VIKINGS BLADE The Crusader Adjustable Safety Razor (Frosted Chrome)

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!

Though it's a not marketing point, this razor is heavy; even heavier than my 'ultra-heavyweight' Parker razor.I love the copper finish, but that's merely aesthetics.*Another thing to note is how well this razor shaves non-face areas. When fully open to the most aggressive setting, it shaves body hair very well- better than anything else I've used (though that's not much). All shavers, from cyclists to pole dancers, should check this thing out!that said, the copper finish doesn't stay brilliant for very long.Other than non-face shaving, this razor underperforms compared to my other razors.After falling down in the tub, one of the arms that adjust the razor broke. I'm not going to replace it.

First impression was, this is the best looking razor I've got. It has very nice weight, excellent grip, and as I thought it would, perfect blade alignment. I had been thinking of getting an adjustible razor for a while. The idea of been able to use any blade with the same razor and adjust as needed seemed like a no brainer. But still I let time pass, and I am so glad I did. This razor has a unique feature not found in any other adjustable razor. One side of the razor head is sculpted and the other is a straight bar, IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE.I shaved with it shortly after it arrived, could not wait. This is a very, and I mean very efficient razor. I don't think if you are new to wet shaving that you should try to learn using this razor. It will cut through those whiskers effortless. Now, I did not cut or nick myself. But I took my time, and I have been shaving for a minute and have my technique just right. 3 passes, with, a cross, and against. I used the vikings blade shave cream and blade (razor does not come with blades), figured to just go ahead and do a full vikings blade shave.Where the sculpted and straight bar head made a difference. .My sensitive areas in my face are; underneath my chin, mustache area, and overall neck when shaving against the grain. I used the straight bar side for those areas and it was just SMOOTH.. No irritation at all after the shave.In summary, what a razor! No Nick's, cuts, or irritation. Alum Block tested. This razor can do absolutely anything. Even though I would not recommend for new wet shavers( as to learn using this razor), because efficient can mean aggressive when your still learning. If you are new to wet shaving, you are going to want this razor because, you are going to want to try a whole bunch of blades. Not every blade will work for you, some blades just don't pair well with certain razors. But you can make any blade work well with this one razor by simply making the adjustments, and you can use the straight bar for your trouble areas.You will not regret buying this razor.

This razor is truly unique, and I would have expected nothing less from Vikings. What I like most about this 'war axe' is the ability to customize my shave based on which part of my face I'm shaving and how close I want to get. The adjustable dial is fluid and gives you total control, you just need to be patient. I recommend starting with a very small blade gap the first time and then as you become more familiar with it, you can increase the aggressiveness and expose a bit more. This is sort of like driving a new car, it takes a bit of time to build rapport and get comfortable with it, but once you do it really lets you feel more in control than with any other DE razor I've used. One other bit of advice that I'd echo is to really avoid putting any pressure on it, the weight is plenty to pull the razor on its own, just let it glide and take your time. If you're patient with this razor, you can get the cleanest shave you've ever had.

Excelente articulo.... muy pesado y resistente! Vale cada centavo!!

Very happy with the Crusader. It is great to get back to old school shaving. I cannot fault the quality of the razor or the quality of the shave.

a cut above /refreshing

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.