Leaf Shave - The Twig Single Edge Razor

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92
Location
Huntington N.Y.

The single edge razor is getting lots of attention lately with several new releases over the years we have many to choose from but one that I’ve used recently could be jumping ahead of the pack this one is from the company Leaf and it’s called the Twig.

This remarkable razor came to me via an announcement from Leaf as a Kickstarter. They made sure the backers knew what was going on every step of the way right up to the shipping. When it finally came I had to wait due to it being almost the end of the year not wanted to do the review at that time. Finally, after two other razor reviews, I’m ready to tackle the Twig.
When the package arrived I found it simple in appearance no fan fair to its wrapping. A small box with simply the words Leaf embossed on the top sleeve and the words Twig near the bottom. The box opened easily and presented the Twig razor beautifully. I ordered the gold version and when I first saw it looked like it was going to be a heavy razor but just the opposite was true.

Once I had the razor in hand I knew this was going to be a different kind of experience and loading this razor was one of them which was presented in a 2 step diagram on the inside lid of the box. By turning the bottom handle the head lifts up and then turns away so you can load the half blade. You don’t have to use the provided 5 blades I used a Personna Blue blade which I folded in its paper wrapping until it snapped in half. All I did was just place one half in the razor as pictured and turn the bottom handle until it closed down on the blade and its fit was perfect.

When it comes to single edge razors I have more than a few and the one I find my favorite is the Occams Razor Enhanced Nano but this Twig has got me thinking this might change because of the shave I had with the Twig was in a word outstanding. If you overlooking the process of loading and folding blades, this razor has so much going for it. The Twig is a well-balanced razor which makes this easy to maneuver. It cleans extremely well with just a quick run under the water and my shave was so close that it was hard to say anything but wow when the shave was over.

This is not the only Leaf product in the line. The first razor they came out with was called The Leaf after its namesake a multi-blade razor that was not plastic. This $84 razor was way different than anything released in the disposable razor space in fact it was sort of the proof of concept for the Twig currently is $59.00

If I had one bad thing to say about the Twig it would be bending your favorite blade until it snaps in half so you could use a brand your comfortable with. Other than that I find nothing stopping you from ordering one for yourself. I'm already making room in my den for this razor to have a place of honor alongside my Occams Razor Enhanced Nano.

Link To YouTube Video
 
thank you for your review. Its an interesting design for sure. I never tried a single edge razor. I have been looking at a few recently. your video is certainly positive ;)
 
The aggressive version of the Twig arrived today after reading your review and I have had my first shave with it with two and half days of growth.
Plenty of blade feel and I did have one weeper. However one of the closest shaves I have add. It feels safer than the Blackland Vector
and is also better than the Supply in my experience. I prefer the lighter razors.
 
Anyone on here like the Occams razor?
I've got the original version Wayne but I'm yet to use it. Reviews are favourable but a few points worth noting :
  • I'm assuming you're looking at the original version which is currently $49.99 at Classic Shaving. This version has a larger safety bar which some folk have struggled with. The safety bar is reduced on the nano version.
  • The blade loading method is a bit unconventional but does work.
  • It comes with three interchangeable heads which gives a fair bit of flexibility.
 
I bought my Twig (aggressive Thorn version) 4 weeks ago from @Agent Shave. It arrived in short time and carefully wrapped - great service.
I thought I'd share my experience after having used it, almost exclusively, over this time.

An offshoot from the Leaf razor, this interesting Twig has grown on me like no other razor. It reminds me of Gillette Guard disposable razor due to its nimble handling. The main error to avoid is to apply too much pressure. As all the weight is in the bulb shaped end of the handle, which makes the head feel almost weightless in comparison; so the tendency is to compensate by adding pressure to the head. Don't.

Twig 02s.jpg

Loading the razor is a breeze and even snapping a DE blade in half is fun and satisfying. Like other people have commented, the screw mechanism feels a little rough; but after a week it has smoothed out. It really bugs me that I instinctively and repeatedly screw the thing in the opposite direction to what is required. I feel like such a sap every time this happens.

Twig 05s.jpg

One great property is that there isn't actually much razor head material. This combined with the top plate swiveling out the way on opening means that cleaning is quick and easy using an old toothbrush.


Twig 04s.jpg

I can never quite get the top plate aligned uniformly to the blade. I'll try to position the top plate manually just before tightening up but it has a mind of its own and moves anyway. This doesn't however seem to affect performance as far as I can tell. I guess it's just tolerance in manufacturing.

