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

When I realized how much money you save using a safety razor and how you can get a just as good or better shave from a safety razor than a multiblade cartridge razor, I decided to switch. I wanted a safety razor that had a butterfly opening for the blade and was adjustable. This one had a great price. After I ordered it, I looked at the negative reviews where people showed pictures of receiving defective razors with scratches on the shaving head. I almost cancelled the order, but I realized it was a tiny percentage of those who reviewed the razors and most of the reviews were excellent, so I figured I'd see what I get and could always send it back. The razor came in perfect condition without any scratches on it. I got the frosted chrome version, and it looks and feels beautiful. It seems to be extremely well made. It has a nice weight and feels like a premium metal product, especially after using plastic cartridge and disposable razors. And shaving with a safety razor isn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. At first it requires being just a little more careful than when using a cartridge razor, but that is because you have more control over the razor. The first time you use it start with the least aggressive setting. Pay attention to the angle and feel of the blade, and shave in short strokes. Don't press the blade to your face. And I didn't go all out with special creams and soaps. I used regular shaving cream from a can, and it worked fine. I like that the razor is adjustable and the shaving head has two different sides, so you can really fine-tune the shave. And I had no problem with the open tabs. I didn't really notice them. Also, it was a pleasant surprise to get a pack of five blades with the razor.

The Crusader Adjustable Safety Razor by Vikings Blade takes the traditional wet shave to the next level! This is definitely jumping into the deep end of the pool! So make sure you’ve earned your “Traditional Wet Shaving Bona Fides” before dipping your toe in. The Crusader has two unique qualities that make it a cut above all other adjustable razors. First, it has a weight, heft and balance I’ve not seen in other adjustable razors. Even the Merkur Futur is a lightweight compared to the Crusader. The Crusader is the superior razor. Unlike the Futur, the Crusader has maintained the traditional safety razor look and feel. I like that. A lot! Second, the razor head is asymmetrical. Each side gives a different shave. The sculpted comb is a bit more aggressive, while the straight comb is a bit milder. The assymmetrical razor head is a marvelous feature! If you find the sculpted comb works fine on the cheek but, perhaps, may be too aggressive for the neck, simply flip to the straight comb and you get a more mild approach. No need to stop the shave (during a pass) to adjust the settings! I used this method right off the bat and found it to be quite natural and effective. The razor head is also a bit more compact than that on the Vikings Blade Chieftain. Whereas, the Chieftain fully encloses the end tabs of the razor blade, the Crusader leaves these tabs exposed to increase overall maneuverability. The Crusader is VERY maneuverable! And, while I appreciate (and like) having the blade end tabs enclosed within the razor head, I have many new and vintage razors that opt for the exposed end tab design. It’s something that is familiar to me and certainly not a dealbreaker. I understand the reasons for the change. A good decision by Vikings Blade for this razor, in my humble opinion. The adjustment collar does not have a numbering system. Other adjustable razors number the adjustment collar 1-6, etc. So, I was a bit thrown when I saw the absence of numbers. However, I’ve come to understand that, even though an adjustable razor has numbers, I’m really only turning the adjustment knob ⅛ or ¼ from number to number in order to open or close the blade gap and vary the aggressiveness of the razor and shave. When using an adjustable razor that has numbers on the adjustment collar, I set each shaving pass to a specific number. So, for example, my first pass would be 5, my second would be 3, and the third would be 1.5. However, if I set the adjustable razor aside (to shave with another razor in my collection) and come back to it a week or two later, I’ve now forgotten my numbered shave settings. Was my first pass set at 5 or 6? Was the second pass 3.5 or 4? Additionally, the shave will change a bit when a different blade is used. So, using the same numbered routine will not yield the same result as the previous shave. Different blade, different shave. With the numbers removed, I simply turn the collar ¼ or ½ or ⅛, etc. to a level that feels right for the shave. (From full open, first pass, turn the collar ⅛, shave. Second pass, turn the collar ⅛, shave. Third pass, turn the collar ½, shave). And it’s easier to remember this method, than trying to remember a number pattern. Not having numbers frees up the shave. I’m more inclined to try new settings because I’m now focused on the shave and not a number. The adjustment collar is smooth and continuous. The combinations of mild to aggressive shaves are limitless! And there’s no fear of overdoing it. With the asymmetrical razor head, I can take more control of my shave. Again, if the setting is too aggressive, I simply flip the head to the straight comb side for bit milder pass. It’s very much like having a two-stage adjustable razor. Wonderfully, I have yet to have a shave with the Crusader that has been too aggressive or resulted in any irritation. This includes having the razor set at it’s very widest blade gap, full open. The Crusader gives me the smoothest most comfortable and close shave of any razor I own. I’m rather shocked by this discovery, but also delighted. I thought the Vikings Blade Chieftain Safety Razor would never be surpassed. Only the folks at Vikings Blade could manufacture a razor to surpass their best selling Chieftain! The Crusader is the new favorite in my shaving den! A viewer on my YouTube channel, asked, “If you had to pick one razor of yours, which you will have to use for the rest of your life...,which one would you choose?” I deferred my answer thinking this would be a good opportunity to explain my pick in a video. Well, I now have my answer. The Crusader is the razor I would pick, hands down! Great weight and balance, precisely engineered and manufactured from premium materials, the Crusader is solidly built and a solid performer that will easily last a lifetime! Yes, The Crusader is meant for advanced wet shavers. However, my advice is this: buy the Chieftain AND the Crusader. The Chieftain is the perfect razor with which to learn how to do the traditional wet shave. After several months (or a year) of understanding the process (mastering the correct shaving technique, and learning about proper preparation, lathering, etc.), you can then graduate to the Crusader. And since you’ll already own the Crusader, it’ll be in the wings ready to go. The Crusader and the Chieftain are, quite possibly, the only two razors you will ever need!

