Thread: My Mastro Livi razor, at last: a wonderful life experience!

the picture is nice but maybe 'cause it's a problem that I also have, it seems to me that the master has many more' hair!!


just jokes, the razor with stainless damascus forged by master Livi is fantastic. Try to think of a nice handle!

Originally Posted by stefanosup

the picture is nice but maybe 'cause it's a problem that I also have, it seems to me that the master has many more' hair!!


just jokes, the razor with stainless damascus forged by master Livi is fantastic. Try to think of a nice handle!

Right! It seems Mastro Livi has more hair than the one depicted in the paint! :-)
As for the razor, it is a carbon damascus steel, not a stainless steel. I am thinking about the scales and I want them to beautifully match the color of the steel. That's why I did not made the decision yet. I guess I will make this decision as the blade is finished and ready. I was however thinking about light colored scales.

o.k. I expect to see the photos and then I clone your razor!
You know choose pairings really beautiful!
I'll see the masterpiece with attention!!

Originally Posted by stefanosup

o.k. I expect to see the photos and then I clone your razor!
You know choose pairings really beautiful!
I'll see the masterpiece with attention!!

I guess you will be seeing it in person...

This afternoon I went to Mastro Livi workshop as he was supposed to continue working on my new Damascus steel razor. Something I forgot to tell, is the Damascus steel Mastro Livi made for my next razor is made of 100 layers in total. He started from a 25 layers billet which he then forged and folded two times, for a total of 100 layers. The straight razor will be a full hollow ground, something Mastro Livi is a master in making and it is something he completely makes by hand. No machines no assisted grindings, the whole work is made by hand, from the making of the billet to stropping.
When I arrived to Mastro Livi workshop, he was forging a couple of special carbon Damascus steel he will use for some razors. When he was done forging those billets, he resumed working on my next Mastro Livi razor. The razor is not finished yet but I guess it will be very soon. For the moment, I am posting the pictures of day #2.

Drilling the hole for the scales




Cutting the tang



Cutting the tang

The shape of the blade is now defined




Flattening the tang




Flattening and polishing the tang

The shape of the blade is now fully defined




Third grinding the the blade. The razor is going to be a real full hollow ground and, as usual, all the grinding will be done by hand. Pure art, pure talent, pure skill and mastery




The blade at the end of the third grinding. At this point we decided to call it a day. The blade will however undergo a fourth and fifth grinding. This one will be a real full hollow ground!

If nothing else, it's very nice to see the relationship you're building with Mastro Livi, insofar as that he allows you to visit him regularly and photograph and document, not only work that you have commissioned yourself, but whatever he happens to be working on at the time.

It's very nice to see you share this stuff and also to see a master such as himself in action.

Originally Posted by PigHog

If nothing else, it's very nice to see the relationship you're building with Mastro Livi, insofar as that he allows you to visit him regularly and photograph and document, not only work that you have commissioned yourself, but whatever he happens to be working on at the time.

It's very nice to see you share this stuff and also to see a master such as himself in action.

I am lucky enough to live just few miles from his workshop and I know Mastro Livi would welcome everyone in his workshop like he does with me. He is a very nice and friendly man. I understand I am lucky for the fact I live not so far from his workshop, I can go there often and Mastro Livi is always so kind and gentle (not to mention, very patient!!!) in answering all of my questions about straight razors and shaving.
There are many gentlemen in this forum who visited Mastro Livi and I guess they could say the very same. And this is what I am wishing you, to come to Perugia and visit Mastro Livi: you will never regret that!

One of these days I'll come out for a holiday. It's on my to-do list. :P