thick lather that it creates. I imagine it’s what an old-time barber shop would smell like. Although optional of course, you may also want to invest in a high-quality badger brush to help make the lather and spread it on your face, and a stainless steel shaving bowl in which to make the lather. They all work well together in combination: you use the wet brush to gather some shaving cream and swirl the brush around in the bowl to create the lather. The shaving bowl will also give you a place from which to retrieve lather with the brush while shaving if you need more later; it will already be made and waiting for you. I actually leave the brush in the bowl while shaving so it’s within easy reach. For both the brush and bowl, I went Vikings Blade brand, and I also got the nice Vikings Blade brush/razor stand to go with it. All of these things are on the pricey side, but you’re paying for quality and longevity here. You may also want to invest in a pre-shave oil and after-shave balm. While these aren’t necessarily required, I highly recommend giving them a try. The pre-shave oil goes on before the shaving cream and gives your skin a nice base to keep it conditioned and further minimize nicks and irritation. The after-shave balm obviously goes on after you are finished shaving and all cleaned up, and that helps moisturize and soothe your skin after taking a blade to it. I especially love the after-shave balm because in the rare instance that I do nick myself or have slight irritation, the balm soothes my skin right away and stops the bleeding. It’s pretty much magic. I went with Lather & Wood Shaving Co. for both of these items. The after-shave balm has an amazing sandalwood scent that lingers after use and has a similar smell to the Taylor shaving cream, so they complement each other nicely. The bottles may look small, but a little goes a long way. I’ll end my review with this: Shaving was always a chore. I dreaded it. I dreaded the pain my skin would endure when I was done. I dreaded the unsightly red bumps on my neck that would last a couple days. I hurried through the shaving process just to get it over with. But now, thanks to the Chieftain razor and the other great shaving items I mentioned, I love shaving and even enjoy the process. It’s become a manly ritual for me that I actually look forward to every four or five days. It’s an experience I never thought I’d have. If you think I’m being dramatic, so did I when I first read so many shining reviews on double-edge safety razors. But I’m telling you, get away from disposable cartridge shaving and give the double-edge safety razor a try. The Chieftain won’t let you down. Will it take a little adjusting and time to get used to, to get the most out of your razor? Of course it will. But you’ll thank yourself later, and so will your face.