Thread: Masto Livi Ralf Aust et al

I've just received my new Ralf Aust 6/8 French point and had my first shave with it, it's a lovely razor and feels similar to my Dovo Masters, but with a far better finish. My Mastro Livi Grifetto however, is in a different league, it shaves beautifully and inspires confidence for me as a relative newbie. I seem to have far more control and it glides through the whiskers like butter with no tendency to 'skip' which the others have. I did the second pass with the ML as I was not that confident with the RA. Does anyone know what the grind profile on the Grifetto is, because it's a real stunner.
Before any one asks, the RA was direct from the manufacturers and I gave it 60 careful strops before using it so it was a very keen edge.

Mastro Livi Grfifetto is a full hollow expressly ground in a way to comfortably shave every type of beard, including tough and hard beard. It was also created both for beginners and experienced shavers.

I have both and until I got my first Mastro Livi I thought the Aust to be one of the best razors available. I presently have 2. It holds an excellent edge. When I first shaved with my Mastro Livi I was hooked. Shaved smooth as silk. Great quality and the workmanship has no equal. Needs very little maintenance. I do 7-10 laps on an English Leather modular strop after each shave more because I convinced myself it helps the blade. Truth, doesn't need lapping. If you can afford one, the Mastro Livi is the Rolls Royce of straight razors. I have 2 with another on the way next week. I shave with both the Austs and Livi's in my rotation but could stay with the Mastro Livi and never want to shave with another razor.

Livi makes a very nice razor, I have a few but so do Zowada and Williams and a host of other custom makers. I have found they all shave great and so do a host of other razors of lower pedigree. You never know. Sometimes an old Eboy special will beat them all.

I have found over the years the custom class razors are for those who prize the workmanship and exclusivity of the pieces and of course can afford them. However, you don't have to spend the big bucks to get a super great shave.

I'm not trying to detract from Livi's work at all but I don't want the members to think you have to spend a lot of money to get the same result.

I found the Aust and of all razors my Genco's to offer exceptional shaves. I could be very happy just using them to shave daily. As you said, the custom razors are a luxury. Not only do I enjoy shaving with my Livi's, just holding them and looking at the workmanship makes the cost worth while to me. Old fashioned quality and craftsmanship. Nice in a mass produced world and the razors mentioned are not maid in China.

I love the shave of my Livi, but I am not sure it is all that much better than some vintage blades! (As mentioned above) But...the finish is perfect, the grind is perfect, and the scales are perfect!

My Livi Grifetto has olive wood scales (see SRD for pics) and I wouldn't class it as a work of art, sure it's a good looking razor, but what does make it special is the blade, it's very simple, no firework or etching, just a wonderful grind and a great shave.

Having worked for a Japanese company and spending time in Japan, I noticed their blades for the most part are functional, very well made and have outstanding performance, i.e. the Feather razors. Not fancy. That is what I noticed with the Mastro Livi. The blades are exceptional, the balance and finish superb, but most of all as you said, they give a very smooth, close shave. I have a RW34 stainless with a beautiful rare wood scales and another on the way with deer antler scales. Still I marvel at the blade and shave coupled with his old school pride and workmanship.

Nice writeup DMA. I hope to get me a Mastro Livi as soon as I get the money. I did have a few dollars saved & wanted the one jkatzman got but he won it. I'm happy it was someone from here who got it. Another will come along hopefully soon.

Originally Posted by engine46

Nice writeup DMA. I hope to get me a Mastro Livi as soon as I get the money. I did have a few dollars saved & wanted the one jkatzman got but he won it. I'm happy it was someone from here who got it. Another will come along hopefully soon.

The are pricey but I think the entry level ones are worth the money The decorated and rarer versions are super nice, but if I spend more than a few hundred dollars on a razor I have a feeling I won't use it!