First of all, let me welcome you to this place.

My 2 ct: learn to shave with a real straight. You can buy a shaveready razor in the buy sell trade section for 25$, and a starter strop does not ave to be expensive either.

Real straights are very forgiving despite the fact that they are sharp. You will not cut yourself badly as long as you are careful.

Shavette and feather razors are much harder to learn to use. They are much sharper and very unforgiving. Learning to straight shave with a feather will leave you bloody.
I learned it like that without anyone to teach me. Trust me when I say I paid my dues in blood.

A real blade also feels smoother on your face, and feels 'better' in a way that I cannot accurately describe. It is just more fun/