the electric ones might be nicer on the skin once you get used to them, i'm ont sure...

but for manual (which is what I use).... what do you put on your legs before you shave?

Sometimes I just put on some soap that I lather up a lot, but it makes a HUGE difference putting on some shaving gel/cream beforehand. It lathers better and there's stuff like aloe vera/vitamins that help the skin in it.
Maybe that might help with the shaving?