[Updated August, 2023] Vikings Blade offers their Emperor “Meiji Edition” adjustable double edge safety razor. Since they know I like adjustable razors they sent me one to try.
Vikings Blade Emperor “Meiji Edition” Adjustable Razor
Vikings Blade has a rather brief sales copy of this razor on their website:
“An ultra heavy short-handled adjustable safety razor
The All-in-One razor: Adjustable dual head, fat & heavy
Brass construction, hefty (124g) and short (95mm)”
The Meiji page on Amazon, Vikings’ primary sales outlet, has more detail [Ed. note: Amazon links are Sharpologist affiliate] :
- Content: 1x Safety razor handle + Carry case. NOTE: No blade provided as blade suitability is subjective and personal. Please buy your double edge blades separately and see which brand suits your hair/skin the best
- NOTE: For aesthetic reasons, razors made in 2020 had 2 symmetrical burrs in the head to create a bowing blade appearance. It was sometimes misunderstood and we have since restored the traditional straight blade look.
- ALL-IN-ONE: Adjustable from extra mild to ultra aggressive, HEFTY Short handle (3.75″) with a rattling end-tip to drain trapped water. A straight bar for sensitive areas & a scalloped bar for normal areas. Thus, suitable for ALL Hair & Skin types and ALL GENDERS
- Adjustable dual head with multiple aggression micro-settings, suitable for both normal and sensitive skin. Durable (Brass) Hefty (124g), Short (95mm)”
My Experience With Vikings Blade Meiji Adjustable Razor
This razor is essentially the Vikings Blade Emperor Augustus razor head on a different handle. I’m told the new “Raven Black” coating is harder and more durable than the coating on earlier Emperor Augustus razors. All new Augustus razors are coated in Raven Black.
The razor is presented in a nice case and feels solid, hefty, and well-balanced, even with the shorter handle. The action of the TTO mechanism and the adjustment dial are good. Although the Meiji razor is 10 grams lighter than the Emperor Augustus it “feels” heavier in my hand, no doubt because of the different center of gravity the Meiji has due to the shorter handle (95mm for the Meiji vs. 110mm for the Augustus). Here they are side-by-side:
Despite the shorter handle I find the Meiji easy to hold and I haven’t had any slippage problems.
Like the Augustus, the Meiji features a “dual comb” head design with a solid bar on one side and a scalloped bar on the other. Since the Meiji uses the same head as the Augustus it “feels” the same: for me the smooth safety bar gives me a more comfortable-feeling shave with less blade feel, while I get noticeably more blade feel using the scalloped side, given the same adjustment setting. I can’t tell any actual difference in the amount of stubble reduction from either side–it’s more of a feedback kind of thing for me. The shaving angle “sweet spot” is easy for me to find.
Like most other adjustable razors the adjustment settings are painted on (vs. etched in the metal): only time will tell if there may be a problem with fading. The adjustment “window” on the Meiji is similar to the Augustus. It should be suitable for everyone except those who want either a very mild or a very aggressive shave. Personally, I prefer “mild” razors and I get excellent results using the 2-2.5 range with the Meiji.
Conclusion
The Vikings Blade Emperor “Meiji” Edition is essentially a short-handled variant of the Vikings Blade Emperor Augustus razor. So there are now three versions: the “Frosted Chrome” version, the Augustus version, and now the Meiji version. The Augustus and Meiji razors are the same price; the Frosted Chrome version slightly less. I find these razors well-built and flexible enough for all but the fussiest shavers. I give this razor a 4 out of 5 rating.
Do you have one of the Vikings Blade adjustable razors? What do you think of it? Leave a comment!
I just got one of these and had my first shave yesterday. I see from their promotional materials that they intended for the blade edges to curve downward; on my razor, though, the curving is pretty extreme, and it is not symmetric. Worse on the “scalloped” side and worse on the left than the right (when looking at the scalloped side). I would think if this were a design feature they should have at least tried to make it minor and symmetric. Also, the amount of bend varies a lot from setting to setting, reaching its maximum at about setting 5.
