A few questions from a new owner

Hi guys! I've searched my questions, and nothing came up, so here we go!

1: My conure Cricket loves to rub his beak on his perch, kind of like when you're sharpening a knife on either side of a whetstone. I'm getting the idea from these posts that that's normal, but just in case...is it?

2: I'm training him to step up, but he won't. Even when I have the guts to push on his belly, he just reaches down with his beak to nip me. He's a beak-first climber, though, so do I just need to suck it up and let him do it that way, even though he's (thus far) only attempting to bite me? Or do I just need to have patience? As in, does he need to get more used to me first? I got him Monday, but I can already pet him quite often without him trying to nip me. He even backs up to my hand now.

Rubbing his beak against a perch is perfectly normal

I would say to give him some time, everything is still so new for him and it sounds like he is starting to trust you. If he uses his beak to step up, it's important that you don't jerk back, which is a normal response if he is really trying to step up. He may be making sure that your hand is a safe place to stand by using his beak first
I wouldn't force it at this point, I would let him settle in to his new environment first.

The beak thing is not only normal, but is actually a good thing. The more they condition their own beak, the less work you have to do in the long run (beak trims etc)

As for stepping up, I agree with Terry. Especially on the beak-first climbing. Skittles is like this too. You may want to try coaxing him onto your finger with a treat or something. But don't ever try to force them onto your finger. Have patience and keep trying. Eventually, he'll step up. Just be consistent but not overly persistent.

For having him less than a week, that's quite a bit of progress.

Amen... just give him a lil time. Heck if he wants to climb on your finger beak first its no biggie. If he nips you (a protest bite) don't make a big deal of it and like u said.. suck it up. Once he figures he wont get his way it'll probably stop.
Important point here.. if you want him to step up and u get a protest bite, ignore it and insist. My reasoning is this. IF he can get you to stop with a lil nip he will continue to nip... essentially you are teaching him to bite... a big mistake methinks lots of people make.
And on whettin his beak on the perch.. agreed that's totally normal and no worries.. unless u have one of those "sand" perches. I have seen birds sand thru they hard outer part of their beak till it bleeds... not good.
Sounds like you have a sweet bird there. A lil patience and understanding you will have a great lil companion. Prepare to be amazed at how quick they can learn things and don't be surprised if he teaches you a few things too.
First bird?? Know its best to get them a good diet EARLY so its not like pulling teeth to get them to eat healthy stuff.

I agree with all of the above! My JoJo always beaks first, unless he wants to nip. Difference? Yes, one hurts more!

My macaw is a beak first climber. It took some getting used to at first to not be afraid of that giant beak.

I agree with the others on all counts. Patience, time, and don't be afraid.

My guess is you pull away every time he comes near you with his beak... he's not actually trying to nip you what he's doing is making sure it's safe to step on you. If you pull away then obviously it's not to him lol. What he's doing is testing the strength of the "branch" he's about to step on. They have nerves in their beak which allows them to feel it so they push a little to test the strength. As soon as he understands the words "step up" and knows it's a person saying it he won't bother anymore. With the cockatiel I got that was not already hand tame I started with a stick and worked my way up to my finger.

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Thank you, everyone! I'm so glad about the beak thing.

As far as beak climbing, thank you all again! I tried it today, twice. The first time he was really gentle and just licked me (but didn't climb up), the second time he bit like "Leave me alone already, lady!" We took a break. He launched himself off into mid-air once, though, and I held out my hand to catch him and he was okay just sitting on my arm, so there's that.

Notdumasilook (great username, by the way!), I noticed that about him - he was eating all the seeds and not the "healthy" stuff in his food. Now I only leave the healthy stuff in throughout the day so if he gets hungry, that's his only option. He's adjusting really well to that! (and not throwing it - YAY!)

MurkyWaters, you hit the nail on the head! As I said above - I'm working up the nerve to not jerk away. I'm getting better!

Thank you all!