Piper,

Congrats on the first shave going well. It just takes practice. After several weeks, you'll get the feel of the razor and the shaves will get better and better. What kind of prep do you do? I usually do more prep for a straight than for a DE. I do 3 hot towel wraps, then lather for 30 seconds and a hot towel over the lather, then repeat, then I lather again and shave. When I shave with a DE, I only use one hot towel wrap and one lather with hot towel wrap after and then start my shave. That's about all I need for a DE but it's not enough for a straight. It really depends on your beard though. Keep working at it and it will only get better.

Ed