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

Saturday 7 May 2016



Shaving in Blue

In this sunny spring day I felt like shaving with products having something blue. My pre-shave oil - with its blue glass bottle - Nivea shaving cream with a blue tube and then Mennen Blue aftershave. The only two exceptions were the stellar Mastro Livi carbon Damascus straight razor and the glorious Omega 48 professional brush. I have to tell I like the Mennen Blue aftershave quite a lot, maybe I like it more than Mennen Skin Bracer, although I like both. As for the shave, it was impeccable, smooth and velvety thanks to this awesome razor having an extra full hollow grinding with a superb cutting edge, giving a very close shave. Impeccable and magnificent BBS!

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: Nivea Shaving Cream
• Brush: Omega 48 Professional
• 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: Argan Oil
• After Shave: Mennen Blue

Tuesday 10 May 2016



Mastro Livi Carbon Damascus "100 Layers", 13/16 Extra Hollow, Square Point

Still on the road and still traveling with this Mastro Livi one hundread layers carbon damascus razor. Today's shave was also the occasion to test this Omega Hi-Brush Barber's Pole. After having tried for a long time to get an Omega brush with a Hi-Brush loft, I finally managed to buy one in a shop. I opted for this lovely barber's pole handle which was, in my opinion, a little disappointing. The barber's pole usually consists in a tube with spiraling stripes giving the well known effect when in motion. This brush looks like a real barber's pole only if you watch in from the front, while if you turn it to a different position you do not have the spiral effect anymore. As for the loft, I must say this Omega Hi-Brush is very good, certainly one of the very best synthetic brushes I have ever tested, very soft yet being quite stiff, giving a nice feedback on the skin as well as being very good in mounting lather. The finishing touch was provided by Pinaud Clubman Special Reserve aftershave, one of my favorite fragrances. I simply love it!

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: De Vergulde Hande
• Brush: Omega Hi-Brush 146735 Barber's Pole
• 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 Olive Oil
• After Shave: Pinaud Clubman Special Reserve

I am very proud to show you the three Mastro Livi Grifetto razors I have in my collection. Excellent razors, awesome shavers! I hope to add to my collection the remaining three models with cocobolo, black African ebony and abalone scales. Amazing Grifetto!
From left to right: Mastro Livi Grifetto 60 (camel bone scales with olive wood insert and the Italian flag to celebrate Mastro Livi's 60 years of commitment in the straight razor field), Original Grifetto (with olive wood scales) and Grifetto with white mother of pearl scales.

Sunday 15 May 2016



Mastro Livi Inox "Grifone", 9/8 Full Hollow, Livi Snake Point

Sunday shave, Mastro Livi shave. This is what I usually do on Sundays when I generally have more time to dedicate to my shave. And on Sundays I always use the very best razors I have in my collection and they of course are Mastro Livi razors. Today I shaved with this superb "Grifone" (i.e. the "big gryphon") and it is named like that because it has been made with the very same stainless steel Mastro Livi uses for his Grifetto and, because of the size, he wanted to call it "Grifone". It is a gorgeous straight razor and the stainless steel Mastro Livi uses for Grifetto proves, once again, to make incredible straight razors. Smooth, velvety and keen, giving a close and impeccable BBS shave.

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: Geo F. Trumper Almond Shaving Cream
• Brush: Omega Hi-Brush 46751, 24mm knot
• Bowl: Old Barber Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Medium Loom Strop "Coramella Italiana" and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi Inox "Grifone", 9/8 Full Hollow, Livi Snake Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Argan Oil
• After Shave: Floïd Blue

Sunday 22 May 2016



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

What a refreshing shave! My Thyrrenus aftershave is incredible in giving a super cooling and freezing effect on the skin, the ideal touch for this sunny and warm spring day. The shave was super smooth and close, thanks to the roundness of this Mastro Livi K720 razor, a carbon steel giving on the skin a pleasing sensation. It is not as round as K600 carbon steel, however you can tell it is not stainless steel. The Aguzzeria del Cavallo confirms to be a very good shaving soap, one of the best Italian shaving soaps around, too bad you can get it only by visiting their shop in Bologna. Excellent soap with a charming almond aroma, absolutely Italian touch.

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: Aguzzeria del Cavallo
• Brush: Mastro Livi Super Silvertip, Padouk Handle, 24mm knot
• Bowl: Mastro Livi Olive Wood 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: Umbrian Extravirgin Olive Oil
• After Shave: RazorGuy Thyrrenus

Razorguy: Just finished reading your narrative.
A thing I have not mentioned about myself is that I play classical guitar. I also play the mandolin, violin and banjo, so I understand exactly what you are saying. In the luthier world there are so many craftsmen in making the guitar, all, more or less, exclusively dedicated to the classical instrument. When I see these instruments I weep because I know I will never own one; they are made for professional performers, not teachers, or mechanics, or carpenters. They strive for excellence that will meet the performers desire and the audience's ear. Some of these instruments command prices as high as $25,000, the vintage instruments go into the millions (I am speaking generally here now).
You have brought to my attention that sometimes it is merely respect and appreciation for what a craftsman does. It reminds me that I am nothing, but brought into the presence of beauty you become something for a moment in that instance of your sincerity. I buy old, beat up, used up straight razors from antique shops, but they must show me that there is some beauty there, because these are the only ones I can afford. Every one shaves differently on the limited acreage of my face. I may be wrong, but it appears that you have been working on this narrative for awhile because you wanted as perfect a presentation as you could get. Right now this old , tired man, eyes filled with tears understanding exactly what you are feeling. You sir have been blessed and I too for the opportunity to have read such a well crafted narrative.

