Reddit reviews VIKINGS BLADE The Chieftain Double Edge Safety Razor (Neutrally Aggressive)

May 3, 2018 - Yesterday's SOTE - Newb Gear

Prep: TOBS Pre-Shave Oil
Brush: Crabtree & Evelyn Best Badger by Edwin Jagger
Razor: Baili BR171
Blade: Astra SP
Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Mountain Man - Soap
Post Shave: Art of Shaving Lavender Aftershave Balm


This shave takes me way back. It's not really a surprise that I never enjoyed shaving enough to do it regularly. I bought the pre-shave oil a couple years ago on Amazon when I first "got serious" about shaving. Within months I had discovered Reddit and put it aside never to be used again. This is my first ever brush; I can't remember quite when I got it but I date it about 10-15 years old. I haven't used it since I discovered wet shaving artisans, and it was losing hairs left and right just from fluffing the hair and then a good bit more in the act of loading it. Does this look like it'd feel that great on your face? Spoiler Alert: it doesn't. Face lathered away anyway but this brush couldn't possibly be any more pathetic - I guesstimate the knot at probably 18-20mm and not even dense. Stirling probably doesn't belong in this whole setup, but you can't argue it's newbness, especially because of a certain newbcentric subreddit. For the razor, it's pretty much a Viking or something you could find at Barnes & Noble. There you have it. My wife is due to be induced later this morning and I spent my last shave before becoming a dad on this gear. Thank you very much r/wetshaving.

Actually nah, did just one pass last night and going to repeat this shave before heading to the hospital.

Depends on the kit. Let's take a at the kit your considering and compare it to Amazon.

The razor is a Baili BD170. Italian Barber sells it as the "RazoRock Quick Change" for US$7. On Amazon, it's sold as the "Vikings Blade Chieftain" for US$37. From Italian Barber, the "Disruptor" brush (with its new faux horn handle) is $10; on Amazon it was $14 back when it was available. So if you just buy a random razor and brush from Amazon or eBay, you'll probably pay way too much. (But hey - free shipping!)

Another problem with eBay and Amazon is that a lot of the gear is of questionable quality. Yes, there's good-quality stuff available for fair prices on both websites, but the vast majority of what you're looking at is overpriced crap. So long as you know exactly what you're looking for and exactly how much it should cost, you can do fine. Otherwise, finding good gear for a fair price on Amazon is like buying a winning lottery ticket. And most of the good values are in the mid to upper price range.

Also, Shoppers Drug Mart is notorious for pricing blades at 10x what they should cost. Just sayin'...

TL;DR - Get a starter kit from a reputable vendor. I'm a huge fan of the Maggard basic kit. Everything in it is top quality, the customer service is second to none, and the price is right.

I can only recommend what I have-

Item | link
---|---
The Chieftain | link
Badger Hair Brush | link
shaving soap | link
stand | link
blades | link
total | $70.65, not including shipping (but with prime... :D)

It's pretty modest, but if you consider 52 blades that are of the "normal" variety, it can be cheaper in the long run. I still have a bunch of blades left over, so don't think that those 100 astra blades are all the way used up.

Wow thanks for the advice. I will take a look when k get the chance later tonight.

I bought this razor, because I can return it if I didn't like it:

VIKINGS BLADE Double Edge Safety Razor + 5 Swedish Platinum Super Blades, Heavy Duty, 100% Pure Raw Manliness https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011L8WJIA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_2T8NwbJBS4D77

So far I have liked my first shave with it, I just have to practice on shaving my neck. My wife loves how smooth my face feels when compared to my Gillette Mach 3s.

There’s also at least one Viking company selling re-branded razors with inappropriate mark-ups.

Here’s an example but I don’t think Aus is their only company:

https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Chieftain-Safety-Swedish-Platinum/dp/B011L8WJIA

First, thanks for coming to us... I know it's probably embarrassing to have facial hair and not know how to shave and/or to cut your face up all the time because of it. It's happened to everyone and there is nothing to feel bad about.

I personally use a safety-razor, something like this https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Chieftain-Safety-Swedish-Platinum/dp/B011L8WJIA/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1494511959&sr=1-4&keywords=safety+razor


It's easy to learn, plus lots of videos online (the way to do it closely matches the ways you have been described here). Over your lifetime you will save so much money not buying razor cartridges and furthermore if you take care of your razor and get something high quality it's something you can pass down to YOUR child if that's something you are interested in.

>Headbands and bandanas are amazing if you want to look like a basketball player or Axl Rose.

