I've very little to add, except to reiterate what bharner just said--a properly sharp razor should take off your beard with no more force than it takes for it to take off the lather. Take Zib up on his offer to check out your edge.

Also, try shaving with cold water--as cold as you can run it from the tap. Many folks get less irritation that way. Many (myself included) also believe it's a closer shave than with hot water.

I shave at bedtime in the summer, so my skin can get over the general insult before I take it out into the hot sweaty world for the day.