Leaf Twig Razor Review – A Mild And Tamed Single-Edge Option
Leaf Twig Razor
I would say the Leaf Twig is a good option for those transitioning from a multi-blade razor and aiming to try to save on the cost of replacement cartridges. I also reckon some experienced wet-shaving gents with a safety razor might find giving it a try worth it. I found it does lack aspects that a traditional DE offers, but on the flip side, its ease of use is a major attribute.
Pros
Very easy to use without much of a learning curve
Mild and an ideal choice for beginners or for those who like them gentle
Blade changing is very easy, and the mechanism for changing blades is uniquely useful
The mildness and pre-angled blade geometry provide room for error without nicks and cuts
The handle design provides a good grip
A double-edged blade snapped for this razor will last twice as long as a standard DE razor
Cons
The handle being bottom-heavy is odd, even though the shave is very good
It lacks the ability to control the blade angle when required because of its pre-angled design
It is not the best razor for shaving under the nose area because of the head and pre-angled design
Leaf is known for marketing and selling razors that bridge the gap between a cartridge razor and a safety razor, with the Leaf Original razor I have used and reviewed being their best 3-bladed example.
I found that the Leaf Twig I am reviewing here, a single-edge safety razor, is also an easy transitional razor from a multi-blade, easy-to-use razor.
It might also appeal to guys who like a mild safety razor and want to give a single-edge razor a go as well.
As always, it is not a one-size-fits-all type of thing; some factors might not be favored by some gents.
| Feature / Spec | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Razor Type | Single-Edge (SE) Safety Razor |
| Aggressiveness | Mild (1.0 mm Blade Gap) + Pre-Angled Geometry |
| Build Material | All-metal zinc alloy & stainless steel body |
| Weight | ~68–70 grams |
| Total Length | ~101.6 mm (~4.0 inches) |
| Blade Compatibility | Half DE Blades or SE Blades (Perma-Sharp, Feather, Derby, etc.) |
| Loading Mechanism | Twist-to-open base with internal Magnetic Load Assist™ |
| Available Finishes | Matte Black, Chrome, Rose Gold, Gold, Prism, Mercury |
Description & Features
Compared to a standard double-edge safety razor, the Leaf Twig looks very different; slightly unusual was my first impression.
The reason the Twig has the potential to be a good option for those transitioning from a multi-blade razor is mostly due to the head design. The head on this razor is already angled at about 30 degrees, which is not the case with a DE safety razor.
This 30-degree angle means it does not require us to get the blade angle correct. Blade angle is a big learning curve when using a safety razor – which does not exist with the Twig.
It comes in a variety of colors, and I chose the black model, purely because that was available for delivery at the time. I would have preferred the chrome finish style like the Leaf Thorn I also purchased.
The colors available:
- Chrome – The option I would prefer. Standard for safety razors.
- Black – The color I show in this review.
- Prism – Some guys might like that prism multi-color look when light shines on it. I am not a fan of it!
You might get a stand with the razor, but if you dont, it can stand up very well alone due to the large bottom of the handle.
Handle, Ergonomics and Grip
I find the tapered or flared handle design a bit peculiar; however, it does fit in my hand very well, and the larger bottom end sits nicely in my palm while my thumb and forefinger make use of the slimmer top section with lined grip.
It has a lined grip section at the top and at the bottom, and the razor holds firmly in the hand even while wet with lather residue.
As the length of the razor is around 100 mm, that is around the standard length for a safety razor and works very well for me.
Interestingly different and practical.
Blades and Blade Changing
As this is a single-edge razor, we can either use the single-edge blades that Leaf provides, our own choice of single-edge blades, or, as most of us do, we snap a double-edge blade of our prefernce and use one half.
I tried the Leaf razor blades and did not find them as good as other blades I prefer, so I snapped a few of the blades I like to use to test them out while shaving. I found the Leaf blades mild and suitable for a razor sold as a mild razor.
While I am not a fan of the Leaf blades, dont let that put you off trying them. We all differ when it comes to razor blade preferences.
I found a Perma-Sharp blade suited me well in this razor. I have recently just gotten into liking the Perma-Sharp.
