I've been DE shaving for 2-3 months now. IMO it is very difficult to beat a fusion for closeness. AFAIK The way the fusion works is to stretch the hair and cut, effectively cutting BELOW the hair line, which results in all kinds of skin problems. The DE cuts at the hair line which is more suitable for most people. Shaving foam from a can has all sorts of harsh chemicals.

What I recommend is, always remind yourself to use a light touch. Rinse with lots of water and reapply the lather between each pass. If you miss a patch, don't go over it with no lather, get it on the next pass until you get more experience. Use an alum block. Don't chase the bbs, it find you when you're ready.
Shaving 2 or 3 times a week I would do 3 passes and a touch up pass. WTG XTG and ATG, during each pass you are cutting the hair shorter each time but not removing it completly, save the whiskers for the next pass. It is your final touch up pass that you remove anything that's left.