Maintaining a Mastro Livi Razor Edge
I was talking with a friend of mine who has been using straight razors for the last 40 years. He mentioned that I might lose the really sharp edge using the honing/stropping technique that he and I use on our straight razors. I would hate to do that because I have never felt anything so sharp as this Mastro Livi Grifetto against my face.
I’ve watched the Mastro setting a bevel, honing, and stropping an edge on one of his razors. Unlike most You Tube videos, he doesn’t do 40, 50, 70, or 100 back & forth motions when he is honing or stropping.
I noted he appears to be applying a lot of pressure on his loom strop- first with chromium oxide followed by what I believe to be a plain strop which looked yellow. I figure if I want to keep a sharp edge on my Grifetto, I should try and emulate what the Mastro does.
I’ve been trying to find the ’secret’ to that scary sharp razor edge for a long time <smile>. Some people suggest I need to use the complete set of Shapton glass stones & hone my straight razors up to 30K grit while making sure I constantly keep the Shapton stones flat using the Shapton lapping plate. That is expensive. Having a bunch of expensive stones is more psychological than practical in my humble opinion. I believe technique/muscle memory is the secret. Why should I invest in stones when I could purchase more Mastro Livi razors?
I know a razor edge is about .5 micron thick as measured by Dr John Verhoeven using a scanning electron microscope. So the ’secret’ is what to do in order to achieve it and then maintain it without damaging it. I have a very sharp edge which I want to maintain. It was so good that when I splashed aftershave on my face, the aftershave didn’t burn like it does every time I shave using one of my other straight razors. Perhaps that was just in my head. Nevertheless I would like to maintain the edge.
This is a question I’m almost afraid to ask: Does anyone have any suggestions or have a way to keep a Mastro Livi razor just as sharp as it was when they received it?
Grazie in advance.
1 Attachment(s)
Mastro Livi "Rasoio Italiano" in Artisan Stainless Damascus Steel
Ladies and gentlemen, I am very proud to add to our club my new Mastro Livi razor "Rasoio Italiano". To know more about its making: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ml#post1520152
- Blade: 8/8 Full Hollow, Spanish Point
- Steel: Mastro Livi Artisan Martensitic Stainless Damascus Steel, Zebra Pattern
- Scales: Black African Ebony. Italian Flag inlays: Jade (Green), White Turquoise (White), Coral (Red). Middle plate: Fossil Mammoth Ivory with Jade, White Turquoise and Coral inlays
2 Attachment(s)
Mastro Livi "Pennello Italiano" (Italian Brush)
Gentlemen, I am very proud to add to our club my Mastro Livi "Pennello Italiano" (Italian Brush). To know more, please read here: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...ml#post1531984
Attachment 209427
Mastro Livi Pennello Italiano (Italian Brush) - Silvertip Badger - 24 mm knot
(Front View)
Handle composition (from top to bottom)
- Stainless steel ring
- Olive burl
- Makassar ebony
- Juniper wood
- Pau Violeta
- Two-Color Amboyna Burl
- Italian Flag Inlay: Jade (green), White Turquoise (white), Coral (Red)
- Stainless steel plate hand signed by Mastro Livi
Attachment 209428
Mastro Livi Pennello Italiano (Italian Brush) - Silvertip Badger - 24 mm knot
(Back View)
Notice the red colored amboyna burl in the bottom