[Help Thread] Square-1 Discussion

Which of the following should I get: Calvin Square-1 or the mf8 v2 Square-1? I already have a Cubetwist, but it's much too slow for my liking, not to mention its high popping rate...
 
I got my first square-1 yesterday. I have been learning from AndrewKNelson's tutorial but use the cubeshape described in Thrawst's tutorial. I also watched brandbestawesome's advanced cubeshape tutorial but I still suck at cubeshape. Tips?
 
I got my first square-1 yesterday. I have been learning from AndrewKNelson's tutorial but use the cubeshape described in Thrawst's tutorial. I also watched brandbestawesome's advanced cubeshape tutorial but I still suck at cubeshape. Tips?

Lol you probably shouldn't be trying to learn the advanced cubeshape way if you just started learning cubeshape.
Anyway, that's basically how you should be doing cubeshape if you just start out. Try and get at least sub-50 or something before you start learning advanced cubeshape. Of course, practice. The more you practice, the better you can plan out your cubeshape. If you plan the entire thing out during inspection, even sub-40 is possible.

Try and get 4 edges next to each other first, then gradually build up to 6 edges, then 8 edges. Thrawst does not show a good way to take care of the "L" case so to take care of it, combine the L with 4 edges, then make it into a line instead. Holding the 6 edges to the left and the L at the top-left of the bottom face, the alg is 4,0/-4,3/ and you have a flat line.

If you still have questions, feel free to ask more :).

You can also try elimescube's tutorial; that's where I first learned how to solve square-1 after getting fed up with Thrawst's tutorial. :P
 
Lol you probably shouldn't be trying to learn the advanced cubeshape way if you just started learning cubeshape.
Anyway, that's basically how you should be doing cubeshape if you just start out. Try and get at least sub-50 or something before you start learning advanced cubeshape. Of course, practice. The more you practice, the better you can plan out your cubeshape. If you plan the entire thing out during inspection, even sub-40 is possible.

Try and get 4 edges next to each other first, then gradually build up to 6 edges, then 8 edges. Thrawst does not show a good way to take care of the "L" case so to take care of it, combine the L with 4 edges, then make it into a line instead. Holding the 6 edges to the left and the L at the top-left of the bottom face, the alg is 4,0/-4,3/ and you have a flat line.

If you still have questions, feel free to ask more :).

You can also try elimescube's tutorial; that's where I first learned how to solve square-1 after getting fed up with Thrawst's tutorial. :P

Thanks. That is helpful. I will watch elimescube's tutorial later.
 
I looked at the sub-20 guide on backtosquare1.webs.com. Do you think this is a good guide? The one thing I have noticed is at 1:30+ (me) no corner algs are mentioned.

IMO, the guide has too many lists. Learn some tips. Get an general idea of what your doing. You'll be sub 30 in no time.

TBH, square 1 is basically memorizing algs and turning quickly (see turning styles). The rest you'll pick up naturally.
 
Hey! i'm new to square-1.
I'm still learning to solve it fluently. I use Andrew Knelson's website (Stage 1 for now) to guide me. After a week, my times are just under 3 minutes :( I don't know what takes so long. Guess I just have to practice.

Finally sub 30! :) But I wonder how I can possibly go faster. I feel like this is the limit. My averages are usually 27.xx to 29.xx. Still use scallop/kite for the most part of cubeshape.
90% of the time I sub-12 cubeshape+CO+EO. If there is no parity, I usually sub 25. If there is parity, sub-30 or sometimes higher.
The question is; What did you guys do to get to sub 25 or sub 20 consistently when you were at this stage?
 
How long did it take you to get sub-30?
Probably 3 months because I didn't take square-1 seriously until I got third place at a competition and my puzzle sucked.
Finally sub 30! :) But I wonder how I can possibly go faster. I feel like this is the limit. My averages are usually 27.xx to 29.xx. Still use scallop/kite for the most part of cubeshape.
90% of the time I sub-12 cubeshape+CO+EO. If there is no parity, I usually sub 25. If there is parity, sub-30 or sometimes higher.
The question is; What did you guys do to get to sub 25 or sub 20 consistently when you were at this stage?
1.Develop a good turning style. If you check out my solving videos you can see my spammy fingertricks.
2. Learn any nasty cubeshapes and the alg for them, like paw- paw.
3.if you want, learn more eps or parity cp. I know about 35 or so eps.

You could post a video and we could help.
 
How long did it take you to get sub-30?

It actually took me an entire year to get sub30. After that, I decided to learn CP parity. It took another year to push my average under 20 seconds. (a one point or another)
The algs are actually really nice and I highly recommend you learn CP parity if you intend to be sub20 although it is not necessary (see Brandon).
 
Alright, if anyone wants to know what algs i'm using, I am going to put all my algs here (excluding cubeshape)

EO
1-1: 1,0/3,0/3,0/-1,-1/-2,1/-3,0/ (edges at R and B) OR 0,-1/-3,0/4,1/-4,-1/3,0/ (edges at B and F)
2Line-2Line: 1,0/-1,-1/0,1 (both pairs of edges forward)
2L-2L: 1,0/3,0/-1,-1/-3,0/ (pairs at FL and FR)
2L-2Line: 1,0/3,0/3,0/-1,-1/-2,1/-4,-1/ (L at BL, line forward)
2Line-2L: 0,-1/3,0/-3,0/4,1/-3,0/
3-3: 1,0/3,0/3,0/-1,-1/-3,0/-3,0/ (triplets at F and R)
4-4: 1,0/-1,-1/-3,3/1,1/-1,0

CP
Adj-Adj: /-3,0/3,3/0,-3/ (both at back)
Adj-None: /3,-3/3,0/-3,0/0,3/-3,0/ (adj at back)
None-Adj: /3,-3/0,3/-3,0/3,0/-3,0/ (adj at back)
Adj-Opp: /0,-3/0,3/0,-3/0,3/ (adj at left)
Opp-Adj: /-3,0/3,0/-3,0/3,0/ (adj at left)
Opp-Opp: /3,-3/-3,3/
Opp-None: /-3,-3/-3,0/-3,-3/-3,0/-3,-3/
None-Opp: /-3,-3/0,-3/-3,-3/0,-3/-3,-3/

EP algs are viewable in the excel worksheet in my sig: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ArNLHFF_7D8mdHZZcEtCeTgwNDF0Vl83TE9NNEpJYmc#gid=0
 
I wish someone would make a road to sub-20 guide (like the one for CFOP). That would be helpful. I know of the one on backtosquare1.webs.com , but I don't like it and I want to do parity cp.
 
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