Welcome. I too have a goatee, and I also keep some pretty good mutton chops. When I was first learning, I sacrificed the chops-- now when I look back on it, it was probably uneccessary, because I ended up doing two full passes on my first try anyway. So, go for it. Just be prepared, because once you get the hang of straight shaving, you'll love it so much that you'll contemplate losing that beard almost every day (I know I do). But if you keep it, you'll have the most well-trimmed beard of anyone you know. And don't hesitate to ask any questions, the guys on here are the best.