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Mastro Livi School

Pjotr said:
Good God, that's 50 new/different straights per year. One a week roughly. You must spend hours a week on the stones and strops. I'm so glad I haven't been cursed with the straight razor bug. In terms of a razors collected/razors used ratio that's insane and puts even our very own @Mark1966 to shame.
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I guess no one is ever put to shame, not to mention for what I do! :-)
In the past it happened I honed a lot of razors for people who were sending their straight razors to me in order to fix or hone them. As a mater of fact, I have always done this for free and never charged a cent for my honing, saved shipping costs.
That's why I could try and test that humble number of razors, to which I have to add the ones in my collection, now counting about 250 items.
It is now happening less and less because I see there are many wet shavers in the world who offer a honing service and I am glad I am not alone here. Things were a little different in the past - about 5-10 years ago - and those who wanted to start shaving with a straight razor could not get so much information or help. Things improved quite a lot and there is more knowledge available - including false and wrong knowledge - and this explains the fact I hone less and less razors for others. I however continue honing and restoring my own razors and it is a lot of fun.
As for the time spent on stones and strops, in the beginning I used to spend a lot of time in honing one single razor, today I need far less time and, I like to admit this, also thanks to the precious insights Mastro Livi gave me. I will always be grateful to him for that.
 
bald as said:
@razorguy very few can say they have been guided by Mastro Livi. I can but only because of your videos.
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No, don't get me wrong and I am sorry for this misunderstanding.
I cannot be considered by any way a "Mastro Livi student" as he never taught me anything or guided me. Let's say I learned something - better to say, a very little - by simply watching what he does.
Having said this, I don't think I could ever make a straight razor - I simply cannot do that, my job is different - and, no matter of this, I don't think my skill in honing can be compared to Mastro Livi's.
I am however very glad to know the videos I make are useful to you and to all wet shavers. That's the main spirit with which I am making those videos and putting a lot of effort in making them. Thank you for taking the time to watch my videos.
 
@razorguy mine was just an expression meaning you are very fortunate to know Mastro Livi personally and and as such benefit in an excellent way from that association. I would imagine you can learn so much just by watching.
 

Part Eight: How to Use a Straight Razor Strop. Leather strop types and their use for properly stropping a straight razor. Hanging strop, paddle strop and loom strop proper use, characteristics of each type and importance of stropping a razor in order to keep the edge smooth and comfortable for a long time. How to use abrasive paste and cream with a leather strop.​
 
Livi has polarizing views on stropping that is for sure. The technique he (an expert) uses is one that I personally (an nobody) would not use, nor recommend to a new user. It's too advanced, too easy to damage the edge, and the strop. There is a reason the commonly recommended techniques (rolling the spine on the strop) are commonly recommended techniques. Same goes with the pastes. He has many foaming at the mouth screaming "too much!" It obviously works for him though so who am I to criticize. I am just saying there are easier and safer stropping techniques.

Thanks for the video @razorguy. Both my father and I have really enjoyed the whole series so far and love the insight it gives. (y) I love how he palm strops the edge before dulling it on the glass!
 
Sxot said:
Livi has polarizing views on stropping that is for sure. The technique he (an expert) uses is one that I personally (an nobody) would not use, nor recommend to a new user. It's too advanced, too easy to damage the edge, and the strop. There is a reason the commonly recommended techniques (rolling the spine on the strop) are commonly recommended techniques. Same goes with the pastes. He has many foaming at the mouth screaming "too much!" It obviously works for him though so who am I to criticize. I am just saying there are easier and safer stropping techniques.

Thanks for the video @razorguy. Both my father and I have really enjoyed the whole series so far and love the insight it gives. (y) I love how he palm strops the edge before dulling it on the glass!
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Thank you for taking the time of watching this video and I am glad you and your father enjoyed the episodes published so far. I hope you can both continue watching my videos with the same very enjoyment. (y)
As for the stropping technique taught by Mastro Livi in this video, I would strongly recommend it to any beginner or new user. I have personally witnessed Mastro Livi teaching "his technique" to new users who were visiting his laboratory and, as far as I can tell, nobody damaged the razor or strop. Indeed, many reported this technique to work very well while avoiding such damages while improving their "shaving experience" and limiting the use of hones. Not to mention, I too use it since the day I met Mastro Livi and, in my opinion, it is absolutely easy and effective.
I of course respect your opinion and I am sure you have a reason, certainly more than one, to support what you say but, according to my own experience, the "basic technique" taught to beginners as well as recommending a hanging strop is not the best way to introduce a new user to straight razor shaving and maintenance.
This is my opinion, my very personal opinion, of course.
 
Well, like I say - what do I know! Maybe it's because it is so different, and lifting the blade off the stop is such a no-no is the reason it is feared.
Livi certainly is an expert in his field so maybe I will give it a go!
 

Mastro Livi School: A practical course on using and maintaining your straight razor. From understanding a straight razor to honing and shaving.

Part Nine: How to Use Mastro Livi Loom Strop with a Straight Razor or Kamisori. How to properly use Mastro Livi loom strop in order to correctly strop a straight razor or a kamisori. Common mistakes to avoid while stropping and how to ensure the best edge for your straight razor or kamisori for a very long time while getting the most comfortable shave.​
 
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