My beard is so thick and tough, that it kills to shave... Any one have any advice?

Buy a Remington electric shaver. The reason you are having so much of a problem with a razor is because a razor pulls at the hairs when it cuts them. An electric shaver simply chops off the hairs as the shaver moves over your skin. An electric shaver will work a lot better for you. The blades for an electric shaver will last longer than eight months. Remington has the new titanium-coated blades. They last a long time. You might also want to try using Edge shaving gel before you decide to buy an electric shaver. Edge shaving gel works so much better than shaving cream. It leaves your face very slick, and you get a lot less irritation from shaving.