Around 1982, age 15. First shave was with an old Gillette Trac II and a can of Gillette Foamy. I learned on my own. I learned that if I shave up, (ATG) the skin was smooth. But I didn't start shaving everyday until I joined the military at age 17. Then I had to shave daily. I used cartridge razors for 34 years. From when I was age 15-22, I used the Trac II and Atra. Age 23-32, Gillette Sensor. Age 33-49, Gillette Mach 3 and for a short time, the Gillette Fusion until I got tired of paying $18.00 for a pack of 4 multiblade cartridges. Temporary subscription to the Dollar Shave Club, then I started shaving with a DE razor in the summer of 2016, at age 49. First razor was a Merkur 34C, which I still have. First blades were Personna Blues. First brush and soap were Van Der Hagen. Did a lot of bloodletting in the beginning. Lots of irritation, nicks and cuts. There's a bit of a learning curve with traditional shaving tools. Now 3.5 years, nine DE razors, three SE razors, 600 DE blades, 30 SE blades, five brushes, 7 aftershaves, 3 balms, and at least 30 soaps and creams later, I'm still doing traditional safety razor shaving, and enjoying the heck out of it. I use Feather Hi-Stainless blades in my Gillette Slim Adjustable set on 9, or my Rockwell 6C om plate #6, and i dont cut myself anywhere near where I did in the beginning with my very mild Merkur 34C. You get practiced, get the right angle, and get over old cartridge razor habits, the old razors shave awesome! I can use a mild or aggressive razor, whatever I'm in the mood for. I can use a DE, an injector, or a GEM Micromatic or 1924 EverReady. Just get the angle right and be patient.