extraction

for anybody with previous growing history what do you suggest as the best method for extraction for a beginner with no specific tools for doing so?

Use a very sharp blade i.e. a stanley knife. I dont know if thats what you'd call them in the US, maybe a carpet knife. Use a blunt knife to collect the latex, i personally find a butter knife works perfectly. Then just scrape it into a small container. Make sure that when you cut the pod, to only go in say half a millimetre, otherwise you'll be losing some latex to the inside of the pod.