Thread: Don;t try. Do

Today after a particularly nice shave I realized that most if not all of my best shaves have come when I stopped thinking about what I am doing but just let my hands do what they have now been properly trained to do. In other words I let my brain get out of the way.

So I was wondering how many others have felt this way about their shaves?

Muscle memory trumps critical thought, besides, it gives me a headache!

I agree. During straight razor basic training (with various shavettes) my initial shaves were not so good and seldom without an errant gash or two. I then convinced myself to stop obsessing about whether I was holding the darned thing right and focus on technique. When I consciously did that, my bloody shaves were dramatically reduced to near zero. These days (a year and change later) I seem to have established great muscle memory and like the OP, my best shaves come when I just let muscle memory run the show and just relax and enjoy my shave. Once in a blue moon, I still get the occassional nick but they are few and far between. Besides, everyone gets the occassional nick from shaving regardless of what kind of razor you're using.

Originally Posted by Castel33

I stopped thinking about what I am doing but just let my hands do what they have now been properly trained to do. In other words I let my brain get out of the way.

Sorry to disagree gentlemen, but I do believe this is slightly wrong. Yes, there is such a thing as OVER-THINKING; this can psyche you out and you end up with a shoddy shave, not to mention a less enjoyable shave. But the minute you stop thinking you will also stop paying attention, this is a major cause of bloodshed. Muscle memory is no match for a scary sharp blade.

Ryan is correct.

It's true, after a while your hands seem to know what to do but relying on that results in complacency and mind wandering and with a straight that results in mishaps. You must be able to focus and concentrate on what you are doing. I've been doing this almost ten years now and the only times I've nicked myself is when I was either in a hurry or not paying full attention to what I was doing.

Hi! I almost dont have any blood shaves. Yet, I take too long shaving properly (15 min.), and sometimes, I not always get the result I want (a close shave). I get the feeling that my hair is very strong and the skin too much sensitive. Dose anyone hava advice?
Regards
Joao

I'm with Ryan!! Don't stop thinking. You're holding a very sharp and if used incorrectly, very dangerous tool. Straights are to be respected. Take your time, concentrate on what your doing and enjoy yourself.

Hey guys I think while I don't disagree with what ryan said in principle there is difference between thinking and focusing on something.

The most common example of this is driving a car. When you are first starting out driving you are both thinking and focusing on driving the car and thinking about it. Meaning that you are thinking and focusing about which way you need to turn the steering wheel, which pedal is the gas and how hard do you have to press to go 20,30,40,50 mph and so on and which is the brake how to come to a nice easy stop vs a fast jerky stop. Soon you develop those skills and you stop thinking about that stuff and start thinking about (if your smart) what the other cars around you are doing, for escape routes if you need to suddenly change lanes or come to a quick stop, how and when you are going to pass the car in front of you, the route you are going to take to get where you are going. But while you are thinking about all of that your body is still focusing on how you actually drive a car.

I just find with shaving if i just let my focus/MM do the job I get a better shave then when I try to think about the next move. I kinda equate it to a nice lazy Sunday drive.

Hi Joao
It sounds like you are on the right track. 15 minutes for a new shaver is really good. I remember when I first start I was taking 30-45 minutes to shave. Since you are getting good shaves with a few bad ones mixed in I would say you just need to keep at it and eventually the shaves will get more consistent and faster. Also the sensitivity should go away over time as your skin gets adjusted to using a straight.

Originally Posted by Castel33

Hey guys I think while I don't disagree with what ryan said in principle there is difference between thinking and focusing on something.

The most common example of this is driving a car. When you are first starting out driving you are both thinking and focusing on driving the car and thinking about it. Meaning that you are thinking and focusing about which way you need to turn the steering wheel, which pedal is the gas and how hard do you have to press to go 20,30,40,50 mph and so on and which is the brake how to come to a nice easy stop vs a fast jerky stop. Soon you develop those skills and you stop thinking about that stuff and start thinking about (if your smart) what the other cars around you are doing, for escape routes if you need to suddenly change lanes or come to a quick stop, how and when you are going to pass the car in front of you, the route you are going to take to get where you are going. But while you are thinking about all of that your body is still focusing on how you actually drive a car.

I just find with shaving if i just let my focus/MM do the job I get a better shave then when I try to think about the next move. I kinda equate it to a nice lazy Sunday drive.

Nice analogy there. Good example of thinking without thinking.
This thread could go off on a zen tangent