Thread: Razor Review; Mastro Livi 8/8 Stag horn Ladder Damascus

About 5 or 6 years ago I was perusing the bay and up popped this Mastro Livi set with razor, loom strop and shaving brush. It had a buy it now with a price not much more than a single Livi carbon steel, non Damascus blade for the whole shebang. This was my first Mastro Livi as well as my first custom razor.

It is an 8/8 'ladder' Damascus. Shaves like a dream and is very well balanced with the beautiful genuine stag horn scales. Note the 3 pins, I don't think that is something Mastro commonly does anymore. This razor was an early one according to Lynn Abrams. It doesn't have the Livi signature on the tang or on the scales which is default on his production shortly after this jewel.

The brush is a beauty as well. The gen stag handle has a silver, probably nickel silver, buttcap with the Mastro's logo engraved in it. A soft tip with great backbone. Finally the loom strop came with matching stag horn handle. This has been a pleasure to use. The canvas side, loaded with Mastro's chrom-ox is very efficient and the leather is the most buttery smooth I've ever felt. When I use the canvas I wipe any possible residue with a tissue before doing a final stropping on the leather.

I think Mastro is one of the best artisans making razors today or at any time in history.

Beautifull Jim.I had one of his stags a few yrs back,work of art for sure but far to heavy in the handle for me.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

Beautifull Jim.I had one of his stags a few yrs back,work of art for sure but far to heavy in the handle for me.

Thanks Bill. The 8/8 blade has the heft to counter the weight of the scales. Balances about perfect.

Thanks for sharing that set, it's absolutely gorgeous.

Amazing! What a fine set you have there.

Thanks Jimmy. Yet another beautiful straight razor for us to enjoy looking at today. That is a fantastic set.

Why I'll be so there it is.

That's the set that crook stole from me just about 6 years ago. You can just send it to me and I won't involve the Police.

Har har.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Why I'll be so there it is.

That's the set that crook stole from me just about 6 years ago. You can just send it to me and I won't involve the Police.

Har har.

I can tell by your photo that you're armed...got a right arm and a left arm ya do

Beautiful razor, like all Mastro Livi's razors!
As far as I can tell, the third pin is something Mastro Livi does rarely now, and as for the sign, I don't know, but I guess Mastro Livi always signed his creations: I remember this since the time I was a kid and the couple of the Mastro's knives my family had were both signed.
Maybe he started signing razors just recently, but i am not sure about this.
Having said that: this razor is simply gorgeous! Wonderful shaving set! Congratulations!