Thread: Mastro Livi Damascus up for auction

Just noticed this listed this morning. It's too expensive for me but thought someone on here might want it!Refurbished Straight Razor | eBay

I'd have to run that by Lynn or Don for confirmation. I know Mastro didn't sign his early razors but that is unlike any I've seen by him and I've seen quite a few.

The grinding is kind of sloppy, as are the jimps, but I haven't seen any of livi's razors in person so I don't know if he does that on purpose so that you know they're artisan made, or if he's more tidy about that kind of stuff.

It looks like it's seen some rust, too, it's got pinholes all over the front and down onto the bevel.

I'm no expert on pattern welding either, but the tang suggests that it's hammered out of a timing chain or something, rather than folded and hammer welded flat stock.

This might be one to shy away form.
No case, looks a little rough for Livi etc.
Most of the ones that I've seen on the bay come with documentation if they are anywhere near this price point.
Maybe Livi is going to be the next "Huge Monster Chopper" for a few months...

IMHO I don't think there is any doubt that this is a Livi. The shape of the blade and stabalizer, the way the steel has been intentionally decorated, etc. With that said, It is definitely a little worse for ware. At $400, it's probably around the right price. All the Livi's i'm seeing online are far pricier than that including a MASSIVE 12/8ths for 1400 euros.

He says it originally came with plastic scales. I've never seen a Livi with plastic scales.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

He says it originally came with plastic scales. I've never seen a Livi with plastic scales.

+1. I checked out his completed items and he has another razor he sold with one piece wooden scales and stainless pin. I suppose he makes scales, or used after market replacements. A Livi, which he spelled incorrectly, damascus, is, and always was, an expensive razor. Way more $ than a non pattern welded blade.

I'm surprised that whoever owned that originally didn't keep the wooden case and the certificate that they all came with. OTOH judging from the honewear and the original scales being gone they didn't take very good care of it.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

He says it originally came with plastic scales. I've never seen a Livi with plastic scales.

Run away! Run away Bravely!
There will be others...

If I were thinking about bidding on that razor (I am not) I would take a quick look on google image by searching "mastro livi damascus".

I don't see any razors that look like that one, all of livi's damascus razors (that command more money) are much more artfully done, more precise and the pattern is much more elegant.

This one, while it could be from anyone as experimental, including livi (who knows what he might do when he's just trying a concept), looks like it was hammered out of something that was high carbon and fluxed (like a timing chain), and the jimps look like they were done either with a hacksaw or a slotting cutter.

If I were looking for a livi, I personally wouldn't chance it on that. I think most discerning makers will rely on folding layers of steel to get a pattern that doesn't look like it repeats.

Anyone with a power hammer (or even a strong arm) and a heat source can pound together a high carbon chain and acid etch it. Not everyone would have something to grind a razor like that, but Livi would have to claim it personally for me to believe it's livi.

I'm at work right now and have limited internet privelages (military computer), when I get home in an hour I'll message the seller and see what he's got to say.