If you've been thinking about swapping out your disposable razors or razor blades fro all all-metal lasts-a-lifetime razor, but you aren’t sure where to start, we wrote this blog just fo ryou.

Cedar & Sage Mercantile is an authorized Leaf Razor retailer right here in Fort Collins, stocking both Twig and Leaf razors, blade refills, and accessories both in-store and online with nationwide shipping available.

Making the shift from disposable cartridge razors to reusable metal razors is a practical, cost-effective, and better for your skin.

The average person goes through 7-10 disposable razors per year, and those cartridge refills aren't much better since the plastic housing gets tossed every time. 

That's plastic that doesn't biodegrade, can't be effectively recycled, and piles up in landfills for centuries. 

And that doesn’t even touch on how improperly disposed of blades can cause serious harm and death to local wildlife.

A single reusable metal razor, on the other hand, can last you 20+ years with proper care. You're replacing one small steel blade instead of chucking an entire plastic handle or cartridge every few weeks.

Disposable razors and cartridge refills are more expensive because you're paying for convenience packaging and brand marketing. 

A pack of four cartridge refills can easily run $15-25 depending on the brand. 

Replacement blades for Leaf razors? You can get 50 blades for under $15, each blade lasts multiple shaves, and you don’t need brand-specific refills!  

Do the math over a year and the savings add up fast, especially if you're shaving regularly.

Cartridge razors often have moisturizing strips, multiple blades stacked together, and pivoting heads marketed " for sensitive skin." 

In reality, those extra blades can cause irritation by needing multiple passes over the same spot, and the lubricating strips often contain ingredients that cause reactions for people who do have sensitive skin.

As long as you use a shave cream and don’t just shave with water, reusable metal razors give you direct control over blade angle and pressure, which means less irritation, fewer ingrown hairs, and a cleaner shave once you get the hang of it.

How much more satisfying is any job done a well-made tool??

Leaf razors are designed and manufactured to last, with solid metal construction, smooth pivoting mechanisms, and finishes that hold up to daily use in the shower. 

They feel heavy and substantial in your hand in a way disposable plastic never will.

When people ask if Leaf razors are actually worth switching to, the comparison comes down to a few key factors: waste, cost, and performance. 

Let’s go one by one so you can see how the reusable razors stack up against disposables in every category.

It might be obvious that anything reusable lowers plastic waste but a single Leaf razor eliminates decades of it.

Disposable razors and cartridge refills generate approximately 2 billion pounds of plastic waste annually in the US alone!

Each disposable razor takes around 500 years to decompose in a landfill (if it decomposes at all), and the vast majority of razor plastic can't be recycled due to mixed materials and embedded blades.

And again, that’s not even considering wildlife or domestic animals that could get into the trash, ingest those plastic razor refills and experience serious harm and death.

Leaf razors on the other hand, use replaceable steel blades that are fully recyclable. You collect used blades in a recycling tin, then drop them off at a metal recycling facility when the tin is full. 

Winner: Leaf razor, by a mile.

This is a pretty big one for a lot of people because reusable razors have a more significant up front cost.

So let's say you buy a mid-range disposable razor pack for $12 and replace it every 6-8 weeks. That's roughly $78-104 per year. Cartridge razor users spend even more, $100-200+ annually on refills alone depending on the brand.

A Leaf Razor costs between $75-109 upfront depending on the model. After that, all you're buying blades. A 50-pack of blades costs around $13 and can last 6-12 months depending on your shaving frequency. 

So with the Leaf over a five year period, you'll spend roughly $175-200 total on a razor and blades combined, compared to $500-1000+ on disposables or cartridges.

Winner: over time, Leaf is the clear winner but if a $75-109 upfront investment isn’t in your budget, the reusable razor with disposable blades is still better than the disposable razor.

Cartridge razors use 3-5 blades stacked closely together, which often means multiple cutting passes in one stroke, especially for coarse or longer hairs.

Those "moisturizing strips" on cartridges also contain synthetic ingredients that can trigger reactions or clog pores.

For people with sensitive skin or anyone prone to razor burn, this causes redness, bumps, and irritation. 

Leaf razors on the other hand, if used correctly (with shave cream, not just water!) once you learn the right technique (which takes maybe two or three shaves to figure out), most people report significantly less irritation and fewer ingrown hairs.

Winner: Leaf reusable razors

This one is a big one for us. We hate making an initial purchase only to be locked into that brand's refills, and their prices.

And cartridge razor companies have you locked into their system. You buy the handle, then you're stuck buying their specific refills forever because nothing else fits. 

Leaf razors though, use standard double-edge blades that are are nonbranded, widely available, and competitively priced. You're not dependent on one brand or forced to pay premium prices. 

You can buy Leaf-brand blades from us, or any brand from any other retailer, or anywhere safety razor blades are sold, and they'll all work just fine.

Winner: Leaf razor

So we all agree right? 

As long as the initial investment is doable for you, the Leaf reusable is the far superior option in literally every category. So let’s talk about how to choose which Leaf razor is the one for you. 

