Vikings Blade is not the most popular brand here for various reasons (one they sell overpriced Chinese made razors).

But an Emperor Meiji for 9 bucks seems like a pretty good deal to me (if it has no defects) - most importantly, if it provides a good shave for you.

Get a blade sampler a synthetic or boar shaving brush (I love the Zenith boars), some shaving soap, like Cella, Stirling, Arko, Proraso or a shaving cream like Proraso/Palmolive and an aftershave splash/balm (or simply a moisturizer that fits your skin type) and you're all set.

Two of my favorites (scent and performance wise) are Tabac (cream here) and Cella (Cream bowl here) The Cella is a pretty soft paste, but it probably benefits from using at least a shave brush. The Tabac cream can be lathered with just his hands on his face. The Tabac has a traditionally masculine smell, hints of bay rum and tobacco. The Cella is very almond-y with some notes of cherry (kind of like an Amaretto smell).