I received my items from Package Free Shop that included the Leaf razor and Kooshoo organic hair ties. There will be a separate review for the hair ties once I’ve had more time with them. I bought the shave bundle (in gold), which saved some money, and used some points to lower the price further. I’m glad I did.

My current safety razor is by Merkur. It’s a single-blade, double-edged razor that I’ve talked about numerous times in the past. It does have extra steps, but does a wonderful job at removing hair anywhere. Even though I love it (and, truth be told, didn’t need a new razor) I wanted to try the Leaf.

The first time I saw a Leaf razor I loved that it was a pivoting, zero-waste, multi-blade razor. You can load one, two, or three blades depending on your preference. The $84 price tag for the razor alone (at the time of this posting) was a big turn-off. When I saw the bundle listed for $82 that included a shave bar, razor, pack of blades, and drawstring bag I figured it wouldn’t hurt to try it out. I also had some rewards points. Since I don’t do much shopping these days, I used them to lower the price further.

After seeing a multitude of glowing reviews, and weighing the pros & cons, I couldn’t wait to try it out. I loved the idea of having multiple blades and a pivoting head. When I used to use disposable razors I’d always get the ones sold in the men’s section that had multiple blades and pivoted. My current safety razor takes one double-edged blade. The first thought that came to my mind was that it would be a much closer shave with better results, much like the difference between single and multiple blades with disposable razors. I was very wrong.

Before I get into the shaving process, let’s start at the beginning. The Leaf has a nice box that you could travel with, but it would be very bulky. For the price they could include a travel case. I noticed the difference in weight right away and could feel how easily the head pivoted. Loading the blades is simple. All you have to do is loosen the screw in the back—don’t worry; it won’t fall out. The sections are hinged so once the screw is loose you can easily flip up each piece to place the blade. Start at the bottom. There are small magnets that hold each blade in place. Flip the top down after loading, tighten the screw in the back, and you’re done. Grab your favorite shave soap/cream and get to work. Since the components are not all connected, the Merkur has more steps and you can cut yourself when tightening the head. To load it, you have to place the bottom plate on the handle, followed by the blade and tip piece. Then, spin the entire top part until it’s secure. There are also safety razors that have a butterfly opening, but I’ve not yet tried that to compare.

I used this razor everywhere (even sensitive bits) to test it’s performance. Unlike traditional razors and lightweight safety razors, you don’t need to apply any pressure. The weight of the razor will do the work. This will take some getting used to so take your time. There’s no need to rush, especially if this is your first time using a safety razor.

Now, here’s where I found it less than user-friendly. For a razor that is so heavy you’d think the grip would be better. Is its current design nice to look at? Yes. Is it easy to hold once you have it in the shower? No. The handle becomes slick, exacerbated by whatever shave soap/cream you’re using. All it takes is the smallest amount for the handle to become almost too slick to hold. I was concerned that it might sway or slip. Fortunately, it didn’t. I’d highly recommend trying the Leaf out after the water is off and your hands are dry and free of any shave soap/cream. You can purchase a grip sleeve ($5). There are 5 color options and using it may increase stability. If you purchase from their site then get one. One reviewer did mention that the grip can become slick, but it’s worth having a bit of a safety net. Personally, I think all Leaf Shave razors should come with one.

My underarms were just as smooth as with my go-to safety razor, although I prefer to epilate. My legs weren’t quite as smooth and took longer to get hair-free. My fiancé said that my legs were far more stubbly. Not quite the results I had planned. The Leaf razor was easy to drag (make sure that you always have shave soap/cream on to avoid razor burn). The downside was, like I said, with the grip. My Merkur razor has almost a sandpaper-like textured handle that is easy to hold onto even with soapy hands.

As I mentioned, I tried this razor all over. If you have longer hair in places, odds are that it’ll get caught in the head of the Leaf between the end of the blade and inside edge of the head, making it very uncomfortable. My suggestion is that you buzz off any body hair that is remotely long. Once you’ve shaved make sure to maintain the area.

Due to its design I found that it needed more frequent cleaning than my Merkur or even a disposable razor. The pros and cons sort of balance out. If the razors were at a more affordable price point, I would be able to say that it’s worth giving it a go. Here are some of the pros and cons that I discovered with the Leaf Razor:

Pros:

• The weight makes it easy to drag.
• No pressure is required; easy pivoting head.
• Easy, safe(er) blade-loading.
  • Magnets hold the blades in place.
• Unibody design.
  • More travel-friendly (blades still have to be checked when flying).
• Easy to clean.
• Double-edge safety razor blades will work as long as you snap them in half first, while still wrapped.
• It’s sleek and contributes much more to the aesthetic of the bathroom.

Cons:

• High price point.
• Can be difficult to grip.
  • Weight may contribute to grip difficulties.
• More time-consuming shave.
• More frequent cleaning needed.
• Less hair removed in one pass than with other razors.
• Longer hairs can get caught and thus pulled out (ouch!).
• Case is not included.
• Grip sleeve not included (and definitely should be).

There are other versions that are at a lower price point ($59/style). The Twig is a single-blade razor with a smaller head to reach more difficult areas. The Twig-Thorn is a slightly larger version of the Twig. If manufacturing location matters to you, it’s important to note that the Leaf is manufactured in Taiwan, the Twig in China, and the blades in Egypt. According the the website, Leaf Shave products are all cruelty-free, the razors are recyclable, and the company works to offset their entire carbon footprint. You can read more on the FAQ page.

I hope you found this review useful. When time permits I’ll film the process from loading the blades to using and cleaning the Leaf. If you are looking for a single-edge zero-waste razor, then I suggest getting the Twig or Twig-Thorn. While the Leaf is beautiful, the multiple blades aren’t really worth it. I’d love to see them create a multi-blade style that won’t catch hair. Have you tried their razors? Do you have a favorite? Let us know in the comments.

Peace & Love, always!