I shaved with a Shick injector back in the 70s after learning to shave with a hand me down DE. I don't remember there being a lot of difference in the way it shaved, but it has been over 40 years. Good luck on your journey Josh, and you have tried a lot of new things that are all superior to the cartridge shave. You have done so using an open mind, and giving new ideas, tools and techniques an honest attempt at being successful. Congratulations, and see you around.