How to be a beginner

First off, welcome to SRP! You might be about to enjoy shaving alot more.

I found this website about a year ago, started getting interested in changing shaving from what was just canned cream and a cartridge razor. I read a bunch of posts and was chomping on the bit to get a blade and start. Well thankfully I held off because my budget was limited. Over time I aquired an antique store razor, a german forged and made one. Found out here what to look for, no nicks, no chips, not too rusted, no or few black spots(devils spit), not much hone wear....etc. I found a blade for cheap, under $10 and the scales were broken. Blade was sharp enough to take hair off my arm but I knew it needed work before a real shave.

I found a local mentor, Randy aka randydance062449, he was able to meet with me and very willing to help me out. The whole process of restoring the blade, replacing the scales, and honeing the blade only took a few hours of work but due to my schedule being a bit crazy these few hours were spanned over 6-8 months.

Last night we finished up my razor and I got a lesson on how to strop as well as care for my razor. Also several months ago I picked up some VDH soap ($1.50 at Walmart for a puck, a great soap to learn lathering on), I picked up a tweezerman brush from Target ($10 or so). I learned how to wet shave, this learning curve takes a bit but after about a month making a great lather is easy and you can shave better than ever before. That alone will make the most difference. It isn't the blade I have learned. A good shave starts with beard prep, lathering, a focus on beard reduction, not elimination, and post shave treatment that works for you.

I have my SR now and after a year of absorbing everything on this forum from all the experts here I have 3 SR shaves down with no real nicks.

I write this post to hopefully help beginners realize that first off they need to cool it down for a minute, read everything on this forum, pay attention to:
-DON'T use pressure when shaving
-Prep is more important than anything you are going to ask or have problems with, so learn propper prep and what works for your face!
-the angle on your face is about 2 spine lengths from your face.
-If it hurts STOP STOP STOP
-Get in touch with a local mentor, they help...Alot!
-Have fun, learn, and take what you read and try to apply it

If you take time to really understand what you are doing and what all information available is telling you, then you will have a great experience with your SR shaving.

Hope this helps newbies!