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You have to know that when I started to shave with the straight razor my face was always full of cuts and blood coming out every night. Now from some time this does not happen more '. So I said: Why do you not try the Kamisori so' to go back a little 'back in time? will be 'romantic try it on my face, I seem' to be more 'young! I also bought a needle and thread for surgeons!Quote:
Originally Posted by razorguy
:chop:
I hope yours is as gorgeous as razorguy's- the Mastro has his work cut out for him! My custom was delayed in shipping but should arrive today. I think it needs a Mastro Livi carbon Damascus friend to keep it company!Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanosup
The secret with kamisori is to be very careful, at least until you understand how to "feel it" in your hands. You also need to forget some of the technique used for straight razors as they partially apply to kamisori. It is a different way of shaving but as soon as you understand it, the reward is very high. Do not give up and be careful because with a kamisori the cuts can be very bad! Take your time and do not be in a hurry!Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanosup
Right! Straight razors like good company! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by entropy1049
As for my Mastro Livi kamisori, it is not made from Mastro Livi carbon Damascus, it is made from Damasteel "damascene", that is a stainless Damascus steel. I also have another kamisori made by Mastro Livi and from his carbon Damascus: it is however magnificent and very effective, but this one made of Damasteel is even more keen than that!
I followed the advice of Razorguy who is a master of shaving and those of Mastro Livi who is an artist. The result is obvious. It will be a great Kamisori. I hope to be worthy of such a masterpiece, and above all I hope not to get too bad on the face. Soon will be 'ready I'll show photos. But first, however, I want to see your photos! You do well to give a friend your new razor!Quote:
Originally Posted by entropy1049
you know that I always follow your advice!Quote:
Originally Posted by razorguy
Thanks Antonello, that's great advice. I'm going to try that with my Robert Williams "Purist" as it's been ripping me to shreds.Quote:
Originally Posted by razorguy
I am glad you found my post interesting. The most "dangerous" part of a kamisori is certainly the point. Some round it off, some - like me - keep it the way it is. In my opinion, the point is part of the "kamisori experience", it simply something belonging to it and that's why I would not remove it. It is like rounding a spike point of a straight razor.Quote:
Originally Posted by jodypress
I studied many oriental weapons during my "gong fu - wu shu" training (kung fu) and my Master used to say "as long as you do not feel the weapon as being part of you, feeling its edge and shape, you will never master it". He was right, of course, and this is what I usually do with straight razor shaving. Kamisori is no exception to this: to master it you need to feel it, to consider it being part of your arm and hand, to respect it, to understand and feel each of its parts, point included.
I hope my "so called" advices are good and will not do anything bad to you: sometimes trusting "razorguys" is not that good and it may also be quite insane... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanosup
I finally made another visit to this thread and I am completely amazed...
The Kamisori is gorgeous.
I may have to look into getting one - Some day soon!
Thanks for sharing about the visits and the new additions.
Myron
Dear Razorguy, It's been about 1 year that I have been looking at Mastro Livi's razors , on and on, and reading your compliments on them . But I did not consider to buy one, because I thought they are very expensive for me..But after seeing this kamisori, I completely, changed my mind. I live in Turkey, I have been to Italy (Venice and Milan) two years ago, and this year I was making plans to go to Napoli and sicilia, but nooo, I am going to go to Perugia, Umbria region then Rome. But ofcourse I will make an appointment to see Mr. Livi to buy a razor.
I carefully inspected the pictures of Mr. Livi's razors to see if there is any honing marks on razors , for that Mastro Livi does not use any tape on razors when honing , but I could not find any marks. As the holder of many razors he made , what can you say about it, ( P.S. sorry my English)
Welcome! It' a good idea. Perugia is a wonderful city and To see Mastro Livi's laboratory a unique experience!Quote:
Originally Posted by taskind
Hello Taskind,Quote:
Originally Posted by taskind
first of all, I am glad you are reading this thread and all the things I wrote so far about my "Mastro Livi experience". I am also glad to read you are now considering buying a Mastro Livi kamisori and, even more glad, to read you are planning a trip to Italy.
