It is Calico's thread, TheBadger
Don't know the feelings others here, but Lightwave is the 3D software i know and use since the early 90's.
So even the free Blender couldn't hold me from buying Lightwave .
For some the interface , work flow is too much different.
Using 2 main application ones for animating texturing etc. and the other for modeling is a little different too.
I like the GUI with everything labeled in text more in Ligthwave . You see instantly what the button is supposed to do.
But users who like interfaces like in Max etc. struggle sometimes.
The best way is if you ask me, to use every software (trials etc.) for a while and then go with one.
But sometimes you have to use more then one (one for rendering, one for character animation etc.) .
So knowing more then one isn't bad either.
It depend what you want in the future too of course.
So it is not an easy question and you may get many answers who you ask