Thread: Muscle memory?

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.

It really takes determination and patience. I am now with about 180 shaves under my belt and happy to inform I am finally able to achieve a BBS result, ATG and all. If I may add to the suggestions from other members: focus on a properly honed blade, proper angle, avoid pressure and master your stropping technique. Study your facial hair anatomy, I am still doing that. Above all, don't give up. It truly gets better with time. The so-called muscle memory starts kicking in at around the 100th shave mark. There is really a fine line between a smooth shaving stroke and slicing off pieces of your face.

Give your face a rest, I was really overzealous and forced myself to shave my already sore skin everyday. now i am trying every second day until I get better.

Using both hands definitely takes a while to get used to, but worth it, i couldn't imagine using one hand now although i have seen the odd video of just that. Give it time, and results will come. I still have difficulty ATG with my right hand in some spots because i am left handed, but getting there.

Originally Posted by lindyhop66

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.

That all sounds familiar to me too. Another slow learner checking in.

Bob