There is nothing wrong with learning to shave and learning to hone at the same time. I learned the honing first. The problem comes when you try to shave with a blade you are learning to hone on. Get a Shavette or a properly sharpened blade, shave with it and leave it alone while you practice your honing skills on flea market and antique store blades. You shouldn't have to spend more than $10.00 on a blade you are just practicing honing on. I didn't find learning both at the same time confusing at all. Combining the two processes is probably unwise and rough on the face.