Some quick tips for someone interested in using a safety razor (you should!): Get a stainless steel razor so it lasts, and buy a variety pack of blades to determine your preference. I personally find the Feathers to be too sharp, but I don't have tons of coarse facial hair.
Same here. About $30-35 for an Edwin Jagger razor and $8 for a 100-pack of Derby Extra blades; I've been using that same pack now for about 4 years! I still have 25 left.
However, be careful: if you're not used to using a double-edged safety razor, it has a high learning curve. You'll probably cut yourself when you're first learning. Read online tutorials about how to do it right, and very importantly, don't be in a hurry. Once you've gotten the hang of it (after a month or so), it's pretty easy, but it does take time to learn the proper technique.