Use blades to learn how to play!

[DrvFrShow]

You can still buy a brand new set of 2014 Cobra Amp Cell Pro blades for $650 direct from Cobra, and they're very nice - designed with Ricky Fowler. 2015 Fly-Z Pros are $899, but there's not much difference between these and the Amp Cell Pros. And the new King Pros are $1099.

[RayG]

Almost certainly if you are of a 'certain' age, you learned to play with blades. Stingers were a right of passage and getting that groove wear pattern to about the size of a nickel was your goal. I had my Northwestern 'Chi-Chi Rodriguez' starter set and learned to play all kinds of shots. I had them for a long time until I felt my game was up to it. Pings were out of the cost question and I went with a lesser set of Dunlop GI cast set or something. Even at the start of the technology of forgiveness there was a marked difference in feel and distance. While I liked the distance part, I wasn't so thrilled with the lack of feel.

Not until I got my first year set of Hogan "Edge" clubs did I get some feel back. Not as distinct as full blades, but at least there was something that I could manipulate to create the shots I wanted.

[k-troop]

All but the most SGI clubs are going to provide feedback.  I agree with many here that you don't need "true blades" to get the feedback you need, and going with a traditional blade (particularly an older one) might put you at a disadvantage.  Launch angle (particularly from the lower irons) and sole camber/turf interaction are two of the biggest differences (IMO) between blades and GI.  Thinner, sharper soles don't elevate the ball as well.  Additionally, if you come in a little shallow (say with a long iron or on a slightly downhill lie) and brush the grass a little soon, a blade might dig in (resulting in a fat shot) where a more cambered sole will glide over the top and still produce a decent strike.

There are plenty of models out there that will provide you all of the feedback you need while still giving you most of the benefits of forgiveness.