I have a few and like an old Gillette Tech best. Mine belonged to an old relative but they can be purchased quite cheaply. Take a look on
Ebay. They are an excellent razor imo. If you want new, the Edwin Jagger range is well liked but I don't really like the EJ87 which I have. I also have a Lord 3 piece razor which is very similar to the Gillette Tech and I like it as well. They can be bought brand new for a few pounds. Boots sell their own brand DE which comes with 5 blades for about £3.99. It seems cheap and tacky but actually gives a good shave. It was the first DE I used and I tend to take it on holidays as I don't care if I leave it behind somewhere. Despite the price and appearance, there is nothing wrong with the Boots DE. If you want to try out a safety razor without spending a lot of money, this is a good place to start. Merkur are also highly regarded but I have never used one. I think you'll find razors are a bit like bikes, you will always want another one.
With regards to blades, I have tried, three different types of Wilkinson Swords, Derby, Bic Platinum, Lord and the Tesco/Boots own brand (the very same imo but Tescos are cheaper) and I actually prefer the Tesco blade.
Beginners need to remember that these are different from the likes of the Fusion in that it requires a technique to use one without causing damage. Don't apply pressure, just hold the razor lightly and try and maintain ~30 degree angle between the blade and your face. Take your time to begine with and you will quickly get the hang of it. I repeat, do not press the razor into your face.