I suppose if all you shaved with from the start were multi blade cart razors and crap in a can a DE would be a good way into traditional wet shaving at low cost. It will tech you about pressure and getting a good angle on the blade as well as allow you learn to make a good lather from a brush and soap. Fortunately I started shaving before cart razors were readily available.

If you go with a new straight razor or a used one the key thing is to get one that is truly shave ready. A used vintage razor does have the advantage of being less costly though. I started with vintage blades and had them pro honed. No regrets there.

Attending meets or having a local mentor could help immensely and greatly shorten your learning curve. Wish I would have been able to have those benefits.

Quickly came to the conclusion I'd have to learn how to hone my own at the rate I was dulling blades as a beginner. Just too expensive to keep sending the blades out especially when accumulating more vintage blades all the time. That was a long hard road without the benefits of going to meets or a local mentor. You do what you gotta do, so no regrets in the end.

Bob