Thread: Livi's Honing Setup

Originally Posted by Seraphim

What I take away: I'm not buying one of his razors!

If you are coming to that conclusion based solely on the video you should probably reconsider.....after trying one.

Originally Posted by JimR

What I'm finding, reading through the archives and such, is that those rules were WRITTEN here. A lot of these are things that were developed in cooperation by members here as clear, easily describable ways to teach people how to handle razors. They are not implacable natural laws--and they are not universal. So there's no reason to assume that Mastro Livi does not know what he is doing just because he does not do what we do.

Japanese honers also use very different techniques--circular strokes and using very short, wide hones, ratios for traditional straights etc. but no one doubts the results...

Has anyone gotten a razor from Livi that WASN'T shave ready? That's the question to ask.

Good points.

What is the yellow?

Is it a paste or the color of the leather?

Jerry

It's the leather.

I have a huge number of razors, maybe 170+ - most are very good to great shavers, and a few that are absolutely super shavers. - but, when I shave with my "Levi", I will say to myself OMG, this is incredible! Even though the razor is a bit large for me(8/8), the edge is absolutely like none other. The most fabulous edge!

He can do no wrong! - and he is absolutely "THE MAN"! Yes, I have seen all his stropping and honing videos, and of course, you would not teach these methods, but I respect him more than anyone in our group of shavers and honers.

I have analyzed many great sports figures in regard to their technique doing their thing, and no, we wouldn't teach their method, but boy could they perform. A couple to mention: Arnold Palmer and Babe Ruth's swings. You wouldn't teach their swing, but they were certainly great!

You must admit, Maestro Levi is truley an exception in our craft!

I'm sure we've had similar threads on this in the past. When teaching skills to a novice, standard practices which make it easier to learn the basics provide the structure that's needed for newbies. But those practices certainly aren't the ONLY way to achieve results, and a very experienced practitioner may do things which seem contrary to the 'basics' which we're taught.

An exampl in the UK is learning to drive. Novices are taught never, NEVER!, to cross over their hands on the steering wheel when turning. Instead, the hands should rest on the steering wheel at "ten to two" on a clockface at all times. And when you turn, you shuffle the wheel through the hands.

But one can also take an 'advanced' driving exam in the UK. And guess what they teach you in that? Yep, to turn quickly and effectively, you cross your hands over when turning the wheel. Exactly the opposite of what's taught to beginners.

And whenever I watch that video, that is what I think. Mastro Livi is an advanced driver, and the practices we are told which are dangerous, or risky, or wrong, simply do not apply at that level.

When I went to visit Mastro Livi at his workshop, I witnessed, with surprise, some of his techniques. Techniques which screamed to me: "your edge will be for sh*t!". Two years on it is still by far the best edge I have (with minimal maintenance required over that time).

I have no idea what scratch pattern Livi blades put through that progression have, I don't know the metalurgic properties of his steel, and I really have no idea as to how hand stropping affects the edge if at all. All I know is, the shaves I receive from a Livi are unsurpassed. So I guess he must be doing it right, his own way!

I'm the noob, does Livi have a website? Also is he a maker and/or sharpener?

Oh yes!!!
Coltelleria d'arte e affilature di Livi Luca - Coltelli e rasoi artistici forgiati a mano | Mastro Livi e Luca Livi | Artistic Knives and razors

when I saw that video before I owned a Livi I didn't know what to think, obviously he has a great reputation but it looked unbelievable that it would work, now after owning a Livi I am truly amazed by the craftsmanship attention to detail and the edge and have another on order.

fwiw I got a DVD with mine also but the videos above are not part of it,

I've gotten 4 different dvd's from him. I think the clip above was included but I'm not entirely certain as it's been awhile since I watched them.