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Well gentlemen, I am going to do it again. Tomorrow I am going to Mastro's workshop and I will watch him making my new Mastro Livi razor. I ordered a new one and tomorrow it is going to be a new great day. Of course, I will bring my camera with me and I will shoot a video of the making which I will post, sooner or later, in my Youtube channel.
I guess I will post pictures of my new mastro Livi soon. Very soon. Stay in touch! :)
Nice! Looking forward to seeing it.
Another wonderful day to treasure in my heart. Not only because I spent another full day in company of Mastro Livi, a remarkable experience for any straight razor lover, a day in which I learned so many things about steel, straight razors, honing, stropping and watched the genesis of a straight razor. My straight razor. My new Mastro Livi razor.
After a full day during which I could see how Mastro can make a remarkable masterpiece of art from a bare steel bar and a tiny piece of wood, tonight I had the honor to receive from Mastro Livi's hands the razor I ordered to him.
Like all the previous razors I ordered to him, it has been an unforgettable experience and Mastro Livi has been very kind and open to my requests about how I wanted my new straight razor, of course, under his valuable and authoritative guidance.
I wanted my new Mastro Livi to have a strong Umbrian mark, Umbria is the region where both Mastro Livi and I live in, therefore I wanted the scales of my new razors to be made in olive tree wood, the main and most common tree of our wonderful and beautiful Umbrian hills.
As for the rest, everything is Umbrian in this razor, except the steel which is the only element not truly made in Umbria but however tempered and ground in my region. I will call this "the Umbrian Mastro Livi razor".
I am going, as usual, to post some pictures of this new razor and, as a matter of fact, here it is my new Mastro Livi straight razor specifications:
- Blade made of RWL34 stainless steel
- 15/16 Full Hollow Ground (Mastro Livi is one of the few capable of such handmade grinding, as all of you surely know)
- Spanish point
- Olive tree wood scales
As for the steel, I wanted Mastro Livi to choose the steel he believed to be the best for the razor I ordered. He can choose among quite a good number of different steels - carbon, stainless, carbon damascus and stainless damascus - and he opted for a RWL34. I am sure he made the very best choice possible. I trust him so I am sure I will not be disappointed by his very good advice.
Of course, I brought my camera with me and shoot a video of the making of my new razor which I will post as soon as I am done editing. Hopefully very soon. I can however tell you gentlemen something in advance: during the final test - you know Mastro Livi personally tests all of his razors by shaving - I filmed Mastro Livi while he shaved himself with my new razor, from lathering to aftershave. I guess this is the very first time we can see Mastro Livi using a straight razor in a regular shaving session.
During the day I personally listened to Mastro Livi answering the phone and receiving calls from his clients who personally wanted to thank him for the quality of his razors; they all seemed to be very happy, I would add, elated, for having been shaved with one of Mastro's razors. Moreover, in the morning he also received the visit of a gentlemen and his son who came to visit Mastro Livi and ordered a razor. I can tell, Mastro Livi is very loved by straight razor lovers and as soon as they try one of his razors, they consider the experience to be the very best. Including me, of course.
Just let me point out the kindness, openness and availability of Mastro Livi, always welcoming people and clients to his workshop, always giving good advices and teaching how to strop and hone a razor, scissors or a knife. For anyone interested in this, Mastro Livi explicitly invites anyone who wants to order a razor to come to his workshop, spend a full day with him while watching the Mastro making the razor. And this is something I too would suggest: I did this three times now and each day of them has been an unforgettable and remarkable experience.
As for my new razor, I hope you will enjoy the pictures of it: tomorrow is going to be a magnificent day with a magnificent shave, that's for sure!
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The box. As you can see this is a different box with a lovely plexiglass opening from which it is possible to see the razor inside.
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Mastro Livi sometimes writes the type of steel used for making the blade. RWL34 stainless steel in this case
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The Umbrian Mastro Livi straight razor with olive tree wood scales
Wow! Stunning! Thank you for sharing. The scales are beautiful too!
Thank you Attila, I am glad you liked my new Mastro Livi razor. I too love it very much and, gents, what a wonderful shave it gives!Quote:
Originally Posted by Attila
I would not believe it could have been possible. After having shaved with my Mastro Livi Damasteel straight razor and my Mastro Livi kamisori, I would not have believed I could try anything better than that. Well, it happened. My new Mastro Livi straight razor gave me the very best shave ever, absolutely impeccable and perfect. As usual this is my post for the shave of the day thread: http://straightrazorpalace.com/shave...ml#post1200888
I must say Mastro Livi was right and I too was right to ask him for his guidance and advice when I had to choose the type of steel to be used for this razor. I read a lot in this forum about stainless steels and what you gentlemen consider to be the right one for a straight razor and I asked Mastro what he was thinking about each of them. Mastro Livi has a remarkable experience about carbon and stainless steels and, at the end, we opted for two types of steel: RWL 34 and CPM 154CM.
