IMHO,

. . . if you have good lather -- thick and slippery,

. . . . and a sharp blade (straight or DE),

. . . . . and you're not pressing on the blade,

the blade shouldn't actually touch your skin during the shave.

It should _glide_ on top of the lather's lubricating film, and chop hairs as it goes. You should get _no_ razor burn (if your skin is smooth).

So I'd bet on a technique problem:

. . . inadequate lather, or

. . . too much pressure on the blade.

Switching to a straight razor won't solve either problem.

Charles

PS -- Now, if your skin is _bumpy_, that's a different issue.

PPS -- I should test this theory by seeing how many times I can lather and shave in succession, without razor burn. It'll be an interesting experiment.

PPPS -- "Face mapping" -- knowing which direction your hair grows in, on different parts of your face -- is important. If you haven't done it, you may be shaving "against the grain". Shaving ATG, with too much pressure on the blade, is going to give you nasty razor burn.