Today I received a package in the mail from fellow TSD enabler member Mike (@entropy1049 ). In the package were a number of items, including a wooden case containing this custom beauty: an 8/8 custom damascus straight razor from Mastro Livi of Italy. Now Mike warned me that this large blade was sharp. A few quick plucks of the edge with my thumb indicated this blade was indeed very sharp. I told Mike I was all set to give it a one-week shaving trial to really put it to the test. He wished me luck and, just so it would ease his conscience should anything dire come of my using this razor, he was kind enough to include the following items... Exsanguination notwithstanding, I begin the weeklong ordeal test run tomorrow!
I was fortunate to have a forum buddy who lives in Perugia (the same town that Mastro Livi's shop is located) who went and documented the creation of my razor. Some pics! A fascinating video of how he makes his damascus by my buddy razorguy here:
Kevin will be telling you all about how it shaves in this thread, but I can tell you it's very well behaved on the hones, and takes a good edge easily. I've looked at it under magnification up to 100x and can see no signs of chipping or delamination after honing.
