US will be Norelco. The nomenclature may also change. You can see the multirow cutters immediately.
As for stories about beard getting messed up, they can be termed (not appropriately) old wives tales. I have been on electrics for almost 37 years, so if beard was to go knotty it would have one. I use electric every day (or even twice when I have to go out in the evening).
There was one occasion about 20 years ago when I left my Electric at home as the place I was going to had very frequent power cuts (my shaver was mains only) so thought I will use a blade for 10 days. After the first three days it was hell. The skin becomes softer when you are not scraping it every day.
For those contemplating a switch go 100%. The first 3 weeks will be hell, and then bliss. You and the beard take some time to get used to the new protocol. The biggest problem - learning to shave before washing your face!