I've found my rotary shaver gives me a sly look but not feel. If you want visible stubble but still basically no hair I would suggest a clipper with no guard (I have a wahl that works great, sorry to hear about your issues with yours) but try flipping it upside down and coming at your head at a 90degree angle, if you are careful you won't cut yourself. Or another option is what reddog said, the 'ol beard'n'ball trimmer (as I call it). It's easier to use in the head and usually takes you a touch closer then typical clippers.
If you decided to go rotary then get a cheap one to try first. Some people have terrible irritation from these and will drop $100+ to only throw it away a week later when their head looks like they stuck it in a beehive.