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OK, so we've all drooled over the various Livi designs, on the Maestro's own site, on Lynn's, on Iwan's FS threads, etc. (we all have right, it's not just me? :confused: ).
Soooo... if you were to put together your own spec for a Maestro, a one-off, and money was no object, what would you ask for?
Fossilised mammoth ivory scales, abalone inlay on the tang, damascus steel, custom work on the spine... don't hold back!
...and I'm hoping in about 4 months you guys might just see why I'm asking! :w
5/8 frameback, with a sintered boron carbide blade in a damascus frame, and ivory scales.
I want a 6/8s tallonite blade with ebony scales.
:o :o :o :fim:Quote:
Originally Posted by majurey
Having tried several Maestro Livi razors, I'd have to say it'd depend whether it would be a daily user or a show piece. For me, handles made of stag antler, ivory, and even some types of horn are just too heavy and throw the balance of the razor right off - producing way too much torque as you move the razor around your face. Also at the moment I find honing takeda/damascus steels is much more difficult compared to carbon steel.
So, daily user. I'd go for a 6/8 or 7/8 width blade in carbon steel or ATS34, with a nice light olivewood handle.
As a show piece. An 8/8 width blade in either takeda damascus or blue tonge damascus, crust ivory scales with malachite/abalone wedge and inlays.
As a daily user, 5/8 carbon steel, custom work on the spine and custom etching on the blade, something that would incorporate my amateur radio call sign. As far as scales, I like something with a little heft, and something that would remind me of my heritage, so buffalo horn would do the trick.
:D
Good point, Iwan. And I'm going to hedge my bets here. What if you were to spec out a piece which you most definitely would use, say, once a week (a weekender straight for those shaves where you can take as long as you want) BUT because it's going to have sentimental value (just for example, say a 10th anniversary present) you want it to look the biz too?Quote:
Originally Posted by Steelforge
Just hypothetically speaking... :rolleyes:
A 5/8 neo-wootz, figured wenge scales.
or
A 6/8 blue steel, paper micarta scales.
Probably both hollow ground, hammer work visible on the spine. Spike point.
Long monkey tail, hammered spine, barber notch, MOP scales, and amateur radio callsign etched on the blade.
6/8, half-hollow, grip ridges on shank.
Metal: wootz or meteorite
Size: 7/8
Grind: half-hollow
shape: curved like the tooth of a sabre tooth tiger
point: spanish point or barbers notch
scales: wood, same type as Iwans Takeda razor. scales fitting the curve of the blade
jimping on the tang to have a better grip.
Since the razor would hopefully have a future owner (after me) I would want it to have a classic appeal that others could appreciate as well. Initials are out. A Plain 6/8 blade in the Livi style, made of ATS34. As mentioned in earlier posts, heavy scales are not a benefit in a daily shaver so I would prefer some artfully done black ebony scales with a Paua shell wedge, maybe an inlay or two with a classic floral theme. Threaded fasteners for ease of maintenance.
Something I could really enjoy using and that some guy in the future could use and say "man, I wonder where the inspiration for this came from? sure shaves great"
Dave
I'd jump on a Takeda blade in 8/8, No fear of honing it as I already do that :P
Hammered and file work on the spine, Long tail, Canvas Micarta or some of L. R. Harner's (Butch) micarta, wedge black.
I'm new to his work still but off the top of my head :p that would make me drool.
Are there any livi razors that us poor folk could use??
Why, any folk poor or rich can use Livi razors. It's the buying of them that's often out of reach for people! :w
AFFORD!!:thinking:Quote:
Originally Posted by majurey
Well, there are the 'entry level' Livis at 140 pounds a pop (check out vschwager's website). Lynn also sells them, though I don't know the price he asks.
I am sure they are great shavers, but Mastro Livi didn't actually forge them himself. That's kinda like slapping a logo on my citroen and calling it a ferrari.
If you can afford something in that price range (~300$ ) you could contact Robert Williams to see if he could make you one with simple wooden scales.
You can get the Maestro regrinds with wooden handles for $265. They are really nice looking and very nice shavers. I'll try to post a couple more pictures.
Lynn
Pictures would be good.
Fossilised mammoth ivory scales, abalone inlay on the tang, 5/8 damascus steel, custom work on the spine 3 pin...wow...what a razor that would be...ahhhhh someday!