Twig 03s.jpg

One clever feature is that the bent and sharp edge where the DE blade is snapped is protected from the user by the arching design of the side coverings of the top plate.

Twig 01s.jpg

So what is it like to use? It's no weedy performer; I can definitely feel the blade whilst shaving, which I kind of like as it tells me to go easy when mowing down the stubble. Not having the standard version of the Twig, I can't compare that with this aggressive version.
It's got some bite which I assume I would prefer to the standard version which some have said is on the mild side.

It does deliver a wonderfully effortless shave. It would go out on a limb and say it makes me think about not bothering with all my other razors (DEs, SEs, injectors, modern and vintage). It's that good. However I know I would get bored just using one razor, so that's not going to happen.

I'd like to point out to those out there who can see the odd bit of muck/soap on my razor that I didn't clean it especially for these photos; purposely to show how easily it can be cleaned with a toothbrush in a few seconds.

This (or the standard version) would be an excellent choice for someone new to wet shaving or wanting to branch out into SE shaving.

Personally I have found half a Gillette Rubie DE blade has performed best but I've now tried a selection of blades (even a Derby Premium!) and this razor shaved great with them all (even the ones supplied supplied in the box - which is unusual).

I can see the Twig is one razor I'll be sticking with.
 
Last edited:
I bought my Twig (aggressive Thorn version) 4 weeks ago from @Agent Shave. It arrived in short time and carefully wrapped - great service.
I thought I'd share my experience after having used it, almost exclusively, over this time.

An offshoot from the Leaf razor, this interesting Twig has grown on me like no other razor. It reminds me of Gillette Guard disposable razor due to its nimble handling. The main error to avoid is to apply too much pressure. As all the weight is in the bulb shaped end of the handle, which makes the head feel almost weightless in comparison; so the tendency is to compensate by adding pressure to the head. Don't.

View attachment 69257

Loading the razor is a breeze and even snapping a DE blade in half is fun and satisfying. Like other people have commented, the screw mechanism feels a little rough; but after a week it has smoothed out. It really bugs me that I instinctively and repeatedly screw the thing in the opposite direction to what is required. I feel like such a sap every time this happens.

View attachment 69258

One great property is that there isn't actually much razor head material. This combined with the top plate swiveling out the way on opening means that cleaning is quick and easy using an old toothbrush.


View attachment 69259

I can never quite get the top plate aligned uniformly to the blade. I'll try to position the top plate manually just before tightening up but it has a mind of its own and moves anyway. This doesn't however seem to affect performance as far as I can tell. I guess it's just tolerance in manufacturing.

View attachment 69260

One clever feature is that the bent and sharp edge where the DE blade is snapped is protected from the user by the arching design of the side coverings of the top plate.

View attachment 69261

So what is it like to use? It's no weedy performer; I can definitely feel the blade whilst shaving, which I kind of like as it tells me to go easy when mowing down the stubble. Not having the standard version of the Twig, I can't compare that with this aggressive version.
It's got some bite which I assume I would prefer to the standard version which some have said is on the mild side.

It does deliver a wonderfully effortless shave. It would go out on a limb and say it makes me think about not bothering with all my other razors (DEs, SEs, injectors, modern and vintage). It's that good. However I know I would get bored just using one razor, so that's not going to happen.

I'd like to point out to those out there who can see the odd bit of muck/soap on my razor that I didn't clean it especially for these photos; purposely to show how easily it can be cleaned with a toothbrush in a few seconds.

This (or the standard version) would be an excellent choice for someone new to wet shaving or wanting to branch out into SE shaving.

Personally I have found half a Gillette Rubie DE blade has performed best but I've now tried a selection of blades (even a Derby Premium!) and this razor shaved great with them all (even the ones supplied supplied in the box - which is unusual).

I can see the Twig is one razor I'll be sticking with.
Indeed, every blade works superb in this razor, the only blades that were noisy and short-lived were from the complimentary pack which I believe is Lord made and rebranded.

I am using the Mild version and I also find that it's just gliding with no drama at all.
 
I bought my Twig (aggressive Thorn version) 4 weeks ago from @Agent Shave. It arrived in short time and carefully wrapped - great service.
I thought I'd share my experience after having used it, almost exclusively, over this time.

