Thread: Mastro Livi vs. Robert Williams?

This all brings up an interesting point which I think is a part of human nature. Just think how many times we have bought something and we thought it was the best there is, the cat's meow, and then, we find something else which is a little bit better.

How many of us are using a razor that we would bet a thousand bucks gives the best shave possible and then we find something else and that becomes the cat's meow and then we find something else. For me the maestro was the ultimate in closeness and comfort and I would have bet it impossible to find something better. And then I got the iwasaki and it beat the maestro for closeness (I'm still working on the comfort factor). It makes you think is there a truly ultimate or are we a bunch of Don Quijotes chasing windmills in a futile attempt to find the ultimate quality which does not exist. Maybe we should just settle for a great shave and end this search. What do you think?

Well, what works for one, may not work for another. Different razors by the same manufacturer may even shave different. How you feel that day may change the way it seems to shave. If you like the way it looks and feels, go for it. I like the handmades (both making and accumulating) just because I appreciate the work that goes into them, and they're one of a kind (unless you use a CNC machine to make them). I definitely want a Zowada and Livi one day. Not because they're necessarily better than anything else out there, but because a person used their experience and skill to make it, rather than a machine churning out thousands just like it.

My first razor still gives me the best shaves out there even though I accumulated a couple that come within a c***'s hair. Still, there are some amazing craftsmen that are our members or represented by our members and I'd like to give them all a shot.

Well.....I really was not going to post on this one, but as Robert and Joe have weighed in, I can only say that the compliments regarding Maestro Livi razors are very well deserved. He has set the standard for what all custom razor makers have been and are trying to meet. I have a razor from Joe, Tim Zowada and a razor from Robert and about a dozen from the Maestro razors and my sons are already claiming these. These are some very talented gentlemen and I would have a hard time parting with any of them. As Joe says, it really is about the art and workmanship and it is also about the individual taste that matches to that piece of art.

You guys have fun.

Lynn

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

And you didn't listen to me when I offered the same advice

... sorry? you said something? ...

Originally Posted by syslight

My advice is to buy two of each. Of course from a collecting standpoint, no offense, Maestro Livi is not exactly young anymore (may he live another 50 years),so buying a razor or two of his may be a wise investment.
But if shaving is what you want, the shave quality the RW is wonderful, it is my 4th favorite razor, the others beat it only on sentimentality. the first two are a 6/8 spike Boker that was my grandfather's and a 6/8 Satinwedge that my father gave me when i started shaving, the third is an olive wood 7/8 Maestro Livi, the first costly razor i purchased.

So, wanting all three ... it may be wise to start with the Mastro before he retires!

Originally Posted by adjustme69

Well.....I really was not going to post on this one, but as Robert and Joe have weighed in, I can only say that the compliments regarding Maestro Livi razors are very well deserved. He has set the standard for what all custom razor makers have been and are trying to meet. I have a razor from Joe, Tim Zowada and a razor from Robert and about a dozen from the Maestro razors and my sons are already claiming these. These are some very talented gentlemen and I would have a hard time parting with any of them. As Joe says, it really is about the art and workmanship and it is also about the individual taste that matches to that piece of art.

You guys have fun.

Lynn

Every once in a while I think of posterity too. I'd love to be able to pass down one of my special razors to each son or grandson when the time comes.

I can't really get excited about the new razors coming from DOVO and TI; I hear about too many quality control issues, and yeah, I want to both support the craftsmen and have their artwork as part of my life! I'll probably snag a few W&Bs from eBay for re-scaling, but otherwise save my pennies for a Livi, Williams, Chandler ...

Heck, by the time I have one of each, there's bound to be a few more makers new into the game to check out!

I think we always want to compare A to B to C to see which is the best. First I think its hard to compare the Maestro to a Williams if only because there is such a price difference between them. Second the Maestro razors are more of an Italian design while the Williams are more of a Rough hewn sort of style so they have to be evaluated on their own merits.

I think its safe to say that all of the custom style razors we have available at this time are way better than what is available through the usual suspects and if you are in a financial postion to purchase these you can't go wrong with any of these razors no matter which of these guys made them. And as been said before the shave quality is not the paramount factor because many other razor that cost a fraction of the price shave equally well. It's the custom factor and workmanship that's the key here. I take my hat off to all you custom makers.

Can someone post or pm me the estimated prices of a custom Joe Chandler and/or Robert Williams razors? It's hard to compare with the other custom razors without knowing the price.

And it gives me a reality check if I'll ever be able to get one of those custom beauties.

Originally Posted by pokkuhlag

Can someone post or pm me the estimated prices of a custom Joe Chandler and/or Robert Williams razors? It's hard to compare with the other custom razors without knowing the price.

And it gives me a reality check if I'll ever be able to get one of those custom beauties.

The polite thing to do is to simply send them a PM.
It is not for us to say what they will ask for a custom razor.
And it would depend heavily on what you want for size, grind, scales, ...

I didn't want to give the wrong impression of a potential customer, cause it's probably to expensive for me at this moment. (still a student for one last year (MSc ME))
But it would handy to know how long I'll have to save and with your advice, I've sent them both a pm.

What I can say is, the cost is respective of the design, materials and features you are looking for. The Livi razors are the most expensive, and the Williams and Chandler razors are comparible in price, but only the Williams is high-carbon steel (which some feel is a much better material to shave with, others do not believe this). Personally, I can not wait to try them all! The Livi's can be bought now (unless there is something special you were thinking of that is not offered), while the other two have somewhat of a line to get into before you can have yours made....(sort of like waiting to see Santa )

BUT, with all that said, your best bet is to PM Joe Chandler, and Robert Williams and talk with them on cost, etc.

Good luck, and being a bit of a voyeristic and vicarious group, we'd all like to see what you wind up getting !!

C utz