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

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)

I am very glad to read you are about to get in your hands a Mastro Livi Grifetto and I am also a little proud for being responsible of your decision. I am also flattered you are watching my videos: I hope you will keep watching the future videos as well, provided I have time to shoot them! :-)

Congratulations on your Mastro Livi Grifetto: I am sure you will enjoy a lot!

Sunday 24 April 2016



Mastro Livi Symmetrical Kamisori, 11/16 Full Hollow, French Point

In this rainy day, I opted for this Mastro Livi symmetrical kamisori made from Damasteel Odin's Eye pattern. I also opted for "somewhat warm" fragrances, such as Meißner Tremonia Indian Flavour Shaving Soap and the Italian "Pino Silvestre" (Wild Pine Tree) after shave. As for the kamisori, it was just amazing how it gave a super smooth and close shave, a little aggressive, but this is something common to every Damasteel blade. The symmetrical kamisori gives the easeness of using both sides of the blade, even by using just one hand. Certainly easier to use than an asymmetrical kamisori, however delivering an impeccable result.

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: Meißner Tremonia Indian Flavour
• Brush: Mastro Livi Wild Badger, Juniper Handle, 24mm knot
• Bowl: Bamboo Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Medium Loom Strop "Coramella Italiana" and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi Odin's Eye Damasteel Symmetrical Kamisori, 11/16 Full Hollow, French Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Argan Oil
• After Shave: Pino Silvestre

Sunday 1 May 2016



Mastro Livi CarboInox, 6/8 Full Hollow, Barber's Notch

Let's start this new month the right way! And, for me, starting the right way means having a luxurious shave, at least for the straighr razor. I in fact used my Mastro Livi CarboInox with lovely and awesome colors, adding impeccable class to my shave. The colors of this razor's blade makes me think about the sea: the blue twisted damascus steel makes me think about wavy waters, while the golden colored stainless steel looks like the sand of the beach. Pure art, pure beauty, pure luxurious and super smooth shave, genuine Italian craftsmanship and art. Not to mention the scales made of this stunning cocobolo wood with two colors. Yes, the month has started the right way.

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: Tabac Shaving Cream
• Brush: Mastro Livi Silvertip Badger, Padouk Handle, 24mm knot
• Bowl: Gerby Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Medium Loom Strop "Coramella Italiana" and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi CarboInox, 6/8 Full Hollow, Barber's Notch
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Umbrian Extravirgin Olive Oil
• After Shave: Mennen Skin Bracer

Part One: Daring to be Different

After Antonello had raised with this thread my curiosity about Mastro Livi razors, I finally ordered two Grifetto (Grifetti??) razors and a medium size loom strop to own some of Mastro Livi's acclaimed creations at last.

I have been shaving with straight razors for a few years and - as straight razor shavers are few and far between - started learning through the Internet, like most of us. Certain practices and rules appeared to be invariable and carved in stone, and I judiciously followed them on my quest for the ultimate straight shave.

Over the years my straight shaves developed to a level that I cannot easily replicate with any other (e.g. safety) razor, but I also did note a few conventions that - while often repeated and apparently never questioned - seemed somehow out of place to me.

Enter the Mastro Livi/Antonello "Scuola di Mastro Livi" collaboration.
Here is a man that has been making razors and establishing a solid reputation in the field far longer than most of us have been shaving, who is more than willing to share his expertise with us, who is not afraid to go - if necessary -against some of the established conventions, and is happy to explain the techniques that he has developed and come to trust over time.

Some of these may sound unusual at first, and I am not suggesting that everyone should dump everything he has learned before and adopt the "Mastro Livi method" overnight, but I found that what Mastro Livi says and teaches echoed some of the lingering doubts in my mind (do 100 passes on a strop, faithfully counted, really result in a better edge??) and that - no matter how proficient a shaver believes he is - it may be worth to listen to someone who has been in the field a long time and give some consideration to his ideas - in other words, do nothing more than keep an open mind.

As I had a week of leave and had already planned a trip to Italy's Adriatic coast, where I spent many summers of my childhood, I thought I combine this with a trip to Perugia to visit Mastro Livi's laboratorio.

To an English speaker "Laboratorio" might sound excessive at first, but it is after all an accepted Italian term for an artisan's workshop and given Mastro Livi's inclination to experiment, and try or create new things, even the English meaning is not too far of the mark.


But more about that visit in part two....



B.


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Originally Posted by beluga

Part One: Daring to be Different

After Antonello had raised with this thread my curiosity about Mastro Livi razors, I finally ordered two Grifetto (Grifetti??) razors and a medium size loom strop to own some of Mastro Livi's acclaimed creations at last.

....