Cool? That's your opinion, just like my opinion is that a top-knot makes you look silly. I'll take both of those over the latter.

>Also, you said dozens of different ways. I only see 7 things linked here with a few duplicates.

Lmao. That's what you want to nitpick about? The goal is keeping hair out of your eyes, not fancy hairstyles:

http://f.tqn.com/y/menshair/1/S/2/1/-/-/bald5.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/Sexy-Hair-Control-Maniac-Shine/dp/B00GYGKQTY/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1499281267&sr=8-2&keywords=hair+control

https://www.amazon.com/xtava-Pinup-Hair-Clips-Professional/dp/B01LXCL45M/ref=sr_1_11_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1499281288&sr=1-11&keywords=hair+clips

https://www.amazon.com/Soft-Style-Butterfly-Clamps-Assorted/dp/B000X20Y4C/ref=sr_1_8_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1499281288&sr=1-8&keywords=hair+clips

https://www.amazon.com/Toboggan-Timeless-Clothing-Accessories-Top/dp/B01LZ27V22/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499281462&sr=8-1&keywords=beanie

https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Chieftain-Safety-Swedish-Platinum/dp/B011L8WJIA/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1499281551&sr=1-4&keywords=razor

https://www.amazon.com/Westcott-Titanium-Scissors-Straight-Handle-13901/dp/B000P0LNRE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499281558&sr=8-3&keywords=scissors

The "new" version of the Dorco Prime is also sold on Amazon under names like "Vikings Blade Razor." I believe the Men's Essentials "ME1" razor is also the same razor.

I think he means something more like this. The razor blades are cheap but it takes a little adjustment period. Overall a much cleaner shave but takes a little longer in the morning for me. You can change the blade every two weeks and get a great shave for cheaper than paying for any of those other products. r/wicked_edge has a lot more info for beginners if that interests you

Shaving Cream: Taylor of Old Bond https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Old-Bond-Street-Sandalwood/dp/B0007MW2ZW

Razor: Viking Chieftain Safety Razor https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Chieftain-Safety-Swedish-Platinum/dp/B011L8WJIA?th=1

Routine: Shower with hot water > don't dry face > lather cream with brush in bowl > lather on face > shave > wash face > apply aftershave lotion

The handle I find isn't as important as the blades. I bought two different ones:

Vikings Blade for $38, which is actually my favorite but I gave to wife: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B011L8WJIA/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

​

And then I use this one that was about $20 it definitely gets the job done: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LRQAN3Y/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

I've only used Astra SP blades and like them enough so I don't experiment with all the different types of blades out there. 100 blades for $8 right now on Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QY8QXM/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I ordered mine off of Amazon... you can check there to see if they offer international shipping.

Cool. What say you about this Vikings brand on Amazon?

Just started understanding what TTO means, and now that I see you can just twist open the top (versus unscrewing the whole thing), I think I'm sort of keen on a TTO model.

http://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Double-Swedish-Platinum-Manliness/dp/B011L8WJIA/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1457283599&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=safety+razor&psc=1

Looks like the old SuperSpeeds were also TTO? Is that what made them so speedy?

It's a Baili, same as the Razorock Quick Change. Reviews of it are glowing compared to the visually similar but far junkier Weishi. Post a review when you get it. That's a heck of a deal on a kit.

Edit: Also the same as the "Vikings Chieftain". You can get nearly two whole kits for the price of a single Chieftain. Marketing! It's amazing.

Would this be a good option for beginners? VIKINGS BLADE The Chieftain Safety Razor + 5 Swedish Platinum Super Blades + Travel Case https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011L8WJIA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vPDhzbS29RN5M

Not sure why things are marked up, but at least SOME things definitely are. Here's one example. Relatively new to DE and wanted to build out a travel kit. Looked for a relatively inexpensive yet shaveworthy razor. Bought one for $33 on Amazon primarily because of tons of rave reviews and virtually no negatives. Later found the same razor available in a starter kit from Dorco for $25. Still later found the same razor on eBay for $8. :( EDIT: looks like they are $10 now.

In the final analysis, I paid $25 for 5 very cheap unmarked "Swedish" blades.

https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Chieftain-Swedish-Platinum-Manliness/dp/B011L8WJIA/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1473101562&sr=8-2&keywords=the+vikings+blade

http://www.dorcousa.com/dorco-prime-starter-set/

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-Blade-1-Razor-Safety-Razor-Chrome-Alloy-With-Packing-Sliver-Manual-Shaving-/191848949149?hash=item2cab16a59d:g:~oAAAOSw1DtXEF~2