A bit belated welcome.

You did very well for a first shave. They only get better afterwards. Don't try to get close one pass shave. It's beard reduction, not elimination. You probably want to stick with one pass for few more shaves, then do across the grain. Again closeness will come as your technique improves. No point of getting close shave if half of your skin is missing too

As far as the chip on the blade, yes it's got to be honed out and I'd be surprised if it's too big to not be necessary. You may want to post a picture. It happens to almost everyone sooner or later. I do rinse my razors as I shave but I can also just wipe them if I want to.