Thread: Muscle memory?

Please please please tell me why my muscles have no memory!
I think they have amnesia!
I've probably had 6/8 shaves now, I started off with a SR out the box, had a few shaves with it, didn't get that much burn and I didn't dig in!
Now, I've played with it myself, I won't say it's a stunning edge but its a lot closer than before, I can't get to grips with it now and I've dug in about 6 times,, my face looks like someone's playing tic tax toe on it!!!
I'm trying to shave only with my right hand, I don't trust my left!
Am I being tooooo impatient???

In short, yes.
It takes time to build proper technique and muscle memory.
Give it another 50 shaves or so, then you'll know what it is all about!

With a properly honed, and stropped, razor that is

This sport takes time to master, be patient and the results will come.
Slowly, but steady!

It just seems to have got worse even in that short time!

You probably do have muscle memory from those shaves with your out of the box SR that may not have been shave ready to begin with as you say you have improved the edge. You may still be shaving like you have a slightly dull SR and are using more force/weight than the new edge needs to do the job. Just a half baked guess on my part. Maybe try a lighter touch and less of an angle on the blade.

Bob

Thanks to you both!

Cheers

Mart

Marth, first - bravo for choosing quality shaves. It gets *alot* better, and it doesn't take that long.

Whether its amnesia of muscle or brain, I seem to have my share. I'm reminded every time I see that familiar color of my namesake.

You're gonna love this. 'Only wish you were local. I'd say c'mon over & lets compare notes, swap tricks, techniques, try some of my gear. There's more than a few members in London. If I were in your shoes, I would make a trip to see Gary Haywood - a barber that loves his straights, loves his stones. 'Very experienced and a gentleman to speak with. He's a member here and elswhere. Perhaps PM him to see where he is & how you two might connect.

Best of luck Marth.

Originally Posted by Marth

Please please please tell me why my muscles have no memory!
I think they have amnesia!
I've probably had 6/8 shaves now, I started off with a SR out the box, had a few shaves with it, didn't get that much burn and I didn't dig in!
Now, I've played with it myself, I won't say it's a stunning edge but its a lot closer than before, I can't get to grips with it now and I've dug in about 6 times,, my face looks like someone's playing tic tax toe on it!!!
I'm trying to shave only with my right hand, I don't trust my left!
Am I being tooooo impatient???

Yes. It took me two years to master the straight, and now in my third year I'm light years ahead of my second. It doesn't take most people that long, but I had a real desire to do this and I did it!

I can identify with all of the emotions expressed. I used to joke that I could have made some extra money renting my face out to Halloween parties during my first six months of straight shaving.

It's a personal choice whether or not to try to shave with both hands. I was determined to do it, and honestly it didn't take me long to achieve a comfort level with it.

Don't give up! I'm living proof that even a slow learner can master it. And I really enjoy it. Shaving was a chore most of my life, and now it is a relaxing, enjoyable experience.

Originally Posted by CaliforniaCajun

Yes. It took me two years to master the straight, and now in my third year I'm light years ahead of my second. It doesn't take most people that long, but I had a real desire to do this and I did it!

I can identify with all of the emotions expressed. I used to joke that I could have made some extra money renting my face out to Halloween parties during my first six months of straight shaving.

It's a personal choice whether or not to try to shave with both hands. I was determined to do it, and honestly it didn't take me long to achieve a comfort level with it.

Don't give up! I'm living proof that even a slow learner can master it. And I really enjoy it. Shaving was a chore most of my life, and now it is a relaxing, enjoyable experience.

I'm glad someone else is acknowledging being a "slow learner". This month is my one year anniversary with straights and I still nick myself and still have trouble now and then with the chin area.

Angle and touch sound like a good place to concentrate on. You learn to pay attention to hand eye coordination and feel. I usually cut myself when I am thinking of something other than the task at hand or just not thinking at all.

I got worse for a bit between my 5-20 shaves, I think the blind terror of SR shaving wore off and I got over confident. Somewhere around thirty I was doing pretty well.