Thanks for all the replies! How often do you change your equipment?

I change my blade once a week but it's always the same type. I rotate through 3 or 4 soaps/creams. That's all that I change.

And if I master everything in the end, will I get a closer shave with the DE razor, than I get with the cartridge (even if I get the perfect closest shave when shaving against the grain with a Gillette Fusion, which IMO can't be topped)?

In my opinion, yes.

Yep. Once you get it all figured out you'll have a better shave than any cartridge.

Oh yes, definitely. There is a reason that so many people are roaming sites like this

I've thought about this and need to reconsider my answer.
It really doesn't matter what we say because your mind is already made up that your way can't be topped.

There's a re-occurring theme here if you look at the thread. So let's take a few of them, no particular order and not exhaustive . Just look at what the guys are telling you, it's all good useful stuff.

1. Relax. Take your time, give yourself time.
2. Give your skin time to heal. Use disposables for a week.
3. Start with a good pre shave routine. Proraso pre/post shave. Take your time.
4. Change one thing at a time, keeping all the others constant.
5. Know your face, how does the hair grow. On the left, on the right, on your neck, jawline. Take your time.
6. Consentrate on technique totally, short strokes initially.
7. Don't put pressure on the blade. Let the weight of the shaver and the sharpness of the blade do the work.
8. Don't do to many passes initially, 2 passes may be comfortable, 3 passes may cause nicks and irritation. OK stay at two.
9. Post shave a good moisturiser/ balm will help the skin to heal
10. Take your time, relax, give yourself time. It shouldn't be a race or chore.

Best wishes Dude...

Closer? For me, no. But I don't want to replicate cartridge results. Carts are expensive and they cause skin issues for me- I think they get too close. The method I've developed works just right for me. Give it time and you'll decide on what's right for you.

How many times do you use a blade? DE is not like cartridge shaving. With the Mach 3 I could get a couple of weeks out of a blade head. With a DE, 3 or 4 days max. Three's better.

It sounds as if the Gillette Fusion is the way to go for you in order to get the untoppable shave!

Personally, multi blade carts and I don't get along despite nearly 20 years of trying. I grew weary of the skin rash, throat bumps, and tender spots each morning.
Switching back to wet-shaving was a revelation—but did require some relearning of technique that had been neglected for many years.
No one here can guarantee nor successfully convince you that you will get a closer shave than you do with the Fusion. You need to discover this for yourself. We all have different skin types, sensitivities and facial hair growth patterns. But for many of us here on this shaving forum, we've become enamored with not only the history and shaving ritual, but also the darn good results we get from using vintage SE razors, and both vintage & modern DE and straight razors.

I highly suggest you try other blades if you haven't before. In two weeks I tried 5 blades and 3 out of the 5 were simply terrible for me (even if they are highly regarded by many people). If you already tried a nice sampler, then is it possible you might react to your cream? Do you have another one you can try for a bit?

If you're 100% sure it's not your equipment then it could just be technique so the usual "no pressure, good angle, take your time"

Good luck

You are applying to much pressure and maybe moving to fast. I do 3 passes most of the time. WTG, XTG and ATG, with a little touch up. Another thing I do is I leave my razor in hot water along with my brush while I shower. Try slowing down, make shorter strokes and use all three directions.