Getting started with
The Twig & Thorn Razors
Leaf Shave single-edge razors come in two versions: Twig, and Thorn.
The Twig razor is the gentle version, best suited for lighter hair or more sensitive skin.
The Thorn razor is the more aggressive version, best suited for thicker / coarser hair.
01. Review before Use
- Before using your Twig Razor, read through these instructions carefully. If you have any questions about how to load, use or care for your razor reach out to us at hello@leafshave.com before use.
- Exercise caution when handling blades and using the razor, the blades are sharp.
- Please keep the razor and blades out of reach of children.
02. Loading your Razor
- Open the razor by twisting the bottom of the handle clockwise until the top lifts and twists out of the way.
- Load a single-edge blade into your Twig safety razor making sure to line up the notches on the sides of the blade with the mating feature on the blade holder. It should sit flat.
- Secure the The Twig razor closed by twisting the bottom of the handle counterclockwise until finger-tight.
03. Enjoy your Shave
- Shave using light pressure, manually keeping the blade positioned at a 30-degree angle to your skin. Then, just let the weight of the razor do the work.
- Rinse the razor frequently with warm water—the razor and skin should always be damp.
- Feel your skin to find places you may have missed and go over them again. For even closer results, repeat the process shaving against the natural direction of hair growth.
Watch with sound on.
Cleaning & Care
Like any tool that you want to last, a little care goes a long way.
During & After
DURING
While using Twig or Thorn Razor, rinse from the front and back as needed to keep the blade clear of hair. Some shavers like to employ 'buffing' or 'back and forth' shaving technique which involves a short "back-stroke" before a forward shaving stroke. The backstroke clears hair from the blade, this technique can cut down on rinsing but may not be the best fit for everyone's skin.
AFTER
After you finish using Twig or Thorn Razor, rinse thoroughly from the outside, or open the head up and rinse the inside. Opening and rinsing the blade individually is *not necessary* but some folks like to do this after heavy shaves to ensure the cleanest tool between uses.
To get the longest life from your blade, pat it dry between uses. Water will shorten the life of any shaving blade. Drying your blades is *not necessary* but some folks may want to eek out the longest life from their blades.
Long Term Care
EVERY NOW AND THEN
If you find your razor accumulating shave soap residue / hair residue, we suggest periodically scrubbing it clean. First, remove all of the blade.
Take an old toothbrush (designated razor cleaning brush) and apply a small amount of dish soap to it. With water, scrub all over, working up a good bubbly lather from the soap. Scrub the front, the back, around the handle, open the head and scrub under teh cap and on the surface that the blade lays on. Work all of the nooks and crannies until you are satisfied.
Thoroughly rinse the soap off, and use a soft cloth or towel to dry the razor. If you'd like, you can finish this cleaning with a dunk in rubbing alcohol. Reinstall a fresh blade.
DEEP CLEANSE AS NEEDED
If your razor has long-term soap residue, or rust-stains from the blades: prepare a bath of diluted white vinegar (1:1 with water) and soak the razor for no more than 10 minutes. Then perform the above cleaning process.
Having trouble?
If you ever feel that you're not getting what you need out of your razor, please reach out: hello@leafshave.com.
My razor isn't shaving close enough
If you feel you aren't getting as close a shave as you desire, try these step.
First, ensure you're loading all three blades into The Leaf razor. This will provide the closest shave setting.
Second, ensure that you are making at least one pass against the grain of hair growth. Shaving against the grain will provide the closest shave. You can determine which direction your hair grows by feeling with your fingers. As you glide your fingers across your skin, pay attention to which direction the hair seems to be flowing.
I'm experiencing nicks / cuts from my shave
While there is always a risk of nicks when shaving with blades and razors, The Leaf is designed to minimize these issues. The small learning curve when first getting started is primarily in the weight of the razor. Because the head pivots, it shaves technically like the razors you're already use to. But the Leaf Razor handle is heavier. The adjustment to make and to get a feel for is that you do not need to press down hard. The pivot will engage and maintain correct pressure on your blades.
The trickiest spot when shaving is over bony areas (like shins). We suggest taking your time over tougher areas when you first get started, so you can get a feel for how the tool works in your hands. Light pressure, take your time, you'll adjust quickly.
This is important
If you'd like to load your Leaf razor in a milder / gentler setting, leave the lowest blade out of the razor head. Only load the middle and top spots. This will dial things back, and your Leaf razor will be gentler on your skin and hair. Some folks with extra sensitive skin find this a more comfortable setting. We suggest trying this setting if you feel that the fully loaded Leaf razor is too aggressie for you.
I'm seeing rust inside the razor head
The razor itself won't rust, it's finished to prevent corrosion. However, shaving blades of any variety are made of a type of stainless steel that will eventually tarnish. This process is accelerated by the presence of water. So if you'd like to keep your blades lasting as long as possible, keep them dry between uses.
If you do find that the blade has tarnished and stained the inside of your Leaf Razor head: don't worry! This is easy to clean off. Take a dab of dish soap and an old toothbrush and scrub-a-dub-dub the head.
