Another option, although maybe not as popular, would be to get a shavette or DE to start with and then after that has been mastered come back to straights. That way you eliminate stropping, honing, and many other variables and can focus on creating lather and techniques with guaranteed sharp blades. Then add some variables in later? This is how I started years ago and then a couple years back transitioned to a pro honed straight and then worked out the honing aspect. A lot of people have reported difficulties adjusting technique to a true straight but I didn't have any problems personally. There is a great shavette section on the forum here.

Just another option.