Okay, a Takeda AS steel blade with a long monkey tang and hammer marks on the spine for sure.
My first thougt for scales was mammoth ivory, but if price is no object, then I'll go with lapis lazuli scales with mammoth ivory spacers.
That's a hefty handle, so we'd better make the blade a 8/8.
Does the Mastro do wootz razors? I have so far only found one wootz razor on the web: http://knifenetwork.com/ppost/showph...cat=500&page=1Quote:
Originally Posted by ernestrome
Considering that it is art and an investment I'd go for something that would stand out. As for the handle I love snakewood, and hear that it is long lasting.
I don't really think that it is beyond anyone's price range who is on this forum and not using some library computer. It will just take sacrifices. Go on the wagon, sell some crap you haven't used in a year and stop buying some crap and for every extra buck you save from a coupon you wouldn't have otherwise cut -chuck in in your 'I'm gonna get a kick ass straight razor that defines me' sock.
Then get your best buddy to "give" it to you for Christmas so the woman doesn't ever have to know you just blew her shoe money.
Or maybe persuade your wife to get this for your 10th anniversary present. That does mean she gets to choose hers which will hurt the wallet just as much, but hey, 10 years...Quote:
Originally Posted by Creel
... something's got to make up for that! :p
P.S. Thanks for so many ideas. One of the responses almost fits 100% with what I was leaning towards. I particularly like the Lapis scales idea, but think that might just weigh too much.
I'm suprised so little has been said of what kind of shape blade, round point, spanish, spike, Lou...
Oh tip points?
Anything 5/8 to 6/8 I'd be tempted to French point it
Anything bigger and it would be all about the Spanish point
Like i said it is an investment and a work of art so it needs expression
I've seen some pretty sick spinework so I'd be pushing that hard
I'd want a long lasting handle so bone or snakewood I have heard are among the most long lived and just plain sexy vibes.
But then again what about those clear ones like on Lynn's dvd. Sweet
Lapis? I had thought about the weight problem too ... but recently saw a Williams custom razor for Taz with ivory scales and lapis inlay ... got me thinking and drooling ...Quote:
Originally Posted by majurey
If money is no object, I would do a damascus 8/8 spanish point with scales made of patterned Ivory or Ebony, with fire opal inlays... Kind of a Yin Yang sort of thing...
It's too bad Lynn killed the Straight Razor Design page as now all our speculation, while a fine mental mast... er,exercise, is moot. I'm curious if this means that the Maestro is leaving the custom market and going to larger scale manufacturing - such as for the 30 or so razors he is making for the group buy here.
--so many questions...
This is completely impractical, and does not make any sense from an engineering standpoint at all. BUT, it's a fantasy thread, so get over it :w
I'd like to see a nice 6/8 roundpoint (not so fancy, but I like the way they shave) in some very straight grained damascus.
For the scales, (and here it gets wild) I'd very much like to experiment with some extremely light carbon fiber, with two mounted on pivots so you could have a razor with the same form factor as a balisong knife. If you mounted a third pin on the unsafe handle, you could prevent the edge from striking when closed.
Ridiculous, I know, but I still can't help but think that it would look really cool.
a 7/8 either takeda damascus or ats steel, square point, no stag or antler scales or anything fancy like that something plain the violetwood maybe or olivewood.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steelforge
Bingo...and make mine a square point.
Damascus, oblique point 6/8 to 7/8. The metal of the blade should have good contrast and the scales should NOT detract from the workmanship of the blade. I would think that a very light wood with minimal graining or ivory, maybe bone would work best..
I've got one of his regrinds and it shaves so well that it's almost no fun to shave with.
Quote:
Originally Posted by adjustme69
I'd be interested in knowing a source for one of his regrinds.Quote:
Originally Posted by adjustme69
Thanks!
I believe Lynn's SRD business is a source for the regrinds for the US? You should PM him.
For those on the other side of the pond, you should contact the Maestro direct through his site. You will need to be able to speak Italian though.:(
And don't think the regrinds are confined to wooden or prescribed scales. The Maestro can incorporate any of his scales with the blanks (and last year he had a whole box of blanks without scales).
Huh :thinking:Quote:
Originally Posted by denmason
Changed my mindQuote:
Originally Posted by ernestrome
Would now be AEB-L or 13C26 Blade, or possibly white steel for carbon over blue for the smaller carbides.