- Messages
- 1,284
- Location
- NW England
I've posted a couple of SOTD posts in the last few days with a newly acquired ‘Leaf' razor that uses standard DE blades in a configuration of 1, 2 or 3 half blades in an ingenious layering system. I've now shaved with it three times and it has been sublime. I absolutely love it …but… could it be too good?
Yes, it offers incredible customisation and shaves absolutely brilliantly. For cartridge die hards and new wet shavers I think it's the definite way to go …but… what about the wet shave enthusiast?
Mmmm…there's the rub. The Leaf uses standard DE blades and requires loading them like you would in any DE razor; and you use the same soaps and creams, and pre- and post-shave processes …but… it's over very quickly.
I found myself absolutely loving the shave but missing something of the ‘ritual'. I really like re-lathering between two or three passes so I can get the most out of that excellent brush! But with the Leaf, I seem to need only a single pass and maybe a touch up here and there. I don't seem to get the same feeling of relaxation that a good half an hour shaving ritual provides. I use my brush once and the razor once...and then it's over
The Leaf is a superb razor and I intend to use it often, but it will not stop me using my other razors because maybe they offer that little something extra that the leaf doesn't …the relaxation that comes with time, care, and attention to detail.
Perhaps it's what those Ninjas among us who use straight razors have long known: there's a particular satisfaction that comes from learning the art of shaving that's probably most challenging with a straight edge. Maybe the Leaf is to the DE safety razor what the DE is to the cutthroat. So maybe I'm missing the challenge?
Now that's made me think I really should go 'straight' again
I decided to post this purely as a discussion point. I'd be interested to hear views. Can a razor be too good or too easy to use?
Yes, it offers incredible customisation and shaves absolutely brilliantly. For cartridge die hards and new wet shavers I think it's the definite way to go …but… what about the wet shave enthusiast?
Mmmm…there's the rub. The Leaf uses standard DE blades and requires loading them like you would in any DE razor; and you use the same soaps and creams, and pre- and post-shave processes …but… it's over very quickly.
I found myself absolutely loving the shave but missing something of the ‘ritual'. I really like re-lathering between two or three passes so I can get the most out of that excellent brush! But with the Leaf, I seem to need only a single pass and maybe a touch up here and there. I don't seem to get the same feeling of relaxation that a good half an hour shaving ritual provides. I use my brush once and the razor once...and then it's over
The Leaf is a superb razor and I intend to use it often, but it will not stop me using my other razors because maybe they offer that little something extra that the leaf doesn't …the relaxation that comes with time, care, and attention to detail.
Perhaps it's what those Ninjas among us who use straight razors have long known: there's a particular satisfaction that comes from learning the art of shaving that's probably most challenging with a straight edge. Maybe the Leaf is to the DE safety razor what the DE is to the cutthroat. So maybe I'm missing the challenge?
Now that's made me think I really should go 'straight' again
I decided to post this purely as a discussion point. I'd be interested to hear views. Can a razor be too good or too easy to use?