How long have you been a proper shaver?

I did it in the mid 80's for a short time. Been back at it now for a few weeks.

I bought my first brush and shaving cream in 2011!

Since november 2011. My life changed completely

Three years ago this month I took a hissy fit in the middle of Costco vowing to never pay $50 for 10 bladed refills.  Furthermore, I was going to do it on the cheap!

I am now broke, but well shaved!

Three years ago this month I took a hissy fit in the middle of Costco vowing to never pay $50 for 10 bladed refills.  Furthermore, I was going to do it on the cheap!

I am now broke, but well shaved!

we all say you can save money by using safety razors until you actually start using them.

I'm approaching my 1 year anniversary, which I plan to celebrate with a little PIF.

There was a lot of information that converted me over, but the 2 key elements were:
1) the infamous Art of Manliness article "How to shave like your grandpa", which I stumbled upon while researching subscription shave services like Harry's and Dollar Shave Club.
2) Nick Shaves' beginners series on YouTube, which has since helped me to convert 5 of my closest friends. That dude has a very effective and inviting way of conveying information.

After that I went to Amazon and got set up with an Edwin Jagger and the Van Der Hagen deluxe starter kit, all the while thinking "I'll never buy another razor again."

little less than a year.

I started a little over two years ago and enjoying every minute of it!

On and off since 1968 when I was in boot camp in San Diego.  We were issued health and comfort bags from the red cross and USO back then.  They don't do that anymore.  Everyone who brought a razor and blades had to send them home with your clothes, etc.  After being fitted and issued all of our uniforms and gear we needed for the first six weeks, we were issued our H&C bags.  In them was a Gillette L model and an injector with 10 blades.  When we got back to the barracks and had "junk on the bunk" inspection to made sure we got everything issued, Mr. Pearson, our CC (like a DI) started instructions on the razor.  I raised my hand, pissing him off, and he came running over to my and asked what was my problem.  I informed Mr. Pearson I didn't shave as all I had was a little peach fuzz.  He replied, "Is that right?"  He leaned over grabbed a few on my chin, and yanked them out.  He put it up to my eyes and said, "What's that?"  I replied, "hair."  Hurt like hell.  He then informed me that I would be shaving by stating, "You will start shaving now, whaleshit."  Thus, began my wet shaving.  They also included a can of Barbisol.  Started seriously wet shaving in the 80's when my Dad passed away and he left me three Gillettes.  A Fatboy, Slim and the ugliest 3 piece from the late 30's he used in WWII and Korea.  He was retired career Army.  Man, if that beat up old razor could talk, the stories it could tell.  I use it occasionally.  I found out it was called the 102, brass, old tooth and still shaves quite well.

On and off since 1968 when I was in boot camp in San Diego.  We were issued health and comfort bags from the red cross and USO back then.  They don't do that anymore.  Everyone who brought a razor and blades had to send them home with your clothes, etc.  After being fitted and issued all of our uniforms and gear we needed for the first six weeks, we were issued our H&C bags.  In them was a Gillette L model and an injector with 10 blades.  When we got back to the barracks and had "junk on the bunk" inspection to made sure we got everything issued, Mr. Pearson, our CC (like a DI) started instructions on the razor.  I raised my hand, pissing him off, and he came running over to my and asked what was my problem.  I informed Mr. Pearson I didn't shave as all I had was a little peach fuzz.  He replied, "Is that right?"  He leaned over grabbed a few on my chin, and yanked them out.  He put it up to my eyes and said, "What's that?"  I replied, "hair."  Hurt like hell.  He then informed me that I would be shaving by stating, "You will start shaving now, whaleshit."  Thus, began my wet shaving.  They also included a can of Barbisol.  Started seriously wet shaving in the 80's when my Dad passed away and he left me three Gillettes.  A Fatboy, Slim and the ugliest 3 piece from the late 30's he used in WWII and Korea.  He was retired career Army.  Man, if that beat up old razor could talk, the stories it could tell.  I use it occasionally.  I found out it was called the 102, brass, old tooth and still shaves quite well.

That's a great story (except for the chin hair removal; OUCH!).