I'm newbie too.
When I first started, I read a lot. And I took the advice of those who are experienced and who act as mentors to folks like me.
I started slow. I started with a shave-ready razor. I visited someone who showed me some basics - shave angle, grip, stropping. I took it easy - and generally speaking I've had and excellent experience so far.
Also I didn't go near hones. At least, not until I had worked downwards - initially just stropping, then a pasted strop, the finally a small finishing hone, and now more recently I've acquired a 3K/8K Naniwa. At each step going slowly and deliberately, trying to
understand and to
learn the craft. I have a long way to go - but I feel like I'm on the right path, one step at a time.
So, i don't want to sound disparaging, and certainly I mean no disrespect, but if you take some of the advice on here to heart, you may not get frustrated after a few weeks.
- Send your FR (Fred Reynolds) out to get professionally honed
- Go over your technique with someone who can help - if you let us know where you are on the east coast (that's pretty broad), maybe there might be a member near you.
Good luck to you.