Thank you so much for your write up and for your words of appreciation about Mastro Livi School, a long term project I conceived together with Mastro Livi. I am very glad to read you appreciate my videos and you find them interesting and helpful.

As for your visit to Mastro Livi's laboratory, I am very sorry I could not be there and meet you, unfortunately I had to leave that very morning for my business trip.

I am very glad to read how you enjoyed your visit and all the good things you learned and all the good insights from Mastro Livi. I know what you mean as this is something from which I benefit every time I go to Mastro's laboratory. I also understand what you mean about the things you read on the internet and I know I need to thank Mastro Livi for helping me to improve my humble knowledge about straight razor and maintenance and to get rid of that "non sense".

I am certainly looking forward in reading the next part of your experience at Mastro Livi's laboratory and thanks for sharing it with us all.

Wednesday 4 May 2016



Roberto's Robinia - Black Locust Brush

I recently received a nice gift from a member of Mastro Livi Club of Google Plus and the very appreciated gift was a lovely shaving brush he made for me by hand. Roberto - this is the name of the maker - made the handle with Robinia (Black Locust) wood and the loft of the brush is wild badger. The grip is really comfortable and the wild badger loft offers a good performance also thanks to the backbone of the hair. As for the razor, this time I used this gorgeous Mastro Livi Carbon Damascus "100 Layers" with a twisted pattern and an incredible extra full hollow grinding, of course completely handmade by Mastro Livi and just by using his well known wheel grinders. Super smooth and close shave, not to mention a blade capable of singing like a tenor while graciously and smoothly gliding over the skin like a velvety feather with a super keen and cutting edge.

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: RazorGuy Shaving Soap
• Brush: Roberto's Brush, Wild Badger, Robinia - Black Locust Handle, 24mm Knot
• Strop: Mastro Livi Travel Loom Strop and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi Carbon Damascus "100 Layers", 13/16 Extra Hollow, Square Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Umbria Extravirgin Oil
• After Shave: RazorGuy Bay Rum

Mastro Livi School: A practical course on using and maintaining your straight razor. From understanding a straight razor to honing and shaving.

Part Nine: How to Use Mastro Livi Loom Strop with a Straight Razor or Kamisori. How to properly use Mastro Livi loom strop in order to correctly strop a straight razor or a kamisori. Common mistakes to avoid while stropping and how to ensure the best edge for your straight razor or kamisori for a very long time while getting the most comfortable shave.

Very nice and very well timed, considering that I just bought a medium and travel sized strop from Mastro Livi.

I am adapting my technique from the 76 mm (3") hanging strop and 40 mm (1 7/12 ") small travel loom strop that I used until now and the results are encouraging.
If anything, I will be looking for a suitable container/pouch for the Mastro Livi travel loom strop, as a wooden box (no matter how nice too look at) takes quite a bit of space in a suitcase and is not ideal considering weight and size restrictions when travelling by air.

Mastro Livi is also the first one I know to mention the risks of placing a strop on its flat side.
Interesting; I never thought of that, but when you consider how easily watch bracelets or clasps show scratch marks from nothing more than an office desk, it gives you an idea.


B.


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Originally Posted by beluga

Mastro Livi is also the first one I know to mention the risks of placing a strop on its flat side.
Interesting; I never thought of that, but when you consider how easily watch bracelets or clasps show scratch marks from nothing more than an office desk, it gives you an idea.

Mastro Livi is very strict and demanding when it comes to his job and straight razors. I am sure you got an idea about this when you visited his laboratory as I know he wanted to personally teach you how to strop your new freshly made razors.
He gets quite angry at those who place a strop on its flat side and yell at them as well. I guess he is right in insisting about being strict and demanding when it comes to a strop as it is the tool in which you pass a quite fragile razor's edge and, if you want to keep it efficient and performing, you need to have a clean strop and dust free as well as being very careful. Your skin and pleasure will thank you for this. :-)

Originally Posted by razorguy

Mastro Livi is very strict and demanding when it comes to his job and straight razors. I am sure you got an idea about this when you visited his laboratory as I know he wanted to personally teach you how to strop your new freshly made razors.
He gets quite angry at those who place a strop on its flat side and yell at them as well. I guess he is right in insisting about being strict and demanding when it comes to a strop as it is the tool in which you pass a quite fragile razor's edge and, if you want to keep it efficient and performing, you need to have a clean strop and dust free as well as being very careful. Your skin and pleasure will thank you for this. :-)

Well; he didn't yell at me, so I must have done (most of) it right. :-)

In fact, I enjoyed the Mastro's sense of humour, e.g. calling the laboratorio (despite the temperatures near his forge) his "paradiso" and Luca's workshop next door "inferno".
Obviously, if gives the Mastro great satisfaction to do what he is doing....


B.