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

I totally agree with you on everything except for one thing: why waste all that olive oil on your skin, when instead you could do us some good spaghetti?

Because olive oil is a magnificent skin food and it is great as a post shave! You should try it.
After all, just four drops of olive oil won't hurt our beloved spaghetti and we can enjoy a luxurious shave while happily eating our spaghetti with a tasty, rich, super yummy sauce. And both enriched with olive oil. Umbrian extra virgin olive oil, of course!

As you know I only use extra virgin olive oil from Umbria to cook. In particular I love that area of Spoleto. The fruity flavor is delicate and unmistakable and unforgettable !! Luckily for me I do not have sensitive skin like yours and I can save the precious golden drops !!

It is not a matter of sensitive skin, it is a matter of taking good care of your skin! This is what our predecessors used to do when they shaved: they used olive oil as an after (post) shave because it was always at hand, they had plenty and very effective. Not to mention, they had little or no money for buying a real after shave the way we mean it today.
The use of olive oil as a skin food was very common since the days of the ancient people who lived the Mediterranean area. It was my grandfather who taught me this trick: few drops rubbed in the skin after you rinse your face it works miracles! I use it since a very long time and it works very well.
As far as I can tell, there are very few places in the Mediterranean area in which magnificent olive oil is not produced. Some countries have more - like Italy - others have less, but our precious liquid gold is found everywhere in this area. And, yes, I know I am a little factious about this, but Umbrian olive oil is among the very best of them all!

Originally Posted by razorguy

And, yes, I know I am a little factious about this, but Umbrian olive oil is among the very best of them all!

I think so too!

My very first Mastro Livi razor and it is still love at first sight. I must admit I like Damasteel very much, not only for its beautiful patterns, but also for the sensation it gives in shaving. Keen and sharp, it always gives a very close shave. Not to mention, this razor is still sharp like the first day: so sar, I have never honed it or passed on chromium oxide paste and I bought this razor more than one year and a half ago. It has a lovely edge, smooth and gentle, yet very effective and giving a very comfortable and very close shave. Superb!

I've noticed that the mixed steel damascus razors sell for a lot more than the single steel... are they better to shave with or is one paying more just for the aesthetics & extra work required Mastro puts into layering and forging the steel?

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

I've noticed that the mixed steel damascus razors sell for a lot more than the single steel... are they better to shave with or is one paying more just for the aesthetics & extra work required Mastro puts into layering and forging the steel?

This beautiful razor that I'm lucky to have me too is made of stainless steel and damasteel damask design is achieved in a way I think origin computerized. The carbon steel damascus Mastro Livi, and realizing that you can 'see in many video is something else. Here it takes a day of work and is achieved by layering several sheets of different steels which are then forged together. If you looking for a great razor for your shaved that remain 'with you for life, you can choose any one done by Mastro Livi. If you are looking for a really masterpiece I think that damask carbon steel or sanmai is the best.

Thanks Stefanosup...

I decided a while ago that I will visit Mastro Livi next year to watch him work and commission a nice razor from him and perhaps a nice kitchen knife as well.

I love the damascus razors/steel but the price is noticeably higher, so dont yet know if I will pay the extra for damascus. I also want to get him to make a loom strop using the same steel for the handle, or perhaps have the handle of the loom strop made to match the razor scales.

Unfortunately flying over from Australia, plus accommodation makes it an expensive trip, so am trying to calculate a budget of how much I will need to do this. I will also want to see other things in Italy at the same time, I am not doing the trip only for the razor, but I think it would be a great memento of the trip to Italy to have a razor I can use to remind me of the holiday and experience.

As a local I would appreciate your thoughts on a good local hotel/motel to stay for a few nights, and any other things in the local area worth seeing/doing/exploring.

Originally Posted by AndrewJM

I've noticed that the mixed steel damascus razors sell for a lot more than the single steel... are they better to shave with or is one paying more just for the aesthetics & extra work required Mastro puts into layering and forging the steel?

All of the carbon damascus steel used by Mastro Livi is personally made by him and this takes a lot of time, something which can be easily confirmed by everyone who has personally witnessed this process at Mastro Livi workshop.
The exception is Damasteel which is of course bought by Mastro Livi directly from the producer.
In my opinion, it is not just a matter of aesthetics. I am lucky enough for owning some Mastro Livi razors and made from different steels and, as far as I can tell, each of them has its own special quality.
Carbon damascus steel, I mean the one personally made by Mastro Livi, is very special giving a particular and velvety touch in shaving and it certainly is the very best Mastro Livi razor you can get, not only for the fact there is a lot of art and craftsmanship in making it. The extra work for making it is however remarkable and I guess this makes a difference in price.