I've used blender for about 14 odd years. I stream it from time to time, if you're interested in seeing how it looks with that much casual time behind it or you want a lesson or two, send me a PM and I'll demo for you. :)
It actually was not. My first 3d software was milkshape 3d and quark for q2 models and map making, respectively.
For money burning reasons I had to use 3dsMax when I was making games for the army. It had been years since I touched it, but a few days and it was fine enough for my purposes. Still wish they'd have let me use blender though.
