I'm with Winblows. Learn the shave first w/ pro-quality edges. I chose to try to learn honing & str8 shaving at he same time, and it was a colorful experience. I'm called pinklather for a reason. Shaves were a challenge, but not a pleasure. My first good edge was a game changer. Shaving was now a pleasure. The excitement at learning the straight and honing is very strong. I understand that. I'm just saying that in hindsight, I'd have learned the shave *much* faster if I had good edges.