I noticed the same problem with my cartridge razor I had been using prior to starting straight shaving. The only way it wouldn't irritate me is if I ONLY shaved with the grain. Any time I'd try against the grain (yes even after WTG) I would get some irritation. Having shaved with a straight for about 6 months my shaves have improved, and minimal irritation. I didn't switch because of the irritation, the sheer bad-ass-ness of straight razors is what attracted me. However, my shaves are better and I can go ATG with minimal irritation. Sometimes I'll think an edge is sharper than it actually is when I go ATG and that will cause irritation, but now I have a few razors that I trust ATG. My honing is slowly improving as well. I'll occasionally get a little redness immediately after shaving, but it will subside after a half hour to an hour.

Skin clarity has improved a little as well, I don't know if I would give the straight razor the credit for this. As I have always had troublesome skin (mild acne), but I think it does play a role in my skin clarity. I'm still working on improving my shaves but if your willing to learn, I almost promise that you will think of shaving not as a chore anymore, but a relaxing time for you. I look forward to shaving every time I get to do it, which for me, is every few days. My beard doesn't grow fast, thick, nor do I need to be clean shaven every day.

Safety razors aren't a bad stepping stone either. I got my friend hooked on them (he said he didn't want a straight). Now he loves his DE and I think in the future he might want to give shaving with a straight a chance. He had to shave daily for work and his beard also grows fast and thick, so he went through cartridges FAST, he got excited when I told him how much blades for my DE were. He can notice a better shave, and can wait longer before having to shave again because of a closer shave. He too, can't go ATG with cartridge razors, and was skeptical at first, but I think he really enjoys his DE. He mentioned that he wanted to get another one, a full size DE, since his is a travel size. But shaving daily or every other day for him adds up, and saving money was what attracted him and the shave quality has him hooked.

As for straights, I haven't HAD to buy anything for shaving since July 2012. I did choose to get some blades to restore and some new soaps to try. It is a somewhat addictive hobby if you ask me. I never dreamed that there could ever be so much to shaving to learn. I love it, I'm sure everyone on this forum can agree with that.

Good luck in your shaving ventures!