Being skilled in the manly arts, I sigh reading this thread.
Achronos, at least you didn't buy into multi-blade disposables.
You know where I work, I think. We make most of the crap like that you are going to buy. Adding blades is just BS.
For a proper shave the best compromise regarding time, money, ease of use, comfort, etc.:
Safety razor, badger brush, proper shaving cream.
My beard hair in parts is as thick and of similar texture to those of recent African descent, which is to say the worst kinda hair to shave.
Until I discovered the above combo, shaving was a PITA. Always irritated skin, inflamed hair follicles, etc.
So I just kept it as short as possible with an electric beard trimmer, which I killed every so many months.
But I do have to shave on occasion. And with the proper technique, the above combo can shave my face cleanly, quickly, and without even a touch of irritation.
I use a respirator from time to time at work. I am glad I know how to properly shave.
From time to time at work, I am in temp control rooms from anywhere from 120F to -20F.
When we do longer term work in the colder rooms, I grow out my insane beard.
Scissors and a comb with practice is by far quicker and easier than using a store model beard trimmer, especially if you have the density and thickness of hair that I have.
I will quickly burn out a commercial beard trimmer and they take a long time to use cause they often just push the hair out of the way rather than cutting it.
So, opt for a professional model with a wide arrangement of lengths of attachments.
But really, if you are going to grow a beard, do the following:
Do not trim it along the way while you are growing it out, until you get to a "full beard". Just cut the hair along your lip line.
And if you must "shape it" and you just must. Then just the stray hair above bulk of the hair on your cheeks and the hairs around your neck lower than your adam's apple.
Let the beard grow in to a full beard without playing with it. It takes me less than two weeks, some it takes a month or a little more.
If you are going to have a real beard. Do not shave or substantially trim shorter the hair from your adam's apple to your jaw.
It looks ridiculous. God save me from the chin straps as of late.
You can play with how low you would like to go parallel to the jaw line. But I would opt for as little trimming as possible.
You are thin and have bone structure, thus you don't need to cultivate facial lines via trimming.
Anyway this is getting way longer than I thought it would. Question as you wish.
Electric shavers, and disposables are junk. Commercial beard trimmers are OK if you don't have beard worthy of a Greek God.
Safety razors and scissors for the win. Professional beard trimmer if you are lazier.