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

It was a planned addition and it is now real at last! Yesterday Mastro Livi made the last item of my Italian Shaving Set and he made the matching straight razor for the brush and strop. I wanted a very special straight razor for this set and I thought about it quite a lot and shared opinions with Mastro Livi quite a lot. He of course added his own ideas, something I like very much when I ask Mastro Livi to make razors for me. It would in fact be quite silly not taking advantage of Mastro Livi's wisdom, insight and impressive experience in straight razor making. At the end I decided for a hand forged blade (that is completely forged by hand and just using forge, hammer and anvil) two mother of pearl inlays in the tang as well as an Italian flag on top of it, scales similar to the brush and strop.
Mastro Livi started making this razor at 9:30AM and finished it at 4:30AM of the day after: 19 hours of hard work for the making of this beauty for a breathtaking masterpiece. I wanted to shoot a video about the making of this straight razor to be treasured in my memories. I will of course share and publish this video very soon.
Ladies and gentleman, I am very proud to show you my Mastro Livi "Hand Forged" Italian Razor and the matching Italian Shaving Set!

Mastro Livi K600 "Hand Forged" Italian Razor

• Blade: 15/16 Full Hollow, French Point, with Mother of Pearl inlays in the tang and Italian flag insert made of Jade, White Turquoise, Coral
• Steel: K600 Carbon Steel, Hand Forged
• Handle: Olive wood with Amboyna, Pau Violeto, Juniper, Makassar ebony inlays and Italian flag inlay made of Jade, White Turquoise, Coral

"Forgiato a Mano" (hand forged) hand written by Mastro Livi




Top view of Mastro Livi "Hand Forged" Italian Razor. Note the hammering marks in the spine and tang as well as the Italian flag inlay




Monkey tail with hammering marks




My Mastro Livi Shaving Italian set is now completed and I am very proud of it!

Sunday 20 December 2015



My Mastro Livi Shaving Set, at Last!

It has been such a joy today to shave with my Mastro Livi shaving set! I waited many months for this to happen, by ordering one piece at a time, and I finally have in my collection a complete Mastro Livi Shaving Set. The last piece of the set was the straight razor and Mastro Livi finally made it last Saturday, adding a breathtaking masterpiece to this set. It is in fact an artisanal straight razor, totally hand forged by Mastro Livi and by using a forge, hammer and anvil, putting talent, craftsmanship and art to this awesome straight razor. I opted for a French point because I wanted to see the hammer marks on the whole spine and profile and I must admit it has been a magnificent choice. The point of this razor is in fact super precise, not to mention super sharp, making very easy the shaving of tricky spots of the face. I should also add this K600 carbon steel is capable of giving a super velvety sensation to the skin as well as delivering a very deep, close and smooth shave. I am absolutely very proud of this hand forged straight razor not to mention my Mastro Livi Shaving Set. Now completed, at last!

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: RazorGuy Shaving Soap
• Brush: Mastro Livi Badger "Pennello Italiano", 22mm knot
• Bowl: Gerby Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Medium Loom Strop "Coramella Italiana" and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi K600 "Forgiato a Mano" Rasoio Italiano, 15/16 Full Hollow, French Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Umbria Extravirgin Olive Oil
• After Shave: RazorGuy Bay Rum

Friday 25 December 2015



Mastro Livi Symmetrical Kamisori

Today I finally had the chance to try this Mastro Livi symmetrical kamisori and I was very impressed by the ease of use and the performance in shaving. A symmetrical kamisori needs a different shaving technique from the traditional kamisori, however giving a very good shave. The point of this symmetrical kamisori seems to be very effective and precise, altough tricky just like any kamisori, however super precise. The pattern of the Damasteel used for this kamisori is "Odin's eye" and I opted for this one as it was a pattern missing in my collection. I also used one of my favorite shaving soaps - Boellis Panama 1924 - as I have a passion for almond scented soaps belonging to the Italian tradition, this is one of my favorite ones. Impeccable and super pleasurable shave!

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: Boellis Panama 1924 Shaving Soap
• Brush: Mastro Livi Silvertip Badger, 26mm knot
• Bowl: Old Barber Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Medium Loom Strop "Coramella Italiana" and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi Symmetrical Kamisori, 11/16 Full Hollow, French Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Argan Oil
• After Shave: Myrsol F./Extra

Sunday 27 December 2015



Mastro Livi K720, 7/8 Full Hollow, Square Point

After having tried my Mastro Livi "hand forged" straight razor made of K600 carbon steel, I wanted to compare it with the other Mastro Livi I have and made with plain carbon steel, that is K720 carbon steel. They certainly are superlative shavers, altough giving a completely different feel on the skin. They certainly both are super excellent shavers, but I guess I like the K600 better because it seems to provide a softer touch with a more velvety feel. This K720 blade is however an excellent shaver, giving a super smooth shave and, also thanks to my beloved P.160 shaving soap - too bad it is no longer in production - it was capable of gliding on my skin like a feather. I wanted to use this Zenith 506 silvertip badger brush, a good brush however not impressing me that much. The finishing touch has been provided by the luxurious Floïd Blue, also in this case too bad they decided to quit production. Floïd Blue will certainly be missed very much indeed.

