You brought it to a local shop... of what? Is it a place that deals in straight razors? Because if you brought it to a place that deals in knives, chances are pretty good that they did not sharpen that razor correctly. It's not that razors are harder to hone. It's just the fact of how much more sharp a razor needs to be as compared to a knife. Razor honing begins where knife honing ends.

I strongly suggest you send your razor to one of the honemiesters here. You will not believe the difference it makes.

Another, and probably more important, thing to consider is that you simply haven't figured out what to do with that thing yet. It's common knowledge on this forum that it takes a newbie about a month just to get their first decent shave. It's a skill that needs to be learned and practiced. Don't feel bad. I'm right there with you.

Don't give up. Don't get discouraged. Once you get it you will never go back. It truly is the best shave you can get.

Good luck,
Ed M.