Choosing between Leaf's three razor models depends on what you're shaving, your experience level, and what kind of control you prefer.

The flagship Leaf Triple Blade Razor uses three stacked single-edge blades with a pivoting head, designed to mimic the feel of a cartridge razor while eliminating the plastic waste and cost. 

It's the easiest transition for people switching from disposables because the shaving motion is familiar and the learning curve isn’t very steep.

The pivoting head adjusts to your body's contours, making it ideal for legs, underarms, and head shaving where you're covering larger areas or navigating curves. 

You load it with 1-3 blades depending on how close a shave you want, and the magnetic click system makes blade changes quick and safe.

Cedar and Sage carries the Leaf Triple Blade in Black, Chrome, and Prism finishes, so you can pick something that matches your bathroom aesthetic or your personal color preference.

The Twig is Leaf's single-edge precision razor, designed for detailed work and maximum control. 

If you're shaving your face, trimming edges, or prefer a closer shave with more deliberate strokes, this is the one you’re gonna want to grab.

The Twig's slim profile and exposed blade design give you direct feedback on angle and pressure, which means a bit more learning curve if you're new to safety razors but also means a ridiculously close shave once you've got it down. 

It uses half a double-edge blade (you literally snap standard blades in half), which makes replacements even cheaper than the Triple Blade Razor.

Available in Black and Spruce, the Twig is especially popular with people who shave their face or anyone who wants that traditional barbershop-quality shave at home.

If you're looking for a classic safety razor experience without the premium price tag of the Leaf or Twig, this Traditional Double Edge is a solid option.

It's a simple razor that uses standard double-edge blades and delivers a clean shave with just a bit more technique required than the Leaf.

This is the most budget-friendly entry point into reusable shaving, and it works great for people who want simplicity, durability, and proven design. 

Again, the learning curve is steeper than the Leaf Triple Blade Razor since there's no pivoting head, but plenty of people prefer the control that comes with a fixed head once they're comfortable with the angle.

If you already own a metal safety razor or want to opt for a full starter pack, you can buy replacement blades and accessories locally at Cedar & Sage.

We stock 50-blade and 100-blade refill packs, both of which will last most people months to a full year depending on shaving frequency. Blades are universal-fit double-edge, so they work with virtually any safety razor on the market.

The blade recycling tin is fantastic if you care about proper disposal. 

You drop used blades into the tin through the slot on top (no handling sharp edges), and when it's full, you recycle the entire tin at a metal recycling facility. It's a small thing, but it’s a safe and easy way to keep blades out of the trash.

We also carry shower holders (magnetic mounts that keep your razor within reach and properly drained), travel cases for the Leaf and Twig (for TSA-friendly packing), and dermaplaner refills if you're into facial dermaplaning for exfoliation.

Location: Inside Edwards House Inn, Downtown Fort Collins

402 W Mountain Avenue, Fort Collins CO 80521

We're easy to find whether you're walking from the CSU campus, biking through downtown, or driving in from anywhere in Northern Colorado.

Street parking is available, and if you're ordering online for pickup, just let us know when you're stopping by and we'll have your order ready!

Want to see Leaf razors in person before buying?

Come in and we'll show you how they work, explain the differences between models, and help you figure out which setup makes the most sense for your needs.

If you'd rather order online and have it shipped, we've got you covered there too—blades, razors, and accessories all ship nationwide.

Where can I buy Leaf Razor in Fort Collins?

Cedar & Sage Mercantile carries the full Leaf Razor line including the Triple Blade Razor, Twig Single-Edge Razor, and Traditional Double Edge Safety Razor, plus blade refills and accessories. 

We're located inside Edwards House Inn in downtown Fort Collins, and we also offer online ordering with nationwide shipping.

Does Cedar & Sage carry Leaf Razor blade refills?

Yes, we stock both 50-blade and 100-blade packs, plus blade recycling tins, shower holders, razor cases, and other accessories. 

If you already own a Leaf Razor or any other safety razor, you can pick up refills locally instead of waiting for online orders.

Is Leaf Razor good for sensitive skin?

Leaf razors tend to cause less irritation than cartridge razors because you control blade angle and pressure directly, and there are no synthetic moisturizing strips that can trigger reactions. 

The Leaf Triple Blade Razor's pivoting head makes it particularly gentle for people transitioning from disposables, and many users with sensitive skin report fewer ingrown hairs and less razor burn once they adjust to the technique. Just make sure you’re using a good shave cream, water won’t cut it!

How much does Leaf Razor cost compared to disposable razors?

A Leaf Razor costs $75-109 upfront depending on the model, then around $13 for a 50-pack of blades that lasts months. Over five years, you'll spend roughly $175-200 total compared to $500-1000+ on disposable or cartridge razors. The initial cost is higher, but the long-term savings are significant.

Do you ship Leaf Razor outside Colorado?

Yes, we ship nationwide. Whether you're in Fort Collins or across the country, you can order Leaf razors, blades, and accessories online and have them delivered to your door.