Thanks for the responses, gave it another go, get more comfortable handling the blade around the face and more ambidextrous use. Still haven't got the shaving part down yet though. At least I took everyones' advice and am using the hand-me down strop, I thought I was being super careful and I nicked it twice, pretty seriously, now I gotta go read the strop forum. At least I know a Christmas present to ask for!
Thanks,
Zac