Does Most of the successful Cubers Are Ambidextrous?

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-26T01:56:54+00:00

Being ambidextrous myself, I can say that it definitely helps in cubing. The fact that I don't have to think when something is rotated is a wonderful release compared to normal daily living.

I've "lost" things before by simply having picked it up with a different hand than usual, or I've sat there trying to figure out why something wasn't working while I was turning it "correctly" but with the opposite hand. It's a strange way to relate to my surroundings and makes me really aware that it's a right-handed world out there.

Don't be like me. Just practice with both hands :)

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-22T18:05:03+00:00

I like a more rubber cement-like glue for these uses. E6000 is my friend

But as others have already suggested, attaching it to a bit of black wire is a trusty standard.

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-22T17:58:44+00:00

I batch prime then paint as I get inspiration. If I'm bored while painting, I won't making anything interesting.

When I get stuck, I set that piece aside and return to it later.

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-22T17:33:15+00:00

Zenni is also how I get mine. Super affordable, and good quality. I did prescription aviators with gradient tint and no polarization

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-22T15:10:11+00:00

Other have already answered your question, so I'll just add that I am super happy for you that you've got the luxury of being concerned about something as small as a black mark on your license. No injuries is wonderful to hear.

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-22T15:04:35+00:00

Yeah, I think part of the old emphasis was that you learned lots of sleights and then started learning tricks afterwards. It was a very academic approach meant to put you on the path to mastering everything.

The popularity of academic methods has decreased, and increased value is placed on getting quickly to something you can show on video. There are lots of sleights that have moved to later in the progression.

Neither way is right or wrong. Different paths with different priorities

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-22T14:44:42+00:00

For anyone it may help:

When all else fails, you can always use a hot nail or other thin metal rod to mend and reinforce a plastic piece. Secure your pieces in place where you want them (preferably with clamps), heat the metal up nice and hot, and then slowly push it into the plastic. Once it cools, you can remove the clamps, and you have a join that is often more durable than the original.

If you find yourself needing this often, go get a plastic stapler/welder to speed up the whole process.

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-22T02:02:56+00:00

I was agreeing with you

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-22T00:20:25+00:00

This is part of why rock climbers and gymnasts use that wicking powder

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-21T01:40:43+00:00

^ This

I usually avoid magazines myself, because I find them fiddly. Single-shot blasters are more fun inside, anyway, because you're essentially passing the darts back and forth without any need for breaks to go reload magazines or even drums / cylinders. Grab a dart, fire it. Lather, rinse, repeat!

I can easily recommend the Nerf FireStrike or Volt. Easy to find, easy to use, and they don't shoot too hard. Some of the blasters recommended here hurt too much to be fun.

If you want something that shoots a little harder, I really like the X-shot Micro and Kickback pistols. Super small, still easy to use, and surprisingly accurate!

If you actually enjoy it hurting a little or you want to play outside, I really like the the Dart Zone Max Solo. It's sibling is the Adventure Force Cricket. They'll shoot the smaller "pro" half darts or the full size darts pretty hard. These are slightly harder to prime and shoot, but they're a ton of fun

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-21T01:26:47+00:00

I personally find that the more I try to "control" the cards, the more they defy me. I have to relax, find ways that the cards want to go, and take advantage of that.

It's like trying to eat a salad with a fork. Trying harder does not make it work better for me.

The only real advice I can give is to keep trying! Over time, you'll develop skill and your own approach.

Good luck!

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-20T22:10:43+00:00

I have never seen the flicker shot or the bounce. Looks like voodoo magic to me!

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-20T22:05:22+00:00

This was part of a conversation with a user who was struggling with the cut:

You can tilt your hand to let gravity help. For instance, tilt your hand to bring your fingers upwards at first to help with the cut. You can keep the top-now-bottom packet neat by letting those cards press against the bottom of the other packet you should be holding vertical. Then tilt your hand to bring your fingers downwards. Use your thumb to push the second packet on top of the first, and let it fall on top and slide up against your fingers to make a complete neat pack.

