Hi, I hope you don't mind me dropping my humble opinion in here. The reason I wanted to add to the thread is that I am also one of those guys that has thick and heavy stubble and have suffered the side effects that you spoke of earlier (chaffing of shirt collars, blunting safety razors quickly, four o'clock shadow before 10AM etc.)

The one thing that I've found has helped my shaving - apart from some of the obvious things (i.e. good technique) - is really good preparation. I almost always shave only after a hot shower. If that's not possible, then I use very hot water with a thick flannel (or face washer - as it's known here in Australia) and then wring it out lightly and then leave it on my face to 30-40 seconds and repeat this three or four times. This really helps to soften the beard. If I don't do the prep then I can feel it in the shave and it shows in the results - some small nicks and razor burn with stubble patches.

I'm really glad that you've had a great result based on your last post.