Mastro Livi has a considerable experience on both steels and he uses both for making straight razors and knives. Both RWL 34 and CPM 154CM are being used by Mastro Livi since a very long time now - CPM 154CM since 2006 for sure - and he suggested me to have my new razor made from RWL 34 because of the type of my beard and the better results I, as a user, can obtain from honing. Not that RWL 34 is worse than CPM 154CM, but Mastro explained to me that CPM 154CM is too hard for a straight razor and it would take quite a long time for honing and get a perfect edge, in case I would ever get one.
RWL 34 is very hard as well and, as Mastro said it, it is however easier to hone, it keeps a very good edge over time and responds very well to stones and honing. He said a RWL 34 straight razor needs to be honed every one and a half or two years of shaves, provided you take good care of it during shaves and make a good use of both strop and pastes. He always stresses on the importance of stropping and to use a good strop. To him this is one of the fundamental "secrets" in order to give a razor's edge a long life. He is the Mastro, he is Mastro Livi, so I did not doubt him, I trust him and followed his advice: I opted for RWL 34.
This morning I shaved with this RWL 34 straight razor and I am very happy for the shave it gave me, something I would not believe to be possible. This razor is a real feather on the skin, it shaves like a charm and gave me the best BBS shave. A real feather I could not notice on my skin, a velvety caress. A magnificent razor. I am sure it will give me more incredible and satisfactory shaves. With this razor it has been love at first sight. Maybe it is because I feel this to be "Umbrian in soul" or even because I watched it taking life step by step from a bare steel bar, but when I saw it finished and mounted on its scale, it was love at first sight. I really like it. I like it a lot. Now I can't wait to shave with it again!
Good show, razorguy. Most informative and well done. Keep it up.
Thank you, Obie. I am very proud and happy to be a Mastro Livi straight razor owner. As you try a Mastro Livi, you will forget about the rest and get addicted to it. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
The truth is that I enjoy tremendously the company of Mastro Livi and visiting his workshop. He is a peaceful, kind and nice man, a real teacher always ready and willing to teach you everything he can about his art, straight razors and how to properly keep an edge.
I know I learned a lot since the day I met him for the first time. It is true he demolished many of my "strong beliefs" about straight razors, but he has also been very patient to explain and to teach me why what I knew was not "truly correct". And I must say he was right.
He is a real "Maestro" and I wish you and every straight razor lover to meet him at least once in his workshop: I know you will never forget the experience.
Thank you, razorguy. Indeed, the maestro sounds like a fascinating person. When I was doing my Conversations with Obie for SRP here, I had him on my list to interview. Alas, I was overwhelmed with writing assignments and my novel, so I had to take a break from the Conversations. When my work load lightens up in the coming months, and if the forum still wants the interviews, I'll see if I can resume them. In the meantime, I really enjoyed what you wrote — and wrote well. You do good work, my friend. Keep it up.
I would look forward to that interview Obie. I think the Mastro would make for a great interview and would have lots of good advice and information.
Thank you Obie for your appreciation. I am very glad to know you appreciated both what I wrote and how I wrote. I will try to keep it up as I consider this thread a diary in which we all who own a Mastro Livi to share their comments.Quote:
Originally Posted by Obie
I understand I am a bit lucky because I live just few miles away from Mastro Livi workshop and I am also honored to know him personally, so I can always have a direct contact with him.
The interview sounds like a wonderful idea and I am sure we all straight razor lovers would benefit from Mastro's words.
Once again, thank you for your appreciation and I am certainly looking forward in reading your interview soon.
I would like this to be another "my Mastro Livi", but, alas, it is not the case. I however thought it would have been nice to show you what will probably be "someone else's Mastro Livi".
This afternoon I passed by and visited Mastro Livi workshop because I wanted to thank him for the straight razor he made last Saturday and to tell him how wonderful it has been shaving with it.
When I arrived there, Mastro Livi was finishing working on the razor he made today and I could not believe what a wonderful razor he had just made. It is a straight razor made from a San Mai Damascus Carbon Steel Mastro personally made this morning.
Mastro Livi told me the middle layer is made of a high carbon steel, whereas side layers are made of iron and nickel and got a beautiful silver color. Unfortunately pictures don't do justice to it, but all I had was my cell phone. I hope you can however appreciate it.
As for the specifications, it is a 15/16 Half Hollow, Spanish Point with Mother of pearl scales and Mastro says it is a razor expressly made for gentlemen having a tough or hard beard. What I can tell it is a breathtaking straight razor and I admit I would have brought it home with me. I have been very tempted! ;)
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Mastro Livi San Mai Damascus Carbon Steel: notice the middle layer
Another masterpiece! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Attila, I am glad you appreciate this thread. :tuQuote:
Originally Posted by Attila
Like I promised, I am done editing the video in which Mastro Livi makes the RWL-34 razor I ordered to him and of which I talked in some posts published in this thread. If everything is going to be all right, tomorrow the video will be online and available for watching in my YouTube channel.
