Hello salomob, as a new str8 razor shaver, I went through the same thing. I think I used a bit too much pressure in the first few shaves. I had to shave morning, then next day at night, to keep the razor burn down. The after balm helped a lot and later better technique. I just accepted the not bbs shave and finish with the DE.

Now I'm doing WTG, XTG and ATG (in some parts) and is given me a better shave. Not BBS but good to go to work with. If I want BBS, I still go for the DE, but I have to be carefull with razor burn. So in order to use the str8 every day, I don't try to go for a very close shave every day.

I say if you need to skip a day, do it, or alternate day and night, if you can. Use a good after shave balm. And keep hacking at it like I'm doing! From a newb to a newb sincerely, Double O