Hey we all have to learn sometime, I was a noob at one time and so was everyone else here. And I am a noob compared to everyone else.
I haven't used a brush yet and hadn't even thought about it until reading this thread. I just get my head wet, lather up with Schick Hydro gel, wait a minute or so, and start my shave. No problems but my hair isn't very coarse.
I used a plain army shoe polish brush - not a used one. That would be a disaster. It worked great for me, but I'm a noob so what do I know?
I had to read that twice.

Well at least it was a clean brush.

In the army you make do with what you have.LOL.
I guess the alternative would be to put some polish on the brush and paint my head jet black.
There's a member here(Happy Harry),who recommended the Nivea shaving cream.
At first,I tried to use it with my hands and only on my face,for the sake of testing,and almost cut my skin off.
I left it alone,as it only cost me a couple of bucks.
Because of your thread,I went yesterday and bought a shaving brush.(quite sure it's synthetic,because of the low price.Maybe it's Bore hair,in the best case)
Man,it's a whole different world!
I've been using the Edge Gel since I ever started shaving,when I was about 16 years old,and this change is a bliss.
My skin feels quite good on my face,and excellent on my scalp.
I didn't cut myself,the HeadBlade unit ran smoother,and got less clogged,and best of all-My skin feels so fresh,and there is no irritation at all!.
I haven't used the HeadBlade Shaving cream yet,but the Nivea with the brush is a winner!
So anxious to get the HeadBlade Shaving cream,but that's another story.
So,to sum it all up-Go for it,Buddy!
Yohai.