Thread: Saludos!

My name is Nelson and I'm a professional musician (trumpeter) from New York City. I have used a straight for close to thirty years (I'm 45.) This is the way my father (also a straight user) taught me and I've never had reason to change. I have used cartridge razor a handful of times while on tour with very negative results, never again. Great site, thank you in advance for the great information.

Welcome to SRP. Sounds like you have many years of experience. I'm looking forward to hearing some of that wisdom.

+1 on the wisdom.

Are you still using the same razor? Has your choice in brush or soap/cream changed any?

Questions, questions.

Welcome to SRP Nelson ! I'd love to know if you maintain your blades with a barber hone ?

Originally Posted by singlewedge

+1 on the wisdom.

Are you still using the same razor? Has your choice in brush or soap/cream changed any?

Questions, questions.

I was using the Boker my father gave me when I was 17 until 2004. I had it restored and gave it back to him. He is 88 and has never used anything but a str8. My son has shown interest in str8s as well. I now use a Dovo Special & Bismarck. I do use a Sanguine shavette when I travel.

As far as soaps, my choices have changed considerably from Colgate (the best soap available in Puerto Rico in late 70's) to basically everything under the sun. My current rotation consists of (soaps only, never tried creams) Proraso Aloe/Green Tea, Mama Bear's, C&E Sandalwood, Nana June's Sandalwood and Bay Rum, Kent, Pre de Provence and L'Occitane Cade. I really like the French soaps, it may be a shea butter thing. My "go to" soap is the L'Occitane.


Brushs, I use a vintage Plisson, a AOS pure badger, a EJ boar and a restored Century brush with a Super Badger (Golden Nib) 22 mm knot. I still have my father’s U.S. Army issue Ever Ready which I intend to restore personally.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Welcome to SRP Nelson ! I'd love to know if you maintain your blades with a barber hone ?

I get my str8s professionally honed. I wish I could do it myself but don't want to butcher the job. Honing is a craftsman type of skill IMO. I do use a vintage Illinois strop though.

Hello and welcome to SRP!
Where in NYC do you play?

Hola and welcome to SRP, after 30+ yrs cant wait to hear some of the stories.

Originally Posted by Bayamontate

I get my str8s professionally honed. I wish I could do it myself but don't want to butcher the job. Honing is a craftsman type of skill IMO. I do use a vintage Illinois strop though.

Just saw two good documentaries on PBS in the last couple of weeks. One on Ceila Cruz and the other on La Lupe. At one time there was quite a bit going on in NY with Latin music.

Originally Posted by bassguy

Hello and welcome to SRP!
Where in NYC do you play?

Salsa (latin) scene in NYC is non-existent, mostly club dates and gingles.

YouTube - Tito Nieves Live 5