My first shave gave a lot more blade feel than I was expecting, even at lower settings; I feel like this is probably because of the blade bending situation. Anybody else have this asymmetry or have a problem with the shave being overly harsh, even on lower settings?
I now own a Meiji addition razor not a problem with buring on doors. I really don’t see the problem your speaking of. Mine works GREAT! All I have to do is blade in adjust, shave, done!! It’s a really well made razor. Love it so much would buy for family, friends. Thanks Vikings Blades. Quality RAZOR!!
I have been at this wet shaving thing now for almost five years. In that time I have accumulated over 80 DE razors (vintage and modern) among them 8 adjustables, 6 straight razors and an ungodly amount of razor blades, soaps, aftershaves, colognes, balms, brushes etc. I have always had two goals in shaving: a close and comfortable shave. This razor delivers on both of those at a relatively low price.
My impressions: Ideal handle length for me; not too long, not too short. Great weight and balance. Personally, I prefer a razor with some balls. Very grippy. The adjustment dial allows an almost infinite amount of blade gap control even though it is marked from 1-9. I have a medium coarse beard and I had 3 days of beard growth for this shave. I did two passes and started out on setting 5 and used both the scalloped and smooth sides. Slightly more blade feel with the scalloped side. I used a Personna Red blade (second use). Dialed it down to 2.5 for pass #2 which was just about right. Maybe next time setting 2. I tend to prefer mild to mid-aggressive razors and the Meiji was right in my preferred comfort zone. I can see myself using this razor even more often than my Rex Ambassador which I cannot go higher than setting 3 without turning my bathroom into a scene of an ax murder. And it’s a beauty to behold, classy, manly, feels great in the hand. Rinses easily. I would put this razor on par with ANY of my higher priced modern stainless steel adjustables or other DE’s that are typically priced between $200-$300.
For me this razor checks all the boxes I look for in an adjustable razor so I’m giving it 5 stars. And believe me, I DO NOT believe in over-hyping anything new in this market.
I concur. The Crusader is a beast fit for those who have a thirst for blood. Even on the mildest setting I expect to see a blood mobile parked outside my bath awaiting a fresh donation. One of these milder models may be in my future.
Let fall I purchased a Vikings Blade Chieftain razor, and it quickly became (one of) my very favorite razors. I am intrigued by the name of this new Vikings Blade adjustable razor: “Meiji”. Where does it come from? How is it pronounced? Mee-jee? My-jee? My-hee?
The Japanese emperor Meiji of the late 19th century is my guess. He pulled power away from the regional warlords Daimyos (dime-yohz) and centralized it. The Meiji regime (May-jzhee) is the primary reason for the rapid modernization of Japan.
This is a very over simplified version. I hope it helps.
Thank you. Although I know a fair amount of European and American history, I know next to nothing about Japanese history.
Paulus D
Solid review. I went ahead and ordered it through Amazon. At least two reviewers complained about the blade curving when completely seated. Made me wonder if they read about that not being a QC issue. It arrives tomorrow. I’ll let you know my impressions.
Thanks Mark
Yes, please come back and comment after you’ve used it for a while.
The slight curving is part of the Meiji mold as per the Amazon description. Most people (which I am guilty of) buy stuff off Amazon without barely reading any of the descriptions. Those reviewers did not even mention how their razor shaved so I doubt they actually gave it a fair go.
Looks like a great razor. How does it compare with the Viking Crusader, adjustable?
Thanks,
Paul
I like the Meiji (and Augustus) better than the Crusader. The Crusader’s adjustment window is biased too high for my preference and there aren’t any numeric markings on the dial so it’s more difficult to replicate the setting you find works best.
Thank you for the informative review. I just put it on my wishlist.
I agree this is a very attractive looking razor and gives awesome shaves! I like the Meiji so much, that now I ordered the Augustus. Hopefully, I’ll like that one as much. I really recommend this razor!
That is definitely a sharp looking razor. Price is not bad on it either for a brass razor. I’ll be looking forward to more reviews coming in on this thing.
Handsome
It is; pictures don’t do it justice.
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