How long have you been a proper shaver?

9 months. 

I never had irritation with cartridges and I knew some online vendors where you could order many cartridges at a time for a considerable discount compared to retail places ($72 for 48 blades - not bad imo) but I really switched over to get that smooth, bbs shave you get from using a safety razor (or straight edge).

4 years this Sunday!

I used a Gillette Knack 20+ years ago in college with canned goo. I was tired of the prices of cartridge razors being a broke college student and the cheapness of DE shaving was the big draw for me back then. I also liked the quality of the shave vs. cartridge razors. Once graduated I purchased and have used electric razors until this past February when after having a beard for almost a year I decided to shave the old fashioned way again and sought out a DE razor. Since then I have purchased way to many razors, soaps, brushes, aftershaves, blades and all the other bibs and bobs but I now enjoy and look forward to a part of my day I used to absolutely loathe. I've also purchased several straights and am trying to learn to shave with them now too.

Since January 14 here.

I have suffered with razor burn on my neck since I started shaving as a teen, until I discovered wet shaving, thanks to Andrew and others. My face quickly healed and I haven't looked back. I used to dread shaving, but now I enjoy it everyday (while I'm working, I still don't shave when I'm off). It has become a pleasure to look forward to, instead of a dreaded chore.

Justin

Been Wet Shaving for 2 years. I also used to dread shaving. Never really used cartridges due to cost but used an electric razor that would tear up my neck like crazy. A buddy of mine at work introduced me to Wet Shaving and haven't looked back since. Was mostly a single tub guy until a few months ago when I started watching the Shave Greats of YouTube and discovered Artisans. Now this has turned into a bit of an Acquisition Disorder but that's okay! I only wish my beard would grow faster so I could shave every day instead of every other day!

Been Wet Shaving for 2 years. I also used to dread shaving. Never really used cartridges due to cost but used an electric razor that would tear up my neck like crazy. A buddy of mine at work introduced me to Wet Shaving and haven't looked back since. Was mostly a single tub guy until a few months ago when I started watching the Shave Greats of YouTube and discovered Artisans. Now this has turned into a bit of an Acquisition Disorder but that's okay! I only wish my beard would grow faster so I could shave every day instead of every other day!

I tried an electric razor once and it gave me bad razor burn. I never used one again after that.

Started wet shaving with an old Gem single edge in the mid 60's. Bought my first new modern Gillette DE razor in 66 or 67. Other than a few straight razors that's about it.
Oh, I did try a yellow and white(Bic I think) plastic razor, once and only once.

A year and a half after 10 years of using electric razors.  It was a difficult transition, but DEs have given me the best shaves of my life.

About 4 years

It will be two years in August. I love shaving now, and I even shave when I'm off work.
I briefly tried traditional DE shaving by using my Dad's aristocrat 30 years ago... I cut myself pretty good, then foolishly went to carts and electric.