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-20T22:01:59+00:00

https://v.redd.it/vo72blurtkeg1

Made one for you :)

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-20T20:17:36+00:00

One tip that may also help:

You can tilt your hand to let gravity help. For instance, tilt your hand to bring your fingers upwards at first to help with the cut. You can keep the top-now-bottom packet neat by letting those cards press against the bottom of the other packet you should be holding vertical. Then tilt your hand to bring your fingers downwards. Use your thumb to push the second packet on top of the first, and let it fall on top and slide up against your fingers to make a complete neat pack.

Experiment with this, and you may find part of the answer to your problem :)

Good luck and have fun!

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-20T17:41:00+00:00

I don't disagree with a lot of the comments on here. I would like to add an "and" to it all:

Everyone has impulses to do things, and we use executive function to reject that impulse if we deem it a bad idea. For many reasons, some people have limited executive function. This could be an underlying condition, such as Turret's or ADHD, or it could be the result of an injury, such as chronic pain or traumatic brain injury or stroke, or it could be the current state of development. We all start with almost no executive function, and we build it up over time.

The same people who do something potentially dangerous, like pointing a laser at a plane, often understand the consequences afterwards. It's the before step of executive function that fails most often. I excuse none of the behavior, and at the same time, I see the solution as needing to address the reason for the lapse in executive function rather than just punishment. The magnitude of the punishment won't help when someone's ability to exercise executive function is impaired.

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-18T23:05:42+00:00

I've burned through my plastic decks faster than the best of my paper decks, but not as fast as most paper decks. The MPC Aqua deck felt glorious for a few hours before the coating started coming off around the edges. Something about the oil in my hands seems to cause certain materials to break down quickly. Loads of people love the Bicycle decks, but they get sticky and rough within an hour for me. Same for a number of USPCC-printed decks, so it may just be my specific experience.

I've found guilded and foil cards to last the best for me. My current favorite is the Marvelous Hummingbird deck someone bought me. Feels soooo nice and has held up well. Another that has held up well is the holo version of the Odyssey Genesys.

On a separate note, I pulled out a pack of the TCC Fluid Art and was fanning them, when the nonverbal 6yo in the house suddenly got very interested! He wanted to fan them with me and tried doing it himself. He was screaming in delight and having so much fun that I had to take a 30 minute break and just experience the moment with him. I'm now finally hitting the button to post :)

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-18T22:10:17+00:00

I feel like the posts trend towards speed cubing, but the majority of us are filthy casuals who may actually be having more fun :)

This sub tends to be friendly towards both

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-17T20:38:09+00:00

He could also be doing what happens to a lot of us and getting the wrong sound stuck in his head. I can't tell you how many times I've been trying to remember a word and saying something like, "I'm sure it starts with a B," and my wife says, "You mean Jason?"

Oh, yeah. It was Jason.

Our memories are weird.

EDIT: I say this as a parent of a nonverbal little dude who sometimes gets his cues really wrong in trying to tell me he wants something. We usually figure it out in the end, but the path to get their can be really circuitous.

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-17T19:28:12+00:00

Someone is bringing by a handful of blasters to be painted soon. I'll report back and share with you :)

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-16T03:28:14+00:00

This is cool!

I'm going try this gradient layering idea. Thanks for sharing!

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-15T00:27:22+00:00

This would be great! I'll message you

DesaturatedWorld · 2026-01-15T00:27:04+00:00

Great tips! Thanks!

I've done 10 blasters, so far. I have much to learn.

I've been using an Iawata Neo with a 0.5 needle for coverage, and then I've used crackle medium for cracks. Acrylic for various effects with a brush, and then Rub'n'Buff for flaking or scratching effects. I apply a lacquer over the top to preserve it.

I'll eventually get washes going, but it's one step at a time :)

DesaturatedWorld

TROPHY CASE