[vschwager]

I had always wanted a razor that looked like the legendary Thiers Issard Historic razor made by Monsieur Issard himself, however, since I was too late to get one I decided to have Mastro Livi make one for me - and boys, was that a treat!!!

I scheduled an appointment with Mastro Livi, this past saturday, and he more than gladly showed me around his shop. I was truly happy to finally visit him in his "temple", his workshop near Perugia in Italy.

After showing me around, Mastro Livi set out deciding what kind of a razor I wanted: simply put I wanted the following

• Looked "hammered" and forged by hand (brut de forge)
• Its shape resembles the TI I loved so much
• Stailess Steel scales (Damascus)
• 5/8ths

Well, these are the pictures...the look is rough, primordial, bare, essential, but being all stainless steel, practically maintenance and rust free.
It took an entire day to make it, and we also shot a video which Mastro Livi hopes to post soon. I must say that it's a time consuming and labor intensive process, since Mastro Livi virtually makes everything by hand, and if he does not, he still needs to adjust practically everything to the razor being made.

After finishing it, Mastro Livi and I decided to proceed with a shave...well, what can I say, this scary looking razor delivered a silky smooth shave, exactly what I wanted and nothing less.

I wish to thank Mastro Livi for the wonderful experience he gave me this past saturday and I look forward to watching the edited video.

If you guys happen to visit Central Italy, or Perugia in particular, and wish to pay a visit to Mastro Livi, he would be more than glad to show you around his shop and, if you wish, you may also ask Mastro Livi to schedule an appointment to make your very own razor according to your spec. A truly wonderful experience, thanks in no small measure to Mastro Livi endless enthusiasm for his trade, a business which he takes very, very seriously.

Thanks for the hospitality Linn, we spoke about you for quite a while, I guess your ears must have been "buzzing" all the time :-)

[Ockham]

Mastro Livi made you a really nice razor! and a good homage to the historical TI. Thank you for sharing!

To stimulate your RAD *evil grin*, I don't think you even are too late to have one of the historical Pierre Thiers; few of them are still available at least there: Historical expensive, but available (you have to scroll down a little until you'll find the 5/8 Historical Pierre Thiers)...

[Utopian]

Where will the video be posted? I would assume there would be a lot of interest in it. Along those lines, does anyone know of any other videos of the work in his shop?

[vschwager]

Mastro Livi has made a couple of DVDs, one is shot in his shop in Perugia, and the other one was filmed in the small town of Scarperia, at the annual knives fair held ther, Linn Abrams was there as well, and it's really a great video to have. There you can see the entire process of Razor Making from scratch, adopted by Mastro Livi. I think you can order it either from Lynn or from Mastro Livi himself, I guess you might have to pay for postage....it's worth it though.

[Chady]

I have yet to see a video of the shop. Only seen pictures of it. You get the dvd of the knifeshow in Scarperia when you buy one of his razors, or at least you used to dunno if its changed.

I have a brush from him in transit somewhere since the 13'th, hope its not lost but I fear the worst. Getting stuff from the US is faster than going through Italy's mail service it seems =).

I guess we could try and ask them if its ok to upload it to a videosite. Doesn't seem like they are making money on it.

[mastermute]

Congratulations! That razor looks great! And it sounds like you had a great experience too!

[vschwager]

Don't fear about the brush, it's August and everything crawls to an halt in Italy during August, keep hoping! Anyway, Mastro Livi would gladly send you his dvd filemd in the shop, I think Lynn has one on classicshaving....

I don't think it would be a problem at all uploading the video, actually Mastro Livi would be more than happy, that's why we shot it in first place...

Regarding the Thiers Issard, thans for the link, I already put it on my preferites, I really thought I could not find any anymore...but now with my Livi, I feel like I would betray him with another....silly uh?