Absolutely! Yes, the Merkur 34 is more expensive than a razor whacked out in a totalitarian country by convict labour. On the other hand, as you accurately point out, there's no need to pay shipping from another continent when you have so much good stuff in Europe. Plus, on the example of others here who are still shaving with a 34 after a couple of decades, it may be the only razor he ever needs until he discovers slants.
At 16 I was more interested in the "3Bs" instead of the "3Rs" in school. That'd be "beer, bikes and babes" instead of "reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic." Besides, I was convinced that the thin mossy growth infesting my upper lip was a Real Man's Moustache(tm).
If you balk at the price, remember that you can easily get half of it back by reselling it on the BST. Plus, speaking as someone who teaches people, it's easier to learn new skills when you're learning on decent equipment. It's a separate skill to learn how to adjust and accommodate to different razors or for quirks in design. It's a good skill, but it comes later after the basics. Get him a crappy razor and he'll only learn what a pain it is to attempt shaving with a crappy razor.
34C, a selection of mild-to-medium blades (and some discussion about them so he understands the idea), I'd say a synthetic brush of decent quality, some cream like Proraso, and a "relatively non-confrontational" aftershave for sensitive skin, like Nivea. Find him a nice copper bowl in a kitchen shop.
Equipment and skills need to balance. When there are few to no skills, the equipment needs to be sturdy, foolproof and of good quality.
O.H.