I believe visiting Mastro Livi workshop is a wonderful experience for everyone interested in straight razors and wet shaving. Not only Mastro Livi is very kind and open to welcome everyone in his workshop, but also for the huge amount of things you would learn from him about razor and shaving.
Moreover, if you are considering buying a razor from him, I strongly suggest you to ask Mastro Livi to watch the making of your razor: not only this is an incredible experience to have, but also a wonderful chance to actively contribute to the making during the process.
As for using tape in honing, I too never use it, saved the case you really need it in order to have a better geometry of the blade, typically for vintage razors and for those showing a considerable hone wear. As for brand new razors, I think it is not needed at all as this may change the angle of the bevel set by the maker.
As for Mastro Livi honing technique, it is very effective and he is capable of getting a super smooth and keen edge on any razor or cutting tool. He has a "sixty years experience" on his side and he hones tens of razors every day, not to mention knives and other cutting tools. He is a master in this and, no, he does not leave any honing mark in the spine or blade.
In case you are planning a visit to Mastro Livi workshop, it is better to ask "Livi Coltellerie" in advance in order to let them organize everything and be sure Mastro Livi can properly welcome you in his workshop. You will not regret the experience! :)
Taskind, I can only reiterate what Antonello has said. I did the pilgrimage to Razor nirvana last year and they will be memories I treasure forever.
This razor is beautiful and I am not one to say it, you see it alone. But you know that the handle is unique. I think it's impossible to find a piece of wood more 'beautiful than that! Even I occasionally feel the need to let me caress the skin from my first Mastro Livi's razor, a rwl 34 steel that I find unmatched!
:beer2:
I drink a cool beer 'cause today in the morning the Tour of Italy that started this morning from Lugo and the move of the afternoon, I'm a little' tired.
I absolutely like my Mastro Livi damascus steel razor and for many reasons, last but not the least, it is a magnificent shaver. Not to mention the handle of which I have been very lucky in getting a three color amboyna piece, fully revealed after having used oil in order to polish it. I was really amazed by that!
I am glad you had the time to attend to the stage starting from Lugo of our national bicycle race "Giro d'Italia": I am sure you enjoyed that better than the move. :)
Although I brew beer myself and make wine from my vineyard - and I certainly love both types of beverages - you know I like having wine better, so I expected you to have at least a gorgeous glass of Sangiovese! :)
When I go back to Perugia for my Kamisori we drink a glass of Sagrantino Sangiovese which is better. Although I must tell you that the sangiovese with cheese pie and ham "Mora Romagna" is amazing! I tried it last night, you should try it!
:needcoffee:
Great story and a beautiful razor.
Thank you! I hope to post more Mastro's razors in future. After all, an English gentleman of this forum said I am affected by MLRAD and, as I guess there is no cure for that, I think I will add more Mastro Livi razors to my collection! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by mglindo
Yesterday I went to Mastro Livi workshop and, as usual, he was making razors, forging steel and making carbon damascus steel. Mastro Livi was pretty happy because he received a very special gift from one of his clients. It seems the ones who own a Mastro Livi razor love him! He received a beautiful painting in which Mastro Livi is depicted while he is forging a razor blade. I am partly proud of this because the author of this painting used the images of a video I made to paint this and I must tell I like the painting. Not to mention Mastro Livi! He is very happy and proud of it and he has hung the painting in his workshop in a very special display. The gentlemen who visited Mastro Livi will certainly recognize it is the cabinet Mastro Livi uses to display razor blades in the process of the making, near the main entrance of the workshop.
Like I said, Mastro Livi was forging some damascus steel and a lovely billet caught my attention. It has a sort of wood-pattern in it and I admit it has been love at first sight. The decision was very easy to make: that billet must going to be my next straight razor! This is a work in progress, of course, and the razor is not finished yet. So far, Mastro Livi forged the billet, flattened the tang by using a trip hammer, tempered and set the initial grinding. As it was pretty late, we then decided to call it a day. Mastro Livi will hopefully finish this razor within next week, so I will post more pictures of the working very soon, including the finished razor. Gentlemen, I am going to be the owner of my eighth Mastro Livi straight razor! I can't wait to see it finished and magnificently honed my Mastro Livi. Stellar shaves are waiting for me! To be confident, I did not make any decision about the scales, but I know it is going to have a square point and a classic shaped tang. And, of course, wonderfully made by a Mastro Livi carbon damascus steel!