An offshoot from the Leaf razor, this interesting Twig has grown on me like no other razor. It reminds me of Gillette Guard disposable razor due to its nimble handling. The main error to avoid is to apply too much pressure. As all the weight is in the bulb shaped end of the handle, which makes the head feel almost weightless in comparison; so the tendency is to compensate by adding pressure to the head. Don't.

View attachment 69257

Loading the razor is a breeze and even snapping a DE blade in half is fun and satisfying. Like other people have commented, the screw mechanism feels a little rough; but after a week it has smoothed out. It really bugs me that I instinctively and repeatedly screw the thing in the opposite direction to what is required. I feel like such a sap every time this happens.

View attachment 69258

One great property is that there isn't actually much razor head material. This combined with the top plate swiveling out the way on opening means that cleaning is quick and easy using an old toothbrush.


View attachment 69259

I can never quite get the top plate aligned uniformly to the blade. I'll try to position the top plate manually just before tightening up but it has a mind of its own and moves anyway. This doesn't however seem to affect performance as far as I can tell. I guess it's just tolerance in manufacturing.

View attachment 69260

One clever feature is that the bent and sharp edge where the DE blade is snapped is protected from the user by the arching design of the side coverings of the top plate.

View attachment 69261

So what is it like to use? It's no weedy performer; I can definitely feel the blade whilst shaving, which I kind of like as it tells me to go easy when mowing down the stubble. Not having the standard version of the Twig, I can't compare that with this aggressive version.
It's got some bite which I assume I would prefer to the standard version which some have said is on the mild side.

It does deliver a wonderfully effortless shave. It would go out on a limb and say it makes me think about not bothering with all my other razors (DEs, SEs, injectors, modern and vintage). It's that good. However I know I would get bored just using one razor, so that's not going to happen.

I'd like to point out to those out there who can see the odd bit of muck/soap on my razor that I didn't clean it especially for these photos; purposely to show how easily it can be cleaned with a toothbrush in a few seconds.

This (or the standard version) would be an excellent choice for someone new to wet shaving or wanting to branch out into SE shaving.

Personally I have found half a Gillette Rubie DE blade has performed best but I've now tried a selection of blades (even a Derby Premium!) and this razor shaved great with them all (even the ones supplied supplied in the box - which is unusual).

I can see the Twig is one razor I'll be sticking with.

hey mate, how can you tell just by looking at the twig razor whether its the standard mild one or the aggressive one?

tbh this is the first time i heard of there being an aggressive version, didnt see anything on leaf shave website

not gonna lie mate, i absolutely loved my head shave with the twig and just by reading your review im tempted to get the arresive twig too

just curious, how did it perform with the derby extra in?
 
hey mate, how can you tell just by looking at the twig razor whether its the standard mild one or the aggressive one?

tbh this is the first time i heard of there being an aggressive version, didnt see anything on leaf shave website

not gonna lie mate, i absolutely loved my head shave with the twig and just by reading your review im tempted to get the arresive twig too

just curious, how did it perform with the derby extra in?
Only having the one version I've no idea how to tell it from the standard one. There are no markings to be seen.

Agreed no mention of it on the Leaf website - the two versions are available on the Agent Shave website.

I was tempted to get both but managed to control myself. If you're happy with the standard version I'd say stick with it as I can't compare the two.

I find Derby Premiums are ok on the first shave but quickly degrade after that. So only having a single shave with the Derby keeps it sweet. Still not as comfortable than other blades though but passable.
 
Only having the one version I've no idea how to tell it from the standard one. There are no markings to be seen.

Agreed no mention of it on the Leaf website - the two versions are available on the Agent Shave website.

I was tempted to get both but managed to control myself. If you're happy with the standard version I'd say stick with it as I can't compare the two.

I find Derby Premiums are ok on the first shave but quickly degrade after that. So only having a single shave with the Derby keeps it sweet. Still not as comfortable than other blades though but passable.
Yea strange that leaf Shave don't have it on their site

Thanks for the info mate
 
Same here, I had no clue of being two versions. Bought mine of Leaf website and there was only one option. The only thing you could choose was the finish.
I'm sure mine is the mild version as I don't get along at all with aggressive razors and this gives me nice comfortable shaves. Like fancontroller I find Derby Premiums work perfect for two shaves max. Anything more than that is starting to be a struggle. I bought the halves so don't even have to snap them (yes, lazy I know).
 
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