Hi,
Welcome to the site. Maybe you should try whipping up the lather in a bowl first. It should be nice & thick & cling to the sides before you shave with it, so much so that you can't get the bowl clean with the brush. Then carry on on your face for a couple of minutes to prep the stubble.

As for the razor, it could be several things. Did you shave with it straight away, or strop it first? It could be that it was perfectly shave ready, then you stropped it & it wasn't any more! It could also be that it was never shave ready. Try to watch some stropping videos. That will help you as it can be really hard with no one to copy.