Attachment 167905
Work in progress: my next Mastro Livi straight razor made of carbon damascus steel. Please notice the lovely wood-pattern
Attachment 167906
Front of the blade with the beautiful wood-pattern
Attachment 167907
Back of the blade. A truly lovely damascus pattern
Attachment 167908
This part is going to be the tang. It was flattened by using a trip hammer. As usual, every razor is hand made and personally forged, hammered, tempered, ground and honed by Mastro Livi himself.
Attachment 167909
Mastro Livi hand drawing the tang. For this one I wanted a classic shape.
The razor will be hopefully finished within next week. I will certainly post more pictures of the making and I can't wait to hold it in my hands! This is going to be a stellar razor, just another Mastro Livi masterpiece!
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!!
:OT
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! :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanosup
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!!
";"
I guess you will be seeing it in person... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by stefanosup
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.
Attachment 168583
Drilling the hole for the scales
Attachment 168582
Cutting the tang
Attachment 168581
Cutting the tang
Attachment 168587
The shape of the blade is now defined
Attachment 168586
Flattening the tang
Attachment 168585
Flattening and polishing the tang
Attachment 168589
The shape of the blade is now fully defined
Attachment 168590
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
Attachment 168591
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by PigHog
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
That's a very good news! In case you are coming, I will be very glad to help you with the language. My pleasure! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by PigHog
Quote:
Originally Posted by PigHog
No finer Gentleman than razorguy on SRP! :beer1::chapeau
Thank you very much! You are flattering me as I know for sure here in SRP there are so many fine gentlemen and I can tell you certainly are one of them! (here, as I am Italian, I wish SRP had an emoticon about wine.... :) )Quote:
Originally Posted by entropy1049
This is true and as always, razorguy, I'm very grateful for your kind offers!Quote:
Originally Posted by entropy1049
I always say stuff that then gets sidelined but at some point I would like to visit -- I also have a friend up near Pavia and it'd be good to see Italy properly.
The great day has finally come! Today Mastro Livi finished making my new razor and it looks simply amazing, fantastic and wonderful! The day started by finishing the grinding of the blade, five in total. The result, you will see, is an extra hollow ground razor. It is absolutely amazing how Mastro Livi can achieve such grinding just by using his hands! Just a grinding wheels and his talent. And, by the way, endless talent, art and craftsmanship! To me it is unbelievable how he can possibly do that with just his hands, but he does!
Attachment 168672
The fifth grinding of the blade
Attachment 168673
The blade at the end of grinding: it is now a extra hollow ground. Simply amazing!
Attachment 168674
Polishing the blade
Attachment 168675
Polishing the blade
Attachment 168676
The blade after the bath in ferric chloride. Isn't this wood pattern lovely?
Attachment 168677
Back side of the blade after the bath in ferric chloride
Attachment 168678
Gentlemen, here it is an extra hollow blade! Extra hollow ground and completely made by hands!!! Mastro Livi rules! :)
Attachment 168679
Making jimps
Attachment 168680
Mastro Livi drawing the scales on a piece of juniper wood. This juniper wood has been personally gathered by Mastro Livi in a woods nearby his workshop. Umbrian juniper, of course! The smell is absolutely amazing!
Attachment 168681
The scales are finally mounted to the blade. Magnificent look, amazing masterpiece!
Attachment 168682
Mastro Livi honing the razor with a Belgian coticule
Attachment 168683
Mastro Livi stropping the razor with his famous loom strop
Attachment 168684
Razor test #1: hanging hair effortlessly cut by the razor
Attachment 168685
Razor test #2: Mastro Livi personally testing the razor by shaving. No soap at all, just a wet face in order to have tougher whiskers.
Attachment 168686
It seems this razor is very keen and very sharp!
Attachment 168687
The razor passed all tests and meets Mastro Livi quality standards. This razor deserves Mastro Livi signature.
razorguy you are living my dream. : )
You can live the very same dream... little by little, step by step! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by lz6
