I used the latest and greatest Gillette cartridges from the age of 16 to 37 as I did not know DE razors existed. I've been properly wet shaving since February of this year (or so) and took a business trip to Phoenix in April. I didn't want to bring my new Futur with me so I took a new Pro Fusion with me with new blades. I then understood what people meant when they said that shaving with multi-bladed cartridges felt like shaving with sandpaper. The experience (at least for me) between the two types of products is night and day. I now have a Merkur 34C and am even more pleased!