If it makes you feel any better, I've been using straights for a couple years now, and even though I used to always go clean shaven in the summer, I haven't tried shaving my upper lip since I switched to straights.
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Thanks Steve, yes it does make me feel a little better :)
Well, I see you're learning fast. My advice would be, start out with the spine almost flat to your face, and slowly increase the angle, as long as it's comfortable, until the shave get's close enough.
And then, wait going ATG with the straight until your face is already quite smooth after the WTG and an eventual XTG pass...
Hang in there! At a given moment, the lathering, the angle, the motions are all going to come together, and give you a wonderful shave, no cartridge will ever can!