Forgive me if this stuff has already been covered... I only read the OP before posting this.

First off, I gotta say, with all sincerity: If you are not getting as close and as comfortable of a shave with your straight as you are getting with your DE, you are either doing something wrong with your technique, or your straight isn't sharp enough. I can't stress this point enough. A proper straight shave, for me, at least, is capable of shaving me *closer* and *more comfortable* than a DE or a cartridge.

Keeping that point in mind, it's just a matter of trouble shooting what's wrong. IMO, most new guys have two problems in common most of the time; they use too high of an angle on the straight, and their blade simply isn't sharp enough.

My abbreviated list of noob problems that I had:

1. Pressure. Don't use any. If you are having to use pressure to shave, your blade isn't sharp enough.

2. Re-shaving. One pass through fresh cream. And only one pass. Don't go back over skin you just shaved without putting down a layer of fresh cream. You'll only end up with killer razor burn if you shave the same place without fresh lube.

3. Angle. You want the spine of the razor as close to your skin as you can. Really concentrate on this. It's the major contributor to razor burn.

4. Blade sharpness. I'd be willing to bet that 99% of new guy blades aren't sharp enough. Either get a blade professionally honed, or get a shavette. Both are good for comparing how sharp your razor is to how sharp it should really be.

5. Keep the pressure along the edge constant. Don't apply more pressure to the toe or heel than the rest of the blade. This is especially important if you're using a spike point.

6. Don't rush. If you don't have the time available to do a proper, unrushed straight shave, don't. Grab your DE and get to work.

Do what you can to eliminate variables. For example, you honestly have no point of reference as to how sharp your blade is unless you either have a professionally honed blade or a shavette. Using either one of these will eliminate blade sharpness as a possibly problem. Getting rid of that variable is most of the battle.