Thread: Any thoughts on this Mastro Livi

Originally Posted by razorguy

Really? Ask me if I would sell any of my Mastro Livi for the half of what I paid! I guess you would sell your Mastro Livi-Takeda for just 300$ or so: I am sure a lot of people would be interested in that!



How do you know? :-)

I know because I've sold some and they simply do not have much of a resale value and that's for pieces in mint condition. It's not only his it's others too. Unless it's from a really well known knifemaker like Zowada you'll take a bath.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I know because I've sold some and they simply do not have much of a resale value and that's for pieces in mint condition. It's not only his it's others too. Unless it's from a really well known knifemaker like Zowada you'll take a bath.

With all the due respect, but saying Mastro Livi is not a really well known knifemaker, makes me smile. He makes super high quality knives and razors, he carries on a family heritage about knives, razors, scissors, swords and many other cutting tools, which started early in the 1700s. He is one of the very few here in Italy who is capable of honing microtome blades and he does that by hand, just his hands and a grinder.
Mastro Livi indisputably is the one who started everything about the "custom straight razor" making: I am sure without him the world of artisan straight razor would not be the one we know it today. And his razors are looked for by most of the wet shavers in the world.
As far as I can tell, no one in the world did what Mastro Livi did in 60 years of passionate commitment for his job and straight razors. And he keeps on developing new ideas and new ways about steels and razors, last but not the least, the breathtaking "CarboInox" and, as far as I can tell, I have never seen anything similar in the straight razor scene.

Originally Posted by kcb5150

You do take a hit on the secondary market if you need to move one of his customs but that goes for almost any custom maker... It's a custom tailored piece after all so anyone else buying it is probably not getting exactly what they want so it isn't totally fair to say it is a quality issue...

That has not been my experience. Maybe it is like the old thing my best friend's father told me about horse racing tracks ..... "Never take 'scared money' to a race track."

IOW, if you really need the money bad, sell something else, not your custom razor.

Also. i've had a number of Livi razors. Never had one with spine wear that was particularly noticeable, and they all shaved like a dream. I've sold a few, and did not lose money on them, but I'm getting old and figure I'd rather benefit from the estate sale than whoever comes in here and finds my carcass someday. Still have 3 and glad of it.

Just WOW! Gorgeous razors!

Originally Posted by razorguy

With all the due respect, but saying Mastro Livi is not a really well known knifemaker, makes me smile. He makes super high quality knives and razors, he carries on a family heritage about knives, razors, scissors, swords and many other cutting tools, which started early in the 1700s. He is one of the very few here in Italy who is capable of honing microtome blades and he does that by hand, just his hands and a grinder.
Mastro Livi indisputably is the one who started everything about the "custom straight razor" making: I am sure without him the world of artisan straight razor would not be the one we know it today. And his razors are looked for by most of the wet shavers in the world.
As far as I can tell, no one in the world did what Mastro Livi did in 60 years of passionate commitment for his job and straight razors. And he keeps on developing new ideas and new ways about steels and razors, last but not the least, the breathtaking "CarboInox" and, as far as I can tell, I have never seen anything similar in the straight razor scene.

I'm not saying he isn't a knife maker extraordinaire. All I'm saying is if you put one of his razors up on Eboy in the U.S the response will not be what you think. Put up a Zowada and they will fight over it.

Can't insert photo from my phone.

That is identical to my Livi except mine came as a set with loom strop and brush with stag handles also.

Originally Posted by mrsell63

Can't insert photo from my phone.

Originally Posted by mrsell63

That is identical to my Livi except mine came as a set with loom strop and brush with stag handles also.

Here ya go ........... ( an 8/8 ladder damascus)

Attachment 198464

Attachment 198462

Thanks to Jimmy for posting photos of my LIVI Set. He is the previous owner and I think Lynn A. had it before him. According to the story I remember hearing, I am approximately the fourth owner of this beautiful set. I might add that the razor is a purely fantastic shave machine. I am the last owner while I live. Thanks again Jimmy ...............

@Razorguy,

On Mastro Livi's loom strops, what is the yellow colored material?

TIA