To be fair, many a newbie has taken this route and come out (more or less) unscathed . It's not the direction I went, but some guys have good luck with shavettes and others have cut themselves to pieces.

Normally I wouldn't recommend a shavette to start, but since you already have the Parker try shaving a couple more times to see if you like it. Keep in mind that a disposable straight does not equal the same experience as the real deal. If it's something you enjoy by all means go ahead and order a real straight and strop.