I find it amusing that you didn't ask the MTF girls, since we almost invariably have a lot more experience with shaving facial hair. Shave during or immediately after a nice hot shower, so your hair is at its softest. If you don't have time for one, put a hot, wet rag over your the area you need to shave for a couple of minutes. Shave down (with the grain) on the first run, then up after applying fresh shaving cream/gel/soap/whatever. When you do start T, and it starts becoming thicker and coarser, you'll find it helpful to experiment with different facial expressions that stretch the skin for the closest shave possible. This is especially true around the mouth. Around the sideburns, with your razor in dominant hand, use your other hand to pull upward on your skin while you shave up (after shaving down, of course.) Regarding straight razors, I've used them, and found that while they do have a certain "extra-manly" appeal to them (if that's what floats your boat,) they don't work any better than any other disposable kind, and without a lot of practice, they do a worse job.
