Thread: Mastro Livi Grifetto Inox 6/8 Olive Wood Arrived!

Originally Posted by coachmike

Pictures would be nice so we can see what you mean and maybe offer solutions.

I don't have the technology to take a magnified picture unfortunately.

Originally Posted by jkatzman

If you look at my Damascus above, because of the layered steel, the bevel doesn't look as even as other Livi's I have that aren't Damascus. The edge is even and smooth and it shaves like a dream. If it bothers you, invest $25 and send it out to one of the experienced honemeisters to have the bevel set. I just got a Grifetto which under a magnifying glass the bevel isn't as visible as other Livi's but it to shaves great. Mastro Livi has a very unigue way of honing but he sure puts a great shaving edge on his razors.

I am quite sure this is beyond a bevel setting issue. I will try to communicate the Mastro and to see what he says and I will report here with the response.

If you have his loom strop, on the chromium oxide side do 15-20 laps then 20 to 30 laps on the skin side and see what you have. I find his strop really brings out the best in his razors.

Originally Posted by dan656

I purchased a Mastro Livi damascus here on the board and although it is sharp and shaves well, the bevel is very irregular and it just drives me crazy when I take it out and use it. Something is wrong with the grind and I don't know enough about it to say what the problems is other than it is just not right. I have basic honing skills and I have not be able to make any progress, it looks just the same. Since it works well enough and since I have 15 or so other razors so it has not been a pressing enough issue to get bent out of shape about, hence, I have just let it slide, but damn the thing should be perfect. Has anyone had any similar issues and does anyone think that if I go through the considerable effort of sending it to Italy that he will make it right? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Happy New Year, Dan.

What makes you think it has to be perfect? Nothing on the face of this earth is. Man made will never achieve it. But let's see a picture, as for bevels not being perfect, it's still the edge you put on it. I've never heard of any bad edges from the master. So I still would like to see some pictures maybe we could help you with the honing to get it right. Tc

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

What makes you think it has to be perfect? Nothing on the face of this earth is. Man made will never achieve it. But let's see a picture, as for bevels not being perfect, it's still the edge you put on it. I've never heard of any bad edges from the master. So I still would like to see some pictures maybe we could help you with the honing to get it right. Tc

As I said I do not have the equipment to take that sort of photo. Instead of "perfect" perhaps I should have said that it should of a standard equal to that of a Tanifuji, Filarmonica or any other premium production razor. Maybe Damascus steel blades are inherently problematic, I don't know as this is the only one I have. I did read on some artisans website that he will not put an edge on Damascus steel, rather he welds a section of regular carbon steel for the edge when he fabricates the Damascus. I'm not trying to stir up an controversy, rather I wanted to know if anyone had experience communicating with the maker over issues with his work. I my case I purchased the razor used so that in and of itself makes this problematic. I really like the razor and it gives a good shave so I will most likely do nothing other that wonder why the bevel looks as it does when I take it out for the occasional shave.

The damascus I have has an extremely narrow bevel and was purchased new. It in no way affects the quality of the shave. I to asked about it on another forum and was told they will shave great don't worry about the bevel. I have not had to use the chromium oxide side of the loom strop on the damascus, it seems to really hold its edge but on other Livi's 5-7 laps on the chromium oxide and 10-15 laps on the skin brings the edge back to peak performance when the blade starts to tug. Mastro Livi's blades need very little maintenance. I did have a problem with the razor with the Antler scales and Mastro Livi said to return it immediately. The problem was with the scales not the blade. He fixed it and it is perfect. He will stand behind any of his razors without question. He said that's why he puts his name on each razor.

Originally Posted by jkatzman

The damascus I have has an extremely narrow bevel and was purchased new. It in no way affects the quality of the shave. I to asked about it on another forum and was told they will shave great don't worry about the bevel. I have not had to use the chromium oxide side of the loom strop on the damascus, it seems to really hold its edge but on other Livi's 5-7 laps on the chromium oxide and 10-15 laps on the skin brings the edge back to peak performance when the blade starts to tug. Mastro Livi's blades need very little maintenance. I did have a problem with the razor with the Antler scales and Mastro Livi said to return it immediately. The problem was with the scales not the blade. He fixed it and it is perfect. He will stand behind any of his razors without question. He said that's why he puts his name on each razor.

Thank you for the real, I have been thinking about getting a loom strop.

If you purchase the strop, go to the Mastro Livi club web page. they have videos on using the strop correctly and how Mastro Livi laps his razors.

Awesome razor! I have been looking at getting one. Maybe for my bday