Learning how to shave with a straight razor does not have to be as scary as it looks. Straight razor shaving is actually very safe. Don't worry, you will not cut your jugular!
Here is the process for how to shave with a straight razor:
1. Prep your face. There is a reason why you will see barbers use hot towels before they shave a customer. Do the same thing by using a hot towel to cover your face. You can also take a hot shower to achieve a similar effect.
2. Make sure to get the hottest possible water from your sink. Once you have hot water flowing through the faucet fill your mug or bowl and soak your brush.
3. Using hot water, wet your face and then apply soap or cream to your to the brush. Swirl the brush until a nice foam forms.
4. Now that you have a nice foam apply the lather to your face. Use circular movements as you apply.
5. If you have not already done so, sharpen your razor with a hone or on the abrasive side of a strop.
6. Strop the razor. Take your time with this step. The longer you allow your beard to soak in the lather the easier the shave will be.
7. If needed, add more lather if it has dried out by now.
8. With one hand stretch the skin on your face until it is tight.
9. Now the important part - use a 20-30 degree angle of the blade to your skin. This is the reason why you will not cut deep into your skin.
10. Use 1-3 passes, depending on how smooth you want the shave and how much time you have.
11. Your first pass should be with the grain of your beard.
12. If you are using more than one pass, the second pass should be sideways to the grain of your beard. This is not really possible to do on your neck, but you can get your face and jawline on this second pass.
13. For the third pass you will want to go against the grain. This is the most dangerous step so it is best to see what you are doing. You can use just water on your face, instead of lather, so that you can better see.
14. You are now done shaving and should have a nice smooth face! You have now learned how to shave with a straight razor.
15. Rinse the lather from your face with cold water. You want to use cold water so that the pores on your face close.
16. Make sure that you fully rinse and dry your razor. A good straight razor will last for many years as long as it is properly maintained.
I hope this helps with your quest on how to shave with a straight razor.