I started wet shaving around Christmas 2008. I've had this razor, in The Ragnar finish (black and antique brass), for 2 years. I upgraded from their Chieftain model. This is not quite what I would start my son with as it's not for beginners, but if you're an intermediate to advanced/experienced wet shaver, this will definitely carry you far. Main complaints, 1, finish on both razors I've owned left a little to be desired. Both razors had very small blisters on one of the bars. 2, the butterflies tend to hang up when closing. In order to get it to close properly, I need to apply pressure to both butterflies while twisting the base of the handle in order to get the razor to close. It's been like that from the beginning. It's the only razor I've ever had that did this. As a razor, it's good. The weight is something I like, which is good, cause there's a lot of it. I honestly feel like heavier razors give you better control. The long handle gives you a lot of flexibility in grip. Also, the heavier heads hold the heat from hot water a lot better. Be careful of how hot your water is, you can burn yourself. It has a smooth finish which, when combined with a good shave soap, glides smoothly across the skin with ONLY the weight of the razor. The adjustment for the blade gap also gives you a great deal of flexibility in how gentle or aggressive your shave experience is. The ring and handle are numbered and marked, but it's kind of hard to see if you don't have bright light. To be fair, in these types of razors, the blade is everything. Dull and poor quality blades will absolutely wreck your skin and give you a horrible experience. They pull, , they drag, they nick, they bite and cut you, require more effort and passes to get a good close shave, and give you razor burn. Good quality blades have a better finish on the edge, many may be confort coated to enhance how the blade glides on the skin, they offer a shave which requires less effort and cuts the hair instead of pulling it, and they just tend to glide better. Also, if you are new to wet shaving, the soap also has an impact on your experience. Good quality brushes are softer on the skin, and give you a more luxurious lather.

No doubt there is plenty of marketing hype-Australian owned, Chinese manufactured and marketed from the USA. Also it is expensive. However as a retiree I have the time and inclination to indulge in wet shaving. Let me tell you "The Vikings Blade Crusader is well crafted, has heft and superb balance. The shave is very smooth and if done properly does not leave any razor burn.Much of the credit goes to the Japanese blades that I use. I prefer it to the Gillette Fusion which I have been using until now. ***Three years later/It looks better in real life then in the photos above. Even after three years of daily shaving it looks brand new. I prefer the butterfly design over all others.

Traş olması zevkli bir alet Keskin jiletiniz varsa her şey harika Yalnız biraz ağır ve sapı kalın haberiniz olsun.

Highly recommend this product .

The FIRST thing to consider while using this item is that, you should not be in a hurry to do that 2 minute shave, splash and leave for the day. For that - use a Philishave. Relax. Organize your blades, shaving brush, shave cream, warm water, antiseptic solution, etc. Let the first brush strokes wet the stubble first. It will loosen the skin and make the hair soft. After a rich lather up, use a medium setting of 4-5 and gently let the weight of the razor fall on the skin and with a good blade (I use 7 o'clock super platinum) with a few repeated strokes, the results are bound to be excellent. Again, one should not hurry. The habit of taking a long swipe with the cartridge razor from top to bottom of the face will not work for swivel butterfly systems, and this piece is genuinely a master of its art. I refrained from writing a review till I had used it for about a month at least, and with this experience I can say that it does take some time to get used to. First of all - as with automatic watches and fountain pens, this is a vintage product. I repeat, one should not hurry. Relax and enjoy the leisurely comfort (almost an indulgence) of A-1 grade shaving. I have another Viking Emperor - the MEIJI edition (Vintage Bronze and Raven Black) and I use it in another city where I have a parallel establishment. Both these products need to be handled with care and due diligence - much like a coveted TAG or the Seamaster Professional.....so it is, with these razors. Welcome to elegant shaving - I am thoroughly satisfied, and will use due discretion to decide, whom, among my friends and relatives, should I gift these items to, when I purchase again. And yes, surely I will.... Thank you!!

One of my favorite razors... Simply amazing feeling especially with Astra blade.