Thread: Mastro Livi

Originally Posted by ryanjewell

the slapping kind of reminds me of the video of liam finnegan from that obie talked about in his conversation. no videos or anything for these guys, they just learned to do it how it was passed down or figured out!

Thats a real good point. I guess if you strop more razors in a month then I ever did in my lifetime you would develop a technique thats totally efficient and unique.

They should have had the "don't try this at home" caveat in that video. A true expert, does everything 'wrong' and the result comes out right. BTW, I've got a few of his blades, including a 'snake' and they are all superb.

The technique works well. No need to baby the blade, unless it's really sharp and fragile. Just don't make a mistake like that. You can create a smooth edge like that, but not super, super sharp. Certainly sharp enough for a great shave.

I think a lot of people baby the blade and get a less pleasing shave.

That's how old time barbers did it too just that they used a hanging strop. He and they are not slapping the edge on the strop. It's the spine that gets the slap and a quick turn to the blade. It takes much practice.

It's kind of like going into a Japanese restaurant and they cook at your table and the chef puts on this show with the knives and all that.

OK, the bare-handed palm-stropping really blew me away. Wow!

Livi looks like he's had a blade in his hand nearly his whole life.