I empathize with you. I started shaving with a straight about 7 months ago and was loving the shaves - but those were all honed by others. Back in December I bought a hone and it has given me so many headaches! (Many thanks to tylerbrycen for helping me get the hang of it...or doing his best to instruct me) After my razors began dulling I reached for a DE, but didn't like them...until I found feathers. Having taken a 3rd job, I was swamped and resorted to a DE for most of my daily shaves.

The point being, I believe all types of razors have a specific place and time but you should use what you enjoy. It's not always best to "give up" on something new before you've adequately honed your skills (no pun intended) so it may be worth it to keep trying your luck at honing. My skills still suck but I force myself to keep at it because I enjoy it. I'm confident that all of my fumbling sound with the stone I picked up will be worth it in the end - after all, all that fumbling with a straight paid off.... I'm no master but I've sure gotten better at shaving.