Stay tuned!
Great video. I'm envious of visit the time you watched the master work his magic. If I ever get the chance I will visit Mastro Livi and order one of his masterpieces. Thank you for the video. I will watch it often.
Thank you very much for posting this! Great video.
The time now is 20:25. It's raining cats and dogs at Scheveningen. But I'm ready to give my wife a kiss; hang my cases to my BMW 1200K, put on my leathers and ride the night through to Perugia. When I'm on my motorcycle in about fifteen minutes from now, I'll have an espresso tomorrow morning the 7th at 11.20 sulla più bella piazza di Perugia.
Why don't I do this? I might be dead next week!
Joost
Very true. That is a good way of looking at it.
Gentlemen,
I am very glad to read about your appreciation. This is one of the reasons why I am shooting these videos and also because I do strongly believe the art, talent, passion and craftsmanship of Mastro Livi is a wonderful story to tell the world.
It is not because I was born and live in Perugia and here is where Mastro Livi has his workshop as well, I know Mastro Livi is a pride for my city and for Italy, he is also a remarkable and kind gentleman: I believe he is a pride for everyone interested in straight razors. I am proud to say I personally know him: he taught me a lot about razors and shaving, more than what I could ever know and wish to know. I am confident I will learn a lot more from him and this is priceless.
And I believe his story and talent is something worth telling the world.
In case you gentlemen will ever come to Perugia and visit Mastro Livi workshop, I will be very happy to help you, also with the language, in case you need that.
This is what I wish you all to come true one day soon: to meet Mastro Livi, to enjoy his company, knowledge and wisdom, as well as watching him making your razor; it is a wonderful experience.
I hope to be of help, in case you decide to do so.
Meanwhile, I hope you all will enjoy the video. :tu
Man, I would love to go there someday! Perhaps some time in the future...
I had your very same concern when I watched this video for the first time, some years ago. At those times I did not know Mastro Livi in person and I too wondered about his technique. From the video it may be seen as "rude" and "care-free". I however always thought to myself that he is Mastro Livi and he is renowned all over the world both for his razors and his "absolutely stunning edges".
Then I got to know Mastro Livi in person and I had the chance to see him honing and stropping a razor. The video does not do justice to both of them. I can tell for sure he uses a very "light hand" and does both jobs very quickly and, yes, very very effective. His hands seems to fly over hones and strops. And he is very far from rude or careless.
I asked him about my concerns - the same you had - and he answered that what he sees on the internet, in particular "x-strokes", are to be considered techniques for beginners, they work for sure - he says - but it is for beginners and it takes a long time compared to his technique. He says he needs to do the job very quick and in a very effective way: he hones tens of razors every day. Add to this he has more than 60 years of experience in honing knives and razors, I guess you get the picture. He told me he honed his very first knife when we was 5 year old. His father gave him a knife and told him "hone it!". This is how he started this job.
I am into straight razors and honing since ten years now, I honed hundreds of razors (and, of course, I do not consider myself an expert) I have also shaved with razors honed by professionals, but nothing compares to a Mastro Livi honing. Absolutely nothing, or at least, to nothing I have shaved with.
Gentlemen,
The same question as Pighog asks was in my mind after watching the video that Razorguy added to this thread on the 9th of September. According to this video Mastro L. uses exactly the same technique as performed in the video Pighog refers to.
In the 9 Sept. video Masto L. hones the razor using various stones devoid from any slurry application. Direcly after that he flaps the razor over a Ch.O loaded linen side of a strop and repeats this action on the other also loaded side.
Mind that he does not use the rolling over the spine technique. He lifts the razor at the end of each half stroke to prevent the edge touching the strop at each turn. I apply that too but the move it is not generally recommended.
After completion the Ch.O action Mastro L. does a final stropping on the palm of his hand instead of applying a plain leather strop.
Then he tests the razor on his jaw simply wetted with a few drops of water.
I quote Razorguy: "I have also shaved with razors honed by professionals, but nothing compares to a Mastro Livi honing. Absolutely nothing, or at least, to nothing I have shaved with."
I think none of us will have the slightest doubt about Mastro L's capabilities in re but the thought occurred to me that thousands of straight razor addicts including many newbies repetitively watching this fascinating videos might conclude that the performed way is the way to obtain and checking a 100% edge.
In my humble opinion is such a conclusion a bit premature and maybe for some of us somewhat misleading.
