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

Antonello, brilliant thank you!

Originally Posted by MichaelS

Antonello, brilliant thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to watch this video.

Fascinating thread and fascinating videos.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us and thank you and Mastro Livi for producing the videos.

The videos made me question some of the concepts that I had accepted and faithfully executed when I started straight shaving a few years ago and that were posted and repeated again and again as the one and only unquestionable truth.
Who hasn't been told that a bevel should be set on a 1000 grit stone and that a leather strop was the ultimate stropping tool?
Or who hasn't been told that carbon blades provide a superior shave to stainless steel blades? My Henckels Friodur razors do not support that theory; and I had long been doubting the wisdom of stropping and honing "by the numbers". Rather, I felt while this was appropriate for a beginner, someway along the journey a straight shaver should develop a feel for what is enough without having to count.

Listening to Mastro Livi's advice makes me question and sometimes change how I have been doing things for years - usually for the better.

On a different note, I got so attracted that I couldn't help ordering two Grifetto razors and a medium size loom strop to be shipped to my home (to avoid paying the Italian IVA tax, which is more than the import duty).

Beyond that, if the two Grifetti match my expectations - and I am confident they will - I shall make a detour to Perugia when I am in Senigallia in early May to pay Mastro Livi's laboratorio a visit.

My only problem is shall I order my customized razor now, so that I might have a chance to see how it is finished and kept in top form, or shall I order the razor when in Perugia, so that I can benefit from Mastro Livi's suggestions and expertise?

Choices, choices...



B.

Originally Posted by beluga

Fascinating thread and fascinating videos.

Thank you for sharing your journey with us and thank you and Mastro Livi for producing the videos.

Thank you for taking the time to watch my videos and for reading my very personal experience with Mastro Livi razors and Mastro Livi in general. I can tell for sure, meeting Mastro Livi drastically changed my view about straight razors, maintenance and shaving. Of course, it changed it for the better. And today I know I would not even think about taking even the smallest step back.

Originally Posted by beluga

The videos made me question some of the concepts that I had accepted and faithfully executed when I started straight shaving a few years ago and that were posted and repeated again and again as the one and only unquestionable truth.
Who hasn't been told that a bevel should be set on a 1000 grit stone and that a leather strop was the ultimate stropping tool?
Or who hasn't been told that carbon blades provide a superior shave to stainless steel blades? My Henckels Friodur razors do not support that theory; and I had long been doubting the wisdom of stropping and honing "by the numbers". Rather, I felt while this was appropriate for a beginner, someway along the journey a straight shaver should develop a feel for what is enough without having to count.

Listening to Mastro Livi's advice makes me question and sometimes change how I have been doing things for years - usually for the better.

I completely understand you. I really do. The day I met Mastro Livi for the first time - and I was already doing straight razor shaving for about fourteen years and, like you, I read a lot of things around so I was sure I knew something about straight razors - I went home with just one single thing I was sure about: I knew nothing about straight razors and what I did was just nonsense. In just few hours he changed my view and attitude towards straight razors and it changed for the better.
With time, not only Mastro Livi and I became good friends, I also realized Mastro Livi has an endless, remarkable, huge and incomparable experience about straight razors, but what he taught me made me enjoy even better my shaving experience.
That's why I wanted to start the "Mastro Livi School" project because I believe Mastro Livi's knowledge is something every straight razor shaver should know in order to better enjoy everything. I am happy Mastro Livi accepted my idea about the school.
I just deleted everything I read in the past and which I now understand it is just nonsense, in particular hones and the craziness to always consider honing a razor to be the cure for everything, and I am just enjoying shaving even more.
I had about a dozen of leather hanging strops and the day I bought Mastro Livi loom strop I simply dismissed them all. Not to mention the "counting theory": it is simply nonsense. How can you suggest a specific number of passes and believe it to be right when you do not consider the edge condition? It would be like suggesting the same medicine and believe it can cure everything, from cold to cancer.
When I asked Mastro Livi how many passes I should do with a razor on a hone or strop, he laughed and replied counting does not make any sense at all, you need to feel the edge and it will always tell you when enough is enough.
My very personal opinion and experience, of course. I understand and fully respect we are all different and think different. What may work for me does not necessarily work for others.

Originally Posted by beluga

On a different note, I got so attracted that I couldn't help ordering two Grifetto razors and a medium size loom strop to be shipped to my home (to avoid paying the Italian IVA tax, which is more than the import duty).

I have no idea about this and I guess you should ask Mastro Livi and see what he says.

Originally Posted by beluga

Beyond that, if the two Grifetti match my expectations - and I am confident they will - I shall make a detour to Perugia when I am in Senigallia in early May to pay Mastro Livi's laboratorio a visit.