Well said Glock; I feel like you.

I also believe that part of the attraction of shaving with straight razors is that we have learned to work with a tool where one has to make a conscious effort to master the skill, that can give a shave that is surpassed by no other shaving instrument, and where the end results depend on the skilled craftsman who made the razor, the craftsman who maintains the razor, and yes also on the craftsman who has mastered the skill to use the razor.

I don't believe in the "art of shaving"; what I practice is not an art but a skill or craft that can be mastered by most who are willing to invest the necessary patience, effort and resilience.
In that way we are indeed not far from those learning to play a musical instrument.
And similar to musical instruments, some straight razors perform better than others and I always find a deep pleasure and satisfaction when shaving with a Mastro Livi razor.

I also admit that in a way I envy Mastro Livi himself, who finds obvious pleasure in creating something with his hands that stands out above the rank and file, who can set his own timetable while doing so, and who obviously enjoys passing the sum of his insights and experience on to us.
I always felt that this is one of the keys to a lifestyle that can make a man happy.


K.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Beluga: Actually I don't know what to say. I always wished I had the money to get what I would like and I am not talking about gold plated faucets. As I mentioned, I play classical guitar. Some of my first instruments were beasts, and at the time $300 to $400 instruments were daemons to play. Maybe 12 to 14 years ago I came into a windfall. My wife and I discussed it (she likes to spend money to buy things that make her feel good/as most of us do). She took 1/3rd and I took 1/3 and the other was invested. I wanted a decent guitar to play, not one I had to struggle and fight with. When the windfall hit my synapsis sparkled like the fourth of July. I knew exactly the first purchase would be. Yep. I went the distance a hand crafted classical guitar from a luthier. Thirteen years ago it was a $4000 instrument. It was a worthy investment, but now with my osteoarthritis I have come to an end. The ability to have flexibility in the hands and fingers is crucial to great performance. Using a straight razor requires a steady hand. On many occasions my hands shake like a leaf in the wind, so I have to use two hands to steady the razor, stretch the skin and cut. Fortunately I only get a few nicks here and there so its not too bad, but at times I just have to go to the crude safety razor.
I am not sure I have made any sense here except that I am or was willing to pay a price for a musical instrument but would not pay $300 and up for a straight razor. I just like them, over the reason I switched because I didn't like the price of refills for safety razors. I see where I am a replacement five pack is $30.
I'm gonna give up now. Note there is no obligation for you to reply, just talkin.
Glock27

Originally Posted by Glock27

Razorguy: Just finished reading your narrative....

Dear Sir,
I have just finished reading your comment which I somehow missed noticing and I do apologize for this.
I too understand what you mean as I too play some musical instruments and I can understand how you feel when you see a rare or artisan made instrument and realize you cannot afford it. I do feel that in many regards of my hobbies and interests, not just straight razors or music.
I am grateful to you for the kind words of appreciation you expressed about my humble write up and I am glad you could get the very essence of my feelings because, first of all, I wanted to share my experience which started the day I entered Mastro Livi shop and this changed everything in how I see and feel razors, shaving and maintenance. It is not a matter of how many and which razors you own or can afford, it rather is to feel what's behind all that and, as for Mastro Livi, a lifetime committed to straight razors, a tool he is very passionate about. I know I am lucky for living just few miles away from his workshop and, not to mention, the fact Mastro Livi and I became good friends during these three years. A time in which I could appreciate both the artist and the man, his honesty and loyalty, generosity and good heart.
I also thank you for appreciating my narrative and this flatters me quite a lot because, I am sure you guess it, I am Italian and English is not my native language and secondly for some reasons associated to my job - which is not about straight razor or shaving - and I am very flattered by your appreciation. As a matter of fact, I did not worked on this narrative for awhile, but simply wrote it by following what my mind and feelings were telling me at that particular moment.

Thank you very much indeed.

With my most respectful and kindest regards.

RazorGuy: You humble me.
I cannot imagine meeting, discussing a topic and developing a friendship with a master of arts. I met Marcos Diaz, Classical guitarist and have listened to his performances live. He lives in South America and teaches at a University. Classical performers do not have the luxury of the un-nameable music cranked out today. These people study their entire lives and never reach the financial stability of the "rock star", ergo many have to supplement their income in some manner other than performing, there is just not the audience for it.
Your written English is magnificent and I believe you achieved your expression rather perfectly. I merely assumed that you made a draft and refined it, rather than to let it fly off the top of your head. I have attempted to learn another language, but never had the stick to it strength. I wish you all the fortune and the greatest pleasure and satisfaction with your new razor.
With all due respect
Glock 27