What's a good first safety razor for someone switching from cartridges?

Across the reviewers we read, the consistent recommendation for first-timers is a mild, closed-comb double-edge razor like the Merkur 34C, Merkur 23C or King C. Gillette. Specialist-community consensus on r/wicked_edge is that aggressive razors (slants, open combs, high-setting adjustables) are easier to learn on once you've already mastered angle and pressure with something mild.