Hello Squeeze & welcome aboard. Sorry I'm late to the party. Sounds like you are going for the best shave you can get. The Beginners Guide is the place to start & go from there. You're most important tool for a straight razor is a strop & knowing how to use it. You will see that in the Library. You can also practice stropping with a butterknife so you don't cut your strop & dull a good edge on a razor. Show us your razor's. We show our razor's off to others. Be patient & take your time & you will be okay. Great to have you here. Good luck my friend.