You've got all the right merchandise on the way so you shouldn't need to worry about any of that. Don't be nervous, just be attentive and keep breathing ... in with the good air ... out with the bad. Stay loose and you should be fine. Remember, the first rule is to know where all parts of that edge are at all times. I also say that the only time to have a straight razor open is to strop it, hone it or shave with it. My FIL cut one of his finger pads off a few weeks ago because he was rubbing down his strop with his palm while holding an open razor and the strop in his other hand at the same time. He may be too spooked to continue with straight shaving for a while. Keep focussed on the task at hand and prioritise properly because you will eventually pay for making silly mistakes. Your primary objective is not to get the best shave of your life out of the gate. It is to do yourself no harm. Keep all your ducks in a row, let the shaves land how they will and in no time you'll be hooked like the rest of us.

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