Leaf Shave DFS pass around

Hi.

Received the razor earlier in the week and been shaving with it.  Reminds me very much of the Focus Dynamic, but little more efficient (probably due to the multiple blades).

Will have more thoughts later.  I plan on shipping it out early next week to the Lipripper660.

Thanks, Andrew, for organizing this!

I forgot all about that razor!

no problem, I think it's great when we're able to try out new products before buying them.

Hi.

Packing the razor to send out tomorrow.

A very mild razor. Shaves very much like a cart and pressure is needed to get it to cut. I stick my initial assessment that this shaves similar to a focus dynamic.

Multiple blade makes for a few less strokes as compared to the Dynamic. But the thicker head makes it harder to get around tight corners. The 'branch' handle (the clear once) seems to be an attempt at addressing the largeness of a the leaf's head, but I never used it.

I am of asian descent so my facial hair is relatively thick and coarse, but the hair grows straight and it's not very dense. My skin is average but western standards (and thick by asian standards) so there was not much razor burn or harshness even with pressure. I typically rinse between strokes anyhow so I didn't get any clogging issues, but I can see those who use long strokes or don't rinse often may experience problems.

The head is relatively flat and broad so it does well in straight flat areas, but not so great around curves (eg jaw line, adam's apple). End result is a good DFS without much thought, but difficult to get a true BBS even if you did multiple passses and applied more pressure.

Shaves mindlessly like a cart; even more so than the Focus Dynamic and One Blade.

Mindlessness/Ease of use: Leaf>Dynamic>One Blade.
Closeness/BBS Shave Potential: One Blade> Dynamic > Leaf

TL;DR - If you're looking to replace a cart with something cheaper to use you got a winner. If you're looking for a closer shave, look elsewhere.

Side note - Blade loading is annoying. But since it's so mild, I venture you can prob get 5+ shaves before needed to flip/change blades. I used Derby Premium Saloon blades the entire week and only flipped the blades once for giggles. I did not notice any harshness or dullness as time goes on and I venture I could prob use this set of blades for much longer.

Side note 2 - Construction is actually pretty decent in the hand. I would be interested to see how the chromed zimak holds up over time.

Thanks again, andrewjs18 , for setting this up. I'm glad to have gotten to try it. Also glad I don't own it.

Looking forward to giving it a go.

Can I join the pass around? I'm located in Florida

Can I join the pass around? I'm located in Florida

sure, I added you to the list.

Cool! I have a guy to send it to after it gets used here in Idaho! Surprised there have not been more guys jump in.

Can I join the pass around? I'm located in Florida

sure, I added you to the list.

Thank you

The Leaf has proven to be a very interesting razor to say the least. I've used it for two shaves and I have to say, although this'll not replace my other beloved razors, I am more than a bit impressed with its design. Loading the razor is not the easiest but it's not too difficult either. I cracked 2 Polsilvers in half and put a blade on all three positions. I wanted to get a feel for what the razor was at its full glory. My assessment so far is that it shaves very similarly to the Gillette Fusion carts I travel with. You would really have to work at it to get a nick or cut. I have never been a fan of pivoting head razors as it seems to me that once the razor blade meets the resistance of a whisker, the whole head wants to lift off my face which changes the angle of attack. To combat this I either have to press harder or hold the razor head from swiveling with my forefinger. The razor with three blades loaded is mild to say they least. I have found that a thinner, wetter lather seems to work best for me with this razor. Thick and cushioning lather seems to not let the head engage my skin to efficiently whereas thinner lather still provides slickness but not "lift". The resulting shaves have been acceptable but not stellar. There is zero blade feel and blade gap and exposure are minimal. I had no clogging issues or stubble build up issues with the thinned out lather. Due to slick soap and mild razor I could go over trouble areas multiple times without relathering. But that also meant that "I had to go over places multiple times" to get near the closeness I enjoy. I shave daily and face lather. Used Latha first shave and Dr. Selbys today. I'll try a puck of trumpers new formula tomorrow as it is super slick with vaporizing lather. Might be just the ticket.

Now my wife on the other hand loves this razor. Her daily driver is a Muhle R89. She uses it every other day. This morning I cracked up some Personna lab blues and whipped her up a loose lather. She was hesitant about tackling a new razor, especially one with three blades but once she got started she was very impressed. She loves the floating head and the longer handle. She commented on "not having to pay attention to angles". When done she told me the shave was as good or better than those she gets from the R89 and that it took 50% less time to shave. She had me order one today. Hey fellas. If your lady is hesitant to shave old school, the Leaf might be the answer.

Hey DFS crew. I am surprised that only 4 of us wanted to try this razor thus far. Doesn't anyone else want to try out this remarkable design? It'll only cost you the shipping to the next fella (or home to Andrew). I've found it fun and fascinating and although it won't replace the razors I already use, nevertheless I have one on order because my wife loves it. I'm guessing if you like carts, you will love this razor. If you have issues with razor burn this razor might be a cure. If you have issues with sensitive skin you might find this useful. If you are a gadget guy this razor will keep you fiddling for days. If speed shaving is your thing, this'll float your boat. The shave is almost mindless. All but impossible to nick yourself. You get the feel of a cartridge razor but get to choose what brand of DE blade goes into it. Let's see some names added to the list!

The Leaf has proven to be a very interesting razor to say the least.  I've used it for two shaves and I have to say, although this'll not replace my other beloved razors, I am more than a bit impressed with its design.  Loading the razor is not the easiest but it's not too difficult either.  I cracked 2 Polsilvers in half and put a blade on all three positions.  I wanted to get a feel for what the razor was at its full glory.  My assessment so far is that it shaves very similarly to the Gillette Fusion carts I travel with.  You would really have to work at it to get a nick or cut.  I have never been a fan of pivoting head razors as it seems to me that once the razor blade meets the resistance of a whisker, the whole head wants to lift off my face which changes the angle of attack.  To combat this I either have to press harder or hold the razor head from swiveling with my forefinger.  The razor with three blades loaded is mild to say they least. I have found that a thinner, wetter lather seems to work best for me with this razor.  Thick and cushioning lather seems to not let the head engage my skin to efficiently whereas thinner lather still provides slickness but not "lift". The resulting shaves have been acceptable but not stellar.  There is zero blade feel and blade gap and exposure are minimal.  I had no clogging issues or stubble build up issues with the thinned out lather.  Due to slick soap and mild razor I could go over trouble areas multiple times without relathering.  But that also meant that "I had to go over places multiple times" to get near the closeness I enjoy.  I shave daily and face lather.  Used Latha first shave and Dr. Selbys today.  I'll try a puck of trumpers new formula tomorrow as it is super slick with vaporizing lather. Might be just the ticket.  

Now my wife on the other hand loves this razor.  Her daily driver is a Muhle R89.  She uses it every other day.  This morning I cracked up some Personna lab blues and whipped her up a loose lather.  She was hesitant about tackling a new razor, especially one with three blades but once she got started she was very impressed.  She loves the floating head and the longer handle.  She commented on "not having to pay attention to angles".  When done she told me the shave was as good or better than those she gets from the R89 and that it took 50% less time to shave.  She had me order one today.  Hey fellas.  If your lady is hesitant to shave old school, the Leaf might be the answer.

I mentioned to my wife a week or two ago that she should give my leaf a try as well. I'm not sure if she has yet and I forgot to check in with her to see if she did give it a whirl. I think this razor will be real popular with women since it has the pivoting head and a long, thin handle...makes switching from a cartridge to a DE razor almost seamless...and cheaper in the long run.