Despite it all, regular razor burn issues--desperate for help

I'm going to say that all of us have struggled with this very issue in the beginning.  I can only echo the advice you have been given about using fewer products and less pressure Brian's post is probably the key to solving your issue.  Early on I also adopted rubbing my face with an ice cube post shave instead of using a cold water rinse.  This will ensure that your pores will close so nothing can get in post shave and irritate them.  I would also pat my face dry with a clean towel, a towel that has been used on your body or your hands can house bacteria that can irritate your pores.  This could eliminate two more causes of irritation.  One or two pass shaves are another key for right now and drop any thoughts of against the grain passes.  For a slight variation on a second WTG pass on your neck you can use a slightly diagonal stroke that will get you a  little closer, but with less chance of irritation.  Only when your irritation on your neck is under control should your experiment and find out which areas of your face can tolerate ATG passes.  To this day if I go ATG on either side of my throat I will pay for it.

I wouldn't rule out brush burn either, especially if you face lather with a boar brush. I love to head lather, but I learned that my head doesn't tolerate it very well with my boars.

Wow. Thanks for all the advice. I really, really appreciate it. Going to try out some of the techniques mentioned. I have a bit of newfound hope.  Awesome stuff!!

Please keep us updated on how it goes The Great Davenport.

I suffer from the same issue. I'm new, about 2 months of wet shaving. I use a EJDE89 and Personna Blue Blades. My lather is Taylor of Old Bond St. Herbal Sandalwood and Omega Pro Boar brush.
My shaves have improved dramatically since the beginning since my skin is so sensitive. But the only place I still get some ingrowns and irritation is my neck. But recently the irritation is reducing to just around my adam's apple area.
I do use some tend skin samples that I got and that helps. Also mixing your own aspirin, witch-hazel and alcohol work really well also.
Technique is certainly key, from what I have see personally. Also I'm going to try feather blades and see if my blade choice could factor in.

I know it is not a fix-it-all razor, but I am just tempted to recommend you either baby smooth or razorock stealth slant..
They are just phenomenally smooth that even my sensitive neck area doesn't get irritated often.

In fact, with many other razors, DFS was the best shaves I got, but with stealth slants, I get BBS very often and without irritation.

I totally agree with trolleytrolley, the Razorock Baby Smooth helped me with my ingrown and irritation problems. It will also help with you confidence. I also tweaked my skill set with countless Youtube videos. Don't give up it will all fall into place.

From Brian (not Shannon): Lots of good advice above.  I would add that you may need to watch your angle a bit more closely.  Getting the right angle is especially difficult on the neck.  I remember reading somewhere (Leisureguy's book, maybe?), that the safety bar or comb is there more or less to make sure you don't cut yourself.  If you rely on it to set your angle, your angle may be too aggressive, and you will get razor burn.  You want the edge of the cap touching your skin - not the guard.  I find (and I think this is in the book too), that it's easier to keep the angle correct with shorter strokes, especially on the neck.

With an SE, setting the angle is even easier (I've heard - haven't used one yet), as the razor head is supposed to be flat against the skin.