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I'm a 30-something from upstate New York. I have always have trouble with my skin after shaving, no matter what types of razors, electric or not, I have used. I often sported a beard so I wouldn't have to shave, but then got a job where I can't really have one. I was about to get a Merkur DE classic as I haven't tried that before when I thought, "hey, why not just go whole-hog and get a straight razor?"
I hope the straight razor works as well as the DE. It appeals to me more.
I suggest you get both. The DE is good for starting out.
You have the right idea. Get a vintage razor, an old barber hone or vintage natural hone, a good old strop and you are set! Zero negative impact (besides shipping), and you get a great hobby for life.
Even if you become stone-obsessed like many here, most good stones are already mined, so no harm there.
The first couple of shaves are much slower than normal, but they get quicker. I feel like I have gotten back to pretty much the speed I had with a mach 3. The lack of rinsing the blade makes up a lot of time in my mind.
Spend some time to get familiar with your beard and which way it grows. I struggled at first with a spot on my neck that I didn't realize grew in an odd direction. A couple of shaves were sore and tender for days. Once I figured it out, it was like a lightswitch being flipped and the shaves were immediately very comfortable.