I've been using cartridge razors since I started shaving, and I'm looking to get a better shave. I've always wanted a straight edge.

I've been looking around for a starter kit, and prices keep adding up faster than I would like. My concern is that I will spend a bunch of money and mess up my blade (and then my face ) while I learn to maintain it.

I thought I'd start this thread to see what people think a good first razor would be. I hear some people recommend starting with a DE; while another route would be to buy something like a Feather AC so that I don't have to worry about learning maintenance technique at the same time that I'm learning my shaving technique, and then there's the obvious option of getting a straight and getting straight into it.

Thoughts?