Vikingsblade The Emperor Adjustable Safety Razor, MEIJI Edition

I received my new Vikingsblade The Emperor Meiji version this morning.  It is the short handled version of their Emperor Augustus, although its coating is Vintage Bronze and Raven Black.  The new short handled version is 95mm in length, or about 3.75 inches.  IMO, it is a looker.  This is a brand new listing on Amazon and there isn't a lot of information yet.  In fact, it is not even listed on the Vikingsblade website.  In a PM with a Vikingsblade representative, he stated it is just like the Augustus but with a shorter, more textured handle for a better grip.  It has a red ring toward the bottom of the handle, and he stated it has a harder coating than the Augustus.  It is also still a fairly heavy razor, although I am not sure the listed weight is correct since the handle has been shortened by about 15mm and yet the weight is still listed at 134g.  Since I am not a very good photographer, I would suggest going to Amazon and querying for Vikingsblade Emperor Meiji razor and there are quite a few good photos.

So how does it shave?.  I had a close, comfortable first shave with it on 3 days of growth.  I won't be able to give a definitive opinion on the razor until I have had a few more shaves, but I can tell it is definitely a keeper for me.  And I am usually not enthusiastic about heavy razors.  I had been waiting quite some time for this short-handled version, and for me the wait was definitely worth it.

eric.

I picked one up, but it was defective so I returned it. Never shaved with it, and just wasn't impressed enough to replace. I'm looking forward to hearing your impressions. It's a heavy razor and I loved the look. But, on mine the blade guard was crooked. Also, there was something weird going on with the tension spring (maybe it wasn't strong enough?). Also, when I adjusted the blade gap knob it would cause the head to separate slightly from the handle, creating an increased gap between the head, knob, and handle. This was addressed in a little piece of paper with the packaging saying if this happens to squeeze the top and bottom of the razor together, which fixed the issue. I don't know. It felt like poor design.

Like I said, I never shaved with it and can't comment on the shave. Hopefully you're experience is better than mine. Can't wait to hear.

To clarify, I had the Augustus, so maybe they've addressed in this new razor.

Sent from my 2PZC5 using Tapatalk

I own the emperor which I very much like as an adjustable. But now it hardly hits my rotations with the Rockwell, aristocrat and game changer.
I also own a Rex which is at the bottom of my list, even below the emperor. Lovely razor, but it gives me average to poor shaves.


Greetings from Santa Rosa, CA

I own the emperor which I very much like as an adjustable. But now it hardly hits my rotations with the Rockwell, aristocrat and game changer.
I also own a Rex which is at the bottom of my list, even below the emperor. Lovely razor, but it gives me average to poor shaves.


Greetings from Santa Rosa, CA

You should have no problem flipping that one on the BST section here.  Although things seem to move really slow there now.

Just sold it today.
Now looking for a replacement. I may go down the route of a fatboy or slim.


Greetings from Santa Rosa, CA

If you prefer lighter razor go with Slim
But I really enjoy my Rex Ambassador

Now I have a fatboy and man what a difference:
- efficient
- super smooth
- no irritation and a super close shave.


Greetings from Santa Rosa, CA

I own one and honestly wasn't impressed. It may be because I am spoiled, but it feels very light, not as well machined as some of my other razors, so I never went more than a single pass with it....and it has only been a single pass with it to this day.

Watching the Freddy's SOTD, Vinkings Blade The Emperor Meiji reminds me a Gillette Fatboy on steroids.
https://damnfineshave.com/thread-sotd-7-...#pid330575
   

Can be compared?
Or It's actually another beast?

Watching the Freddy's SOTD, Vinkings Blade The Emperor Meiji reminds me a Gillette Fatboy on steroids.
https://damnfineshave.com/thread-sotd-7-...#pid330575
   

Can be compared?
Or It's actually another beast?

To me, it's "another beast".  While both are adjustable one piece twist-to-open razors, the similarity ends there.  The Emperor is considerably heavier at 122g (4.3 oz) vs. the Fat Boy's 78g (2.75 oz.).  The handle on the Emperor, from the base of the head is 84mm (3.3 inches) long vs. the Fat boy's 76mm (3 inches), again from the base of the head.  The diameter of the main part of each handle is 14.59mm (.575 of an inch) for the Emperor and 12.36mm (.48 of an inch) for the Fat Boy.  Also, the head on the Emperor has a lower arch on the head compared to the Fat Boy, as can be seen in the photo below.  The Emperor's arch is closer to the Gillette Slim than the Fat Boy and is the main reason I prefer the Slim to the Fat Boy so, obviously I prefer the arch on the Emperor to the Fat Boy.  That, of course, comes down to personal preference.  Lastly is the very obvious color scheme on the Emperor vs. the much plainer Fat Boy.  Here, again, that would come down to personal preference.  I happen to like both.

NOTE: The measurements here are approximate but should be close.

These are my impressions but perhaps another member has other ideas or can add to what I have stated here.