Thread: Mastro Livi Razor Club

Both of these are beautiful razors and funnily enough Jody it was your birthday razor that enticed me to push the button on getting my first Livi, I now have another already on order with the artist him self and as I said am looking to order another =)

Originally Posted by jodypress

Sam, I'd highly recommend hoping on a plane and visiting Mastro Livi in his workshop. I did this in September (have a look here: Straight Razor Place - My Mastro Livi 40th birthday experience (pic heavy)). I met up with Antonello (Razorguy) who helped me tremendously as I spoke no Italian, with Mastro Livi. It was an unforgettable experience and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who wants to see their custom razor being created from start to finish.

All the best,

Jody

Dear Jody,
it is always nice to hear from you and I hope you are doing very well in London. Your visit to Mastro Livi workshop has been something very special to me, too. Not only for having helped someone who is as passionate as I am about straight razors, but also for the fact I got a new friend who then got a MLRAD like me!
I will certainly be more than happy to help Samadam in case he wants to come to Perugia, visit Mastro Livi workshop and watch him while he makes his straight razor. Of course, I am also available and happy in case Samadam needs some help with his mails for the Livis: it will be my pleasure to assist him in getting his Mastro Livi razors.

All the best!

Thanks guys that really lovely of you, and I really appreciate the help and advise. I have found with my first couple of razors That via emails there seams to be quite a delay in either mastro getting my mails or his arriving in my inbox but that could well be to do with the distance and time differences. Also I think he has to translate that to Italian as well

Originally Posted by stefanosup

maybe you have already 'seen. This is my 8/8 Full Hollow RWL 34 spanish point with horn handle transparent. When closed, I can see the blade! We would certainly recommend the full hollow grind 'cause it's true specialty' Mastro Livi. You know who gets the grinding for removal using 4 different size and what 'makes the razor exceptionally "singing" and deep. If you are the drawings a tang you he will 'certainly as you want. I always leave open the Master to carry out the tang as he wants: is an artist and artists are free men!
I understand your excitement, but the same thing happens to me! I'm very happy for you!

I agree with you, Stefano. Mastro Livi is very special and in many ways. Although I sometimes ask him to make a tang the way I like, I agree with the fact you should let Mastro Livi expressing his art. And, like you rightly pointed out, artists are free and they should let their genius freely flow.
By the way: this razor is a real beauty!

Razorguy (alias Antonello) is a true gentleman and it is always helpful and hospitable, he's from Perugia too. As much as I can, if someone wants to come to Italy and sightseeing, including Mastro Livi's laboratory, I'm available!

Well that is certainly a trip I would love to take at some point. I think I will save it for when I order a full carbon damascus razor

my offer is still valid. Every time you want!

That's very kind of you and I will have to take you up on the offer one day,

So I just had the best shave I have had in a long time.
Prep - Chanel face wash , proraso white pre cream
Soap - col Cronk bay rum
Razor - 6/8 mastro livi damasteel damascus
Ice cold splash , thayers rose
Dr Harris milk cream

Result BBS !!!

Hi all, Im not sure if this is where I should post my question, but here goes... I have viewed everyones pictures of Mastro Livi's work and I am impressed, some very beautiful razors. And the experience of commissioning a custom and to visit Mastro Livi's workshop would be something one could remember fondly and worth more than a few $ in the bank, but is there anything that makes his work better than other great custom builders? I see great work from Joe Chandler, Robert Williams, Max Sprecher, Charlie lewis, etc (an non exhaustive list and not wanting to offend anyone else not mentioned, but trying to keep the example short), and also from other builders not commonly mentioned on this site, yet no builder seems to have the following that Mastro Livi does.

Is it exclusivity?, has be been doing it longer than anyone else?, do his razors shave better? I ask this as a novice, and certainly think a shavable piece of art is worth his price or that charged by other great craftsmen. Is it similar to one desiring something from an artist such as Picasso over other artists less well knows who are more technically able? Is it the the way he turns a purchase into an experience to remember? Is it that he is so well known and will produce a finite number of razors in his lifetime so it is seen as a better "investment" than others?

I'd really like to hear everyones' opinions on this. Cheers, Andrew