Joost
I understand you gentlemen, I understand you very well as I did have the very same concerns you have. Absolutely the same. After having met Mastro Livi I had to change my mind about many things. You may say his technique is not orthodox and seems to deny what we all know about honing and stropping. But there is the fact a razor made and honed by Mastro Livi shaves like paradise. I can tell this because I had the luck to see him honing and shaving with a razor made and honed by him.
I told Mastro Livi his technique may be misleading for us straight razor lovers who are used to quite different techniques. He said it can be misleading but it is a technique he developed in the course of his remarkable and long experience. He in fact told me he would not advise anyone using his technique because he understands it takes quite a lot of skill and experience.
Mastro Livi did not say our "basic" technique is wrong, he says it works for sure and gives good results, but he says it usually takes a lot of time for getting the job done.
I too had many doubts about what I watched on Mastro Livi videos, but I had the luck to see him doing it in front of me. His technique and hands are far from being rude: he absolutely has a truly light touch.
As for leather, Mastro Livi says that leather is the worst material to be used for a strop and this is something he learned from his father and every time I talk to him about stropping, he always ends up telling me we all have the very best strop and it is always at hand: the palm of our hand.
Of course, I do not have the experience of Mastro Livi (and I am hopelessly far away more than one millionth from his) but I can tell his teachings have been "enlightening" to me. Now I use just one strop and it is Mastro Livi strop (which is not made from leather) and I use the palm of my hand quite a lot. Well, my razors shave better!
Mastro Livi always stresses on the fact his technique is not for beginners or newbies (and I guess he is right) and he suggests us keep on using "our techniques" because they certainly work and give excellent results, but he says they also take a lot of time in order to get the job done and as he is honing tens of razors every day, he just needs a more efficient technique.
I understand your concerns because I too have the very same concerns, but I saw with my own eyes and can tell his technique works wonders on a razor's edge. Of course I cannot do what he does and I am afraid I will never be capable of doing the same. This is why I sincerely wish to all the straight razor lovers to meet him and see how he works in person. He is a remarkable man always willing to teach anyone passionate about straight razors and he is very good and patient in this. It is a wonderful life experience, or at least, this is how it has been for me. Mastro Livi absolutely changed the way I see stropping, honing and shaving with a straight razor. All I can say he is right. Absolutely right.
Gentlemen,
I'm very, very desirously awaiting the strong comments of the razor addicts populating the fora Hones and Strops.:)
Keep it Livi Razor related.
Joost
I'd just like to share Antonello's expression of gratitude to Mastro Livi for being so generous with his time and letting us into his workshop. I'm in the process of writing up my experience and will post it in a separate thread with a lot of pictures detailing the whole process from raw metal to finished masterpiece.
I would also like say how indebted I am for Antonello's help with everything. He was a true gentleman and helped me throughout the whole process that started almost 6 months ago. It was also fantastic to spend time with someone as passionate about straight razors as myself.
Here's a few pics of the final razor set and the "defective" second razor that I also came away with.
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Dear Jody,
let me express my admiration for your astonishing razors: that was truly amazing for me too sharing my passion with someone as passionate as I am. Let me also express how I liked to spend almost three days with you and your lovely girlfriend, including the pleasing dinners we had together.
I sincerely hope we will meet again in future: I am sure we will have a lot more to share about straight razors. It has been a truly amazing experience watching the genesis of your shaving set and it has been a honor for me to help you and to make your birthday wish come true. I hope to offer my help and support to all the other gentlemen who want to watch Mastro Livi at work and making razors: we do understand how amazing it is and, I am sure you agree, it is such a pleasure to watch such a remarkable artist at work and to shave with one of his razors.
Let me also express my admiration for the "so called" defective razor (something giving it a truly unique character) in particular for the gorgeous scales: I guess I will have something similar quite soon ;) (and, yes, you may consider yourself responsible for that! Including the brush! :D )
By the way: are you still sure you want to buy those two razors? :p
Happy to enable your MLRAD :)
I look forward to hearing the spec of your new Damascus razor.
I finally made my decision and the work for the making of my next Mastro Livi razor have been started! Last night I went to Mastro Livi's workshop and he started forging the billet from which he will make my new razor. The billet is a San Mai Double Mastro Livi Carbon Damascus and I am very excited to know I will own a new gorgeous beauty!
For the moment, Mastro Livi made the San Mai billet only because I am still a little undecided about some of the razors specifications, point of the blade and tang, among the many. But the billet has been made and next week Mastro Livi will continue making my next incredible razor. I can't wait to see it finished and to shave with it. The razor will have a matching Mastro Livi badger brush as the razor's scales and brush's handle will be made of the same material. (Jody, look what you have done! :) )
I am posting some preliminary pictures of the making of my new Mastro Livi razor. Billet forging and finished billet for the moment. Stay tuned! More pictures to come!
