Thread: Honing the Mastro Livi way

From the first Mastro Livi razor I purchased, I've been very interested in the Livi way of honing. He sets the bevel on a 3k Japanese wetstone. Then back and forth laps on a coticule under running water. No slurry. In fact, Mastro Livi like some other razor manufacturers discourage slurry. He then finishes or polishes the edge using a Arkansas tranlucent stone. The final finishing is done with his loom strop using Chrox on fine linen then his amazing leather. I have marveled at how sharp his razors are when delivered. Yesterday I took an old Genco razor and used the Livi honing technique. I don't have Mastro Livi's 55 years of experience but I got an amazing edge that shaves very smooth. I am determined to see the limit I can push this using the coticule under running water. Next step is to try the honing under running water using a JNat instead of the coticule. Like to hear if anyone else has tried the Master's honing technique and your results.

Never have tried it but have seen a few vids of it being done, I’m quite sure he knows what he’s doing but for me I don’t like to just rush thru the process of honing, yes we all know fast honing is possible but where’s the enjoyment in that.

Whatever he does really works.
I have one of his razors, and it came with a killer edge.

Pete <:-}

I know I've seen a video of him using the Coti under running water,

I know this is not it though, but probably somewhat of the same progression

Gentlemen.
No matter what it's bevel is set on and what is in-between, it's a CrOx edge..
You betcha it's sharp!

We've discussed this on and off over the years.

Livi has been doing this a very long time and he has developed his own way of doing things which works for him very well.

We've seen folks who seemingly do things all wrong and yet the results pan out for these folks and if we tried to do it their way it simply wouldn't have the same outcome.

Really Livi isn't doing things "wrong" he just has his own twist on tried and true methods.

I've had a number of his razors over the years and save one all had a wicked sharp edge on it. The one that didn't was a group buy here and I'm convinced looking at the razor somehow it got out of sync in the production line and was never honed past a bevel.

I have never tried one of his razors with his edge, so I can't comment first hand

Looking at his video is is almost a how to no hone.

He flips the "wrong" way, I would bet his heel is severely lacking in sharpness as it barely spends any time on the stone.

He strops on the loom strop like he hates the razor, and the razor kicked his dog.

But in the end, there really is no wrong way as long as you get there.

The dry shave at the end is crazy, but if you notice he tests the toe and uses the toe to shave.

Originally Posted by Doc226

I have never tried one of his razors with his edge, so I can't comment first hand

Looking at his video is is almost a how to no hone.

He flips the "wrong" way, I would bet his heel is severely lacking in sharpness as it barely spends any time on the stone.

He strops on the loom strop like he hates the razor, and the razor kicked his dog.

But in the end, there really is no wrong way as long as you get there.

The dry shave at the end is crazy, but if you notice he tests the toe and uses the toe to shave.

Could not have said it better myself.
I deem it razor abuse, but HEY! I don't make razors either.........

I remember watching a few of his videos years ago when I first started shaving with a straight.

I also remember thinking that what he was doing was exactly the opposite of what I was being taught.

It was kinda puzzling at the time.

Pete <:-}

With the camera rolling, likely a good bit of Italian 'showing off'?
I am not convinced that treatment would shave at all.....JMO.