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: Nuova Elberel P.160 Professional Morbido
• Brush: Zenith Extra Silvertip Badger 506 - 26mm knot
• Bowl: Gerby Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Medium Loom Strop "Coramella Italiana" and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi K720, 7/8 Full Hollow, Square Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Umbria Extravirgin Olive Oil
• After Shave: Floïd Blue

I am very glad to post the pictures of the making of my Mastro Livi Soap Bowl and Badger Brush. The bowl and brush handle are made of olive wood, a wood I love because of his beautiful pattern and, of course, because it is a very common and typical wood of Umbria, my region and homeland, a noble tree from which we harvest the precious olive berries for the making of what we call the "liquid gold", that is extravirgin olive oil. A versatile oil not only in cooking and for giving food a wonderful taste, but also a great post shave oil.
Ladies and gentlemen, Mastro Livi at the lathe making my Olive Wood Soap Bowl and matching Badger Brush!

Mastro Livi at the lathe making the bottom of the soap bowl





Shaping the bottom of the bowl





Shaping the bottom edge of the bowl





Mastro Livi refining the side of the bowl

I see that Mastro Livi does not use a respirator for respiratory protection. Maybe there is good ventilation?

Originally Posted by Gipson

I see that Mastro Livi does not use a respirator for respiratory protection. Maybe there is good ventilation?

Yes, sure! The whole laboratory is equipped with vacuum machines.

Originally Posted by razorguy

It was a planned addition and it is now real at last! Yesterday Mastro Livi made the last item of my Italian Shaving Set and he made the matching straight razor for the brush and strop. I wanted a very special straight razor for this set and I thought about it quite a lot and shared opinions with Mastro Livi quite a lot. He of course added his own ideas, something I like very much when I ask Mastro Livi to make razors for me. It would in fact be quite silly not taking advantage of Mastro Livi's wisdom, insight and impressive experience in straight razor making. At the end I decided for a hand forged blade (that is completely forged by hand and just using forge, hammer and anvil) two mother of pearl inlays in the tang as well as an Italian flag on top of it, scales similar to the brush and strop.
Mastro Livi started making this razor at 9:30AM and finished it at 4:30AM of the day after: 19 hours of hard work for the making of this beauty for a breathtaking masterpiece. I wanted to shoot a video about the making of this straight razor to be treasured in my memories. I will of course share and publish this video very soon.
Ladies and gentleman, I am very proud to show you my Mastro Livi "Hand Forged" Italian Razor and the matching Italian Shaving Set!

Mastro Livi K600 "Hand Forged" Italian Razor

• Blade: 15/16 Full Hollow, French Point, with Mother of Pearl inlays in the tang and Italian flag insert made of Jade, White Turquoise, Coral
• Steel: K600 Carbon Steel, Hand Forged
• Handle: Olive wood with Amboyna, Pau Violeto, Juniper, Makassar ebony inlays and Italian flag inlay made of Jade, White Turquoise, Coral

"Forgiato a Mano" (hand forged) hand written by Mastro Livi




Top view of Mastro Livi "Hand Forged" Italian Razor. Note the hammering marks in the spine and tang as well as the Italian flag inlay




Monkey tail with hammering marks




My Mastro Livi Shaving Italian set is now completed and I am very proud of it!

I really love this my friend!!!! I'm so happy your Mastro Livi collection is complete. Did you ever get the large loom strop?
I love french points. I actually have a G. Wostenholm that had a cracked tip & a crack at the heal, so I'm making a shorty from it & I cut the toe & ground a French point on it. It will be a sweet little shaver when I'm done with it. I'm making scales for it now & was all working on the wedge.
I think when I do get a Mastro Livi & if I have it custom made it will be a French point with a Texas flag in the scales. One of these days..................

Originally Posted by engine46

I really love this my friend!!!! I'm so happy your Mastro Livi collection is complete. Did you ever get the large loom strop?
I love french points. I actually have a G. Wostenholm that had a cracked tip & a crack at the heal, so I'm making a shorty from it & I cut the toe & ground a French point on it. It will be a sweet little shaver when I'm done with it. I'm making scales for it now & was all working on the wedge.
I think when I do get a Mastro Livi & if I have it custom made it will be a French point with a Texas flag in the scales. One of these days..................

It sounds you are having tons of fun in customizing your Wostenholm razor! They certainly are awesome shavers!
I do not own a large Mastro Livi loom strop and it actually is the only type I do not own. I am currently having - and using - travel, small and medium size strops and I like them all!
I of course wish you to get your custom Mastro Livi soon and I am sure you will enjoy it very much! :-)

The making of the olive wood handle for the matching brush






Mastro Livi at the lathe shaping the brush handle





The brush handle in olive wood is getting its shape