Thread: Mastro Livi Razor Club

Well for me shaving with a Mastro Livi for the first time is like going from a Mg Metro car and hoping into a Rolls Royce's, quality and perfection with an individuality to every razor he makes not to mention an attention to detail that has no match. I have sold all my other razors as of last night and have literally just sent an email for enquire about another razor order. I already have another on order with him along with a loom strop.
I'm my opinion he has no rival but that's what personal taste is all about.

However I can promise you this you certainly won't be disappointed

Hi, mastro livi's razors are, in my opinion, the best in a tecnical way because he builds them for 60 years, and before him his father, his grandpa and other few generation before them. That' way they are perfect.
The fact they are also really beautifull is because he is an artist...i would say more similar to michelangelo, instead of picasso...because, like him, when he see the steel billet he can already imagine the razor.
This is being an artist.

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

I'd really like to hear everyones' opinions on this. Cheers, Andrew

AndrewJM,
your comment certainly makes a lot of sense, at least to me. You mentioned just few of the great razor maker we know of and they all certainly make excellent straight razors. Joe Chandler, Robert Williams, Max Sprecher and Charlie Lewis all make beautiful razors for sure. And, as far as I can tell, it seems they all know how to make a great razor. After all, they have a huge number of followers and I am sure this is not by chance: their razors are absolutely magnificent in every aspect.
I understand I may be seen a little (or a lot) biased to Mastro Livi razors: I know him personally, I am honored to say he is a friend of mine, I know he truly is both an artist and a talented artisan. It is also true he has a truly long experience on straight razors and knives, carrying on a family heritage started in 1700s. To me, Mastro Livi razors are the very best you can get, but I must also say the straight razor makers you mentioned are very good as well.
As for prices, it seems they all fall, more or less, in the same price range, so it is not a matter of money, I guess.
It may also be exclusivity, like you say, but Mastro Livi has more than 60 years of experience in this field: I think it is almost impossible to tell how many straight razors he made and how many straight razors he honed, reground or restored. After all, he started honing knives when he was 5 and started honing and regrinding straight razors when he was about 14.
I am a straight razor collector and restorer (of course, I am not even one millionth as good as Mastro Livi in restoring a razor) and I guess I used hundreds of straight razors for shaving: vintage, brand new and artisan made. To me, nothing shaves better than Mastro Livi razors. This is my opinion, of course and I do not want, in any way, to criticize or deny the razors of the other fine makers you mentioned: they all are very good and excellent.
Of course, watching the making of your razors definitely is amazing and I can tell it is however amazing to watch Mastro Livi at work, no matter it is your razor or not.
Finally, I believe it is also a matter of personal taste, choice and feeling, of course Mastro Livi is not the only one, but he certainly is the one who started it all. He has been the very first one to start the "custom razor" era and this is a fact. This does not mean he is the best, but I believe his experience, family heritage, talent, skill, knowledge and wisdom can make a difference. Despite of this, I believe the other razors makers you mentioned have proved to make excellent razors as well.
In case you will ever come to Italy and want to meet Mastro Livi I will be very glad to help you with the language and to take you to his workshop: I know you will be touched both by the man and the artist and, last but not the least, you will be absolutely amazed by his deep knowledge about straight razors and shaving.

Originally Posted by razorguy

In case you will ever come to Italy and want to meet Mastro Livi I will be very glad to help you with the language and to take you to his workshop: I know you will be touched both by the man and the artist and, last but not the least, you will be absolutely amazed by his deep knowledge about straight razors and shaving.

Antonello and other posters have hit the nail on the head. Anyone wanting to have an unforgettable experience should take up Antonello's offer.

Sorry not been in touch much recently Antonello, lot going on as you know. Still loving every shave with my Mastro Livi razors and look fondly on the photos from my visit. I'm going to try to come visit again this year for sure.

So my fellow Mastro lovers, what's your favourite soap to accompany your blade

Originally Posted by Samadam

So my fellow Mastro lovers, what's your favourite soap to accompany your blade

No doubt about it: P.160!

I am too young and that soap does not do more 'for too long. Martin de Candre forever. And 'incomparable.

For me it's Santa Maria Novella (both old and new formula)

Originally Posted by Samadam

So my fellow Mastro lovers, what's your favourite soap to accompany your blade

My go to soap is either Cella or Proraso

Originally Posted by jodypress

For me it's Santa Maria Novella (both old and new formula)

Well, Jody, you know you're killing me with this picture, you know that, right? And, no, I am not talking about the after shave!