This sounds great! I am sure you will absolutely enjoy meeting Mastro Livi in person, not to mention to listen to his great advices about razors and shaving. In case you are coming and I happen to be in Perugia, it will be my pleasure to assist you with the language and to take you there.

Originally Posted by beluga

My only problem is shall I order my customized razor now, so that I might have a chance to see how it is finished and kept in top form, or shall I order the razor when in Perugia, so that I can benefit from Mastro Livi's suggestions and expertise?

Choices, choices...

It depends on what you want. If you have the time, Mastro Livi will be happy to show you the making of your razor, but you should also consider this would take about two full days and be prepared to spend two days in Mastro Livi's laboratory. Having watched the making of a razor many times, I can tell it is both an incredible and mesmerizing experience. Not to mention when you know it is your razor! :-)
However, the best thing is you contact Mastro Livi and ask him about everything, as well as to plan a couple of days to be spent in his laboratory while watching him making your razor. I will be glad to help you, provided I am not busy with my job and I am in Perugia, as Mastro Livi does not speak English at all.

Sunday 3 April 2016



Mastro Livi Grifetto 60, 6/8 Full Hollow, Round Point

It was quite a long time I was not using my shaving soap and today it was the right time to shave with it again. A luxurious shave, I must add. A beautiful and performing straight razor like Mastro Livi Grifetto 60, a gorgoues silvertip badger brush, my pre-shave oil and shaving soap, a fresh and citrusy touch of Myrsol Agua de Limón and here I got my luxurious shave. Mastro Livi Grifetto proves to be, shave after shave, an incredible razor with a velvety touch on your skin. I absolutely love it and, I must add, I have three of them in my collection.

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: RazorGuy Shaving Soap
• Brush: Mastro Livi Silver Tip Badger, 26mm knot
• Bowl: Bamboo Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Medium Loom Strop "Coramella Italiana" and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi Grifetto 60, 6/8 Full Hollow, Round Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Umbrian Extravirgin Olive Oil
• After Shave: Myrsol Agua de Limón

Sunday 17 April 2016



Mastro Livi K600 "Hand Forged" Rasoio Italiano, 15/16 Full Hollow, French Point

Yet another Italian shave. Everything of today's shave was made in Italy and - you guess it - most of the items used for shaving were Mastro Livi's. Including this superb hand forged straight razor matched to the silvertip badger, having the same handle materials and colors. Not to mention the shaving bowl with lid made of olive wood and handmade by Mastro Livi. As for the rest, it was just "my usual stuff", that is my pre-shave oil and Bay Rum aftershave, something I do as a hobby and leisure. A super smooth and close shave, this K600 razor always gives a very smooth and comfortable shave. Top notch!

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: Aguzzeria del Cavallo
• Brush: Mastro Livi Silver Tip Badger "Pennello Italiano", 24mm knot
• Bowl: Mastro Livi Olive Wood Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Medium Loom Strop "Coramella Italiana" and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi K600 "Hand Forged" Rasoio Italiano, 15/16 Full Hollow, French Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Umbrian Extravirgin Olive Oil
• After Shave: RazorGuy Bay Rum

Wow. What a story. Truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing yours and I would certainly cherish it as well.

Originally Posted by Bradleyrmagee

Wow. What a story. Truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing yours and I would certainly cherish it as well.

Thank you for reading this thread and for your appreciation. I am very glad you liked it. Thank you.

I have finally ordered a Grifetto in Olive Wood after much deliberation. As my collection has grown over the past 1.5 years, having one Mastro Livi, even if at the entry level, feels like it makes my collection "complete." I am sure I will find another Livi in my hands in the not-too-distant future, but this is a wonderful start.

If it weren't for your wonderful posts and certainly the videos (which I find myself watching not infrequently) I might not have made the plunge on this one. Many thanks razorguy! I can't wait for this one to arrive at my doorstep! (Purchased through SRD as it is already here in the States and ready to ship)

Originally Posted by Denvernoob

I have finally ordered a Grifetto in Olive Wood after much deliberation. As my collection has grown over the past 1.5 years, having one Mastro Livi, even if at the entry level, feels like it makes my collection "complete." I am sure I will find another Livi in my hands in the not-too-distant future, but this is a wonderful start.

If it weren't for your wonderful posts and certainly the videos (which I find myself watching not infrequently) I might not have made the plunge on this one. Many thanks razorguy! I can't wait for this one to arrive at my doorstep! (Purchased through SRD as it is already here in the States and ready to ship)

Right on. Congrats!