+1. A straight will most definitely be better at cutting off a beard. I just recently used my straight to completely remove my 4 month beard. Easy as pie.

I'm about 50 shaves into using a straight and over the past week I feel like I have moved from beginner to intermediate. I'm faster and the shaves are smoother and closer. I also used a DE for about 3 years before trying straights.

I gave up on the straight about a year go and have just come back to it. I'm glad I did. I have a beautiful NOS Gotta 120 that shaves superbly.

My advice is keep the straight gear but try out a DE (which will also have a learning curve if you've never used one before).

Then decide what you like better.

Good luck