How do you NOT use a method you already know when solving a cube?

[Ellsming]

Title says it all. How, when solving a puzzle (not just a cube, any puzzle you have) do you not use any method you already know, and try to solve it completely intuitively? Or at least create your own algorithms and methods for it. I've tried this so many times with a 3x3 but I find it impossible to come up with my own algorithm to arrange pieces when I already know an algorithm that will do exactly the same. How does one temporarily 'unlearn' how to solve it?

I never learned how to solve a pyraminx and do that completely intuitively in 15-20 seconds, and I would maybe find that more enjoyable than solving cubic puzzles if I didn't hate the shape of it so much, simply because I know that I figured it out myself. Anyone else feel this way? Are there any puzzles you taught yourself to do rather than learning from tutorials? How do you feel about them in comparison?

Also, as a bonus question, can anyone recommend any 'different' puzzles? Whether differently shaped or just how the mechanism works, I want to try some new ones out for the above reasons - to solve it on my own and create my own method, rather than (or at least before I) learn a speed-method, if one exists. In particular I love the look of Smaz's time machine, but it's far too expensive for me to invest in one right now. Anyone know of anything similar to that but cheaper?



So, to sum up;
1) How does one temporarily 'unlearn' how to solve a puzzle in order to create one's own method?
2) Compare your feelings between puzzles you've been taught how to solve and puzzles you've figured out yourself.
3) Recommend 'different' puzzles.


Please discuss anything and everything!

 

[Jaycee]

1) I don't think one could act like they've unlearned how to solve a puzzle. My friend and I had a conversation one day about how it would be cool if there was a switch that could turn off all knowledge you have of solving a cube. *is in midsolve* *hits switch* "Wow, I got 1 side!"
2) I also learned Pyra intuitively and have since learned a more usable method for it. I do get to improvise during some solves so that's good. I don't feel any differently about puzzles I was taught to solve and puzzles I solved on my own (Pyra, 4x4 except OLL parity)
3) Megaminx, Square-1? I don't know of many puzzles but I'm also interested in Smaz's time machine :3

 

[ncube]

I guess you could learn about comms.

 

[Ross The Boss]

i block build then use commutators. i learned how to do big cubes lbl to.

 

[TheOneOnTheLeft]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54SGrZbLcoE

If you want to learn about commutators, I found this video really helpful.

Also, try a skewb, I managed to figure one out in a day or so.

 

[crappycuber]

Gear cubes are really good if you want an interesting puzzle to solve intuitively

 

[stoic]

The Dayan Bermuda planets is a pretty wild set of different cubes; I guess if you learned comms you could figure them all out.
Not cheap though

 

[Renslay]

Gear cubes are really good if you want an interesting puzzle to solve intuitively

And Latch Cube. I have a rough method to solve it, but this puzzle requires highly intuitive skills even in its very first steps.

 

[crappycuber]

And Latch Cube. I have a rough method to solve it, but this puzzle requires highly intuitive skills even in its very first steps.

Don't forget the constrained cube