Vikings Blade The Godfather Review

Our Vikings Blade The Godfather Experience

We added the Vikings Blade to our shaving routine for three weeks, shaving about three times per week. We'll admit it took us a little time to master the nuances of shaving with this high-end safety razor. When it comes to safety razors, it's just you and a razor-sharp piece of steel; there's not a lot of room for error, and there are no protective mechanisms. The key techniques are angling the blade head correctly against the skin and letting the full weight of the razor do the work.

We ended up loving this razor for its function, but we wouldn't deny that we got a little googly-eyed when opening up the box for the first time. It was obvious that the manufacturer has pride and confidence in its products. Everything was clean, in place, and well protected.

There's something nostalgic about this razor's design that we personally love. Using it can feel like being transported to a 19th-century barbershop. It's heavy and very traditional. We liked handling it and knowing that it required a little more attention and focus than other razors. In fact, mastering this razor felt kind of like a rite of passage. We've never grown tired of using it, and, after months of use, it still looks and works like it was brand new.

After sharing the Godfather with friends and family, we got mixed reviews. People either loved it or hated it. Typically, those willing to take the time to learn how to use a safety razor properly never wanted to go back, while others took a hard pass on the practice and patience required to master it, preferring the quick convenience of multi-blade cartridge razors.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Shave Quality

We experienced nearly perfect results after shaving with the Vikings Blade; however, to get this level of shave, you need to know what you're doing.

We can honestly say that this safety razor produces an excellent shave. Yes, there is a learning curve, but once we got the knack of it, we were quite pleased with our results: a smooth shave with little burn and no ingrown hairs or other razor bumps. It gets extra close to our skin, leaving no stubble or visible roots behind.

Our only complaint is that the blade head is fixed (compared to cartridge heads, which are normally set on a hinge), so following the contours of your face requires a lot more wrist and hand movement.

Glide and Comfort

The Godfather glides well, but since the razor head does not pivot, it is up to the user to find the perfect angle. This can be a little daunting (we advise reading the instructions). However, once we found the sweet spot, we liked how this razor rides across the skin.

One thing is for sure, shaving with the Vikings Blade The Godfather takes more time, so plan on slower, more deliberate movements. The extra weight of this all-metal razor (3.8 ounces) does a lot of the work for you, so remember to settle in and relax.

Handle Ergonomics

We loved the shape and feel of this razor's handle. Its shape fits nicely in the hand, and the extra weight of its solid metal body feels substantial and purposeful.

The chrome plating gives the Vikings Blade a classy, distinct style; however, we wish it had a little more grip. There are some metal-cast ridges for the fingers, but we did notice that the handle became a little slippery if our hands got wet. Otherwise, we absolutely loved the feel of this razor.

Build Quality and Durability

We only have one thing to say: the Vikings Blade is solid metal. If you keep it clean and dry in between shaves, it will last a lifetime.

We can't say enough about this safety razor's construction quality. It's made from dense premium metals and has very few moving parts, which = fewer weak spots. We rarely shell out perfect scores to the products we test; in this case we feel a perfect 10 is well deserved. The Vikings Blade The Godfather is just that good.

Ease of Cleaning and Blade Replacement

Cleaning the Godfather takes a little more effort, but it's not bad. However, replacing the blade is much more involved, especially when we compare this razor directly against the easy click-and-go cartridge models in our lineup.

As with most safety razors, the razor head of the Vikings Blade The Godfather is two-sided, so we could shave longer with it before it needed a rinse. However, swapping out the blade takes a little more time and effort. It's a pretty standard process for a safety razor, but it lacks the modern convenience of disposables and cartridge refills. Next to its peers, the Vikings Blade (and most other safety razors) simply has more steps in the process.

Should You Buy the Vikings Blade The Godfather?

The Vikings Blade The Godfather is a great option for traditionalists who love the old way of doing things. It's also much more eco-friendly because there is not a lot of waste. If you're willing to endure somewhat of a learning curve, we think most users will love the clean, smooth shave this razor can provide. It's even exceptional on denser beards, and when fully mastered, it leaves behind very few ingrown hairs, bumps, or rash.

What Other Razors Should You Consider?

Other safety razors you may want to consider are the Bevel Safety and the Bambaw Double Edge Safety. Both performed well across all of our tests. The Bevel had a slightly smoother glide than the Godfather, but is slightly less ergonomic, so it's more likely to slip. If you're set on a close-shaving safety razor but don't want to cough up $50, the Bambaw is less than half the price and still offers a relatively easy, clean shave. However, replacing the blade is more time-consuming than most, taking about five times as long as traditional razors. If you want a safety razor that makes blade changing easy and fun while also offering a good clean shave, we recommend the Vikings Blade Chieftain Odin. But it's also pricey and doesn't glide quite as well as the Godfather.