I found the twist-and-load style of blade changing to be beginner-friendly and easy. The bottom twists and opens the top section to insert or remove a blade. I like that it has a magnetic section on the inside to make inserting a blade easier and a little more convenient while also keeping the blade in place.
Overall, a very good and easy-to-use design.
Blade Gap, Exposure and Angle
There is very little blade exposure on this razor, which reduces the aggressiveness. And while there is a 1 mm blade gap, the set angle of the head is low, and the safety bar – and that angle does not give the 1 mm blade gap a chance to expose itself at a higher level to give too much blade feel.
That is how I can simply explain it. It is perfectly designed for mild shaving with its pre-angled geometry.
Weight and Balance Is Interesting
As the Leaf Twig weighs around 70g/2.47oz, it is neither light nor heavy when compared to many other safety razors. It is a common weight for a safety razor, but I am aware that the head is nothing like the size of a standard DE razor, which means Leaf could have made it lighter.
The weight of this is distributed to that larger bottom section, and when I hold it lightly, it feels very bottom-heavy, whereas a typical DE razor will feel slightly top-heavy.
It is odd; despite the bottom feeling heavy, it still does not feel odd while shaving. However, I have found that it is not a razor that encourages the top-heavy weight to do the work (or support it).
I feel the lack of balance means the razor does not require that extra weight, and the handle could be made hollow. When I compare it with my Henson A13, which is much lighter and also does not have that weight-assistance effect, the Henson’s lack of weight makes more sense (as the weight has little or no use).
I’m into my weighty razors, but for this one, the weight does not seem to be required, and it could even be better if the razor were made lighter (maybe).
Shaving Experiences
I had a fair few shaves with the Twig before reviewing it and tested it on various days of growth. I have coarse growth and generally shave every 2 – 3 days.
It was unusual to use at first because of its unique design that I was not accustomed to, but I soon got the hang of it.
After the first shave, I knew this was most definitely mild and a good choice for someone switching from a multi-blade razor.
I expected the razor to be challenged on my coarse hair when shaving with three days of growth. However, it glided through it nicely without any sign of tugging hairs at all.
Shaving every two days suited me very well with the Twig. Even shaving daily (despite not being a daily shaving guy) was fairly comfortable with minimal irritation – so I can see daily shaving gents finding it a very good mild shave.
I did three-pass shaves, and the razor worked easily on my skin without leaving irritation.
One negative for me that other experienced safety razors might experience is the lack of control in terms of the head. It is set, and I had no ability to change angles slightly as I would with a standard DE razor.
Another slight negative is shaving under the nose area due to the shape of the head and the lack of blade angle adjustment available. I overcame this by moving my nose to the side and shaving sideways.
This fixed-angle head is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it prevents anyone from making a mistake and getting nicks or cuts, and on the other hand, it lacks blade angle change when required.
Overall, a very enjoyable experince that was different. I learned something about differences between a single edge and a DE razor with the Twig.
Verdict – Who’s it For?
I must admit I had a better experince than I thought I would with the Leaf Twig.
It is most definitely a good option for those transitioning to a safety razor and those gents who wish to save on the cost of cartridge razor refills – just as the company Leaf markets their razors.
It deserves to join my roundup of Best Safety Razors for Beginners, and so it has
One issue, though, for you guys transitioning, I can think about is that you won’t be getting the full safety razor blade angle control and learning curve. However, maybe you can wait to learn that, or you may not even need it if a single-edge razor works so well (if it ain’t broke, why fix it?).
For some of you seasoned safety razor users that lean toward a milder razor, give it a go; it is at least fun if nothing else. I would give yourself a few shaves, though, as you might have your DE razor experince stuck in your mind, shadowing the beneficial experince of this single-edged Twig Razor.
It currently costs around $60 in the US, so it is not cheap compared to some other DE razors, even decent ones (I dont find it too pricey, though). Guys switching from multi-blade razors will soon make up the costs by not buying new cartridges for the multi-blade razor.
Anything to add or ask? Then do join me in the comments section below.
