I could not cancel the razor and now I own it. :(
Sorry to hear that, as was already suggested dull the blade by running it along a glass or cardboard to dull it and use it to practice stroping and shaving angels and grips.
I've decided to hold off on getting a straight razor. First I want to start using a safety razor then move to a straight. This way I can use both depending on my mood.
A DE has a much easier learning curve than a straight in part due to not having to strop your blade. Please do not assume though that learning how to shave with a DE will make it easier to learn a straight because that is untrue. It will however better prepare you to use a straight because you will have had experience with building lather and shaving in passes as well as mapping out which way your whiskers grow.
I ordered a safety razor from ebay exactly like this one for $10 shipped.
Vintage Gillette RED TIP SS TTO Safety Razor 1957 - eBay (item 260530652124 end time Jan-29-10 06:26:20 PST)
The red tip SS is known to be an aggressive DE so be prepared and go slow. Also be sure to buy a blade sampler pack because different blades suit different people.
It just arrived in the mail so tomorrow I will try it out. Could somebody recommend a "lathering solution" for a poor person like me?
Not sure where your located but if your in the USA Williams and VDH soap can be found at any wallgreens for a couple dollars and C.O. Bigelow cream can be found at Bath and Body (not to be confused with bed bath & beyond or the bod shop) for about $10 Once you get more into wetshaving please do invest the money in better products such as the suggested Tabac it really is worth it :)
BTW - If anybody wants to buy a zeepk straight razor just send me a PM. I hear they makes excellent letter openers. :D