Brushing my boy?!

[Art's Girl]

So i've just been reading on another thread everyones views on the furminator etc....... but i have an even more basic question!
How do i manage to brush my boy thoroughly without being scratched all over my arms!?
Although there is no real malice to his scratching, Arthur doesn't realise how sharp his claws are and i actually got asked at work the other day if i am a self-harmer (due to the scratches on my arms!)
When i get the brush out, Arthur talks and chats, will strut around and seems apparently ok with the idea of a brush.
However he only really wants to be brushed if i hold the brush up for him to rub himself along! He is very particular about this!!
If i try to do his belly or fluffy trousers, the claws come out and he thinks its the best game to attach himself to my arm.
I've tried talking to him sternly (not interested), but it looks like i'm destined to brush him dressed in multiple layers!
So any hints??
Please don't tell me all other maine coons are just sweeties to groom???

[cooncatbob]

Before you brush him you need to clip his front claws.

[Helen & John]

Mine will tolarate being groomed, they like their backs and sides being done, they don't mind the tail either. I manage a couple of mins before they decide they want the comb or brush and then you have to try and dodge the paws as they try to take it off you!! for their bellys we tend to gang up on Hector as he really wants the brush then. If roxy is in the mood she will lie on the floor and let you do a bit of her belly then we have to gang up on her too as she matts so I regually have to cut chunks out!
\I know what you mean about the self harm look, Roxy kneeds my thighs and I have a massive scar on my shin from her dip into the bath, when I got into hospital to have Freddie i told the midwife about her just in case she thought I was a self harmer!!!

[Art's Girl]

So glad it's not just me!! Boyfriend and I do gang up on him but then he starts shouting like we r killing him!!

I tend to explain about the self harm look too but when I say 'i've got a cat', no one appreciates it's not just your standard moggie! It's 10kg worth of Maine coon!!

[cooncatbob]

Some kitty have tender skin, now Samantha loved her Papa but if I pulled the fur on her britches when I was combing her her would take a swat at me, hiss and run off.
She'd return a short time later and we'd forgive each other.

[jckkerrison]

Firstly clip all claws,those back legs can come round & hang onto you equally as easy as the front ones can cling in,make grooming time a fun & bonding time,the hardest one we ever had was our first girl who was a retired breeding queen so she was already set in her "bad"ways & we had to convince her they were not right,the babes we have just started lightly grooming from day one & built on it,now I expect to be able to groom all of an adult in one go but have slowly built up to that by doing small bits at a time while playing as well,always have a comb or small slicker brush near at hand,mine are on nearest side table,because then when they come on your lap you can just do a few quick combs on the favourite part of the body,nothing else,that way they soon get to relate it with being a nice feeling & gradually you can build on it,when they are little I never try & do the hard grooming while sitting in the same chair as the fun part in fact I find it easier to get down on the floor with them & if they do start giving a hard time like our girl used to I scruff lay her down on the floor & then with pressurs from my arm pressing down I went for it,wailing thrashing aside never give up on a negative,when I finish be it a quick lick or full grooming session,wether we have had a struggle or not they always get a treat but am very lucky with the five I have now especially Shimba who takes twice as long because every few minutes up comes his head & we have to have kissy kissy & cuddle time before doing a bit more,even the old girl RIP got to enjoy her grooming sessions after a couple of years I think she realised it was one to one time but did we have some struggles to get there,the one thing I have learned with MC's though is it is easier to do some things with a second persons help but if that second person hangs on tight then the cat seems to feel a lot more threatend & ups the anti,just getting someone to gently hold that spare leg etc out of the way seems to work a lot better.....

[cooncatbob]

Samantha and I always spent time together at bed time, I'd read and watch TV in bed and Samantha would sit beside me and get pets.
I would use this time to comb her, she loved to have her sweet kitty face combed, also her top sides.
What she didn't enjoy was having her bell and britches combed, this was also where the mats would form especially the britches, I imagine the fur being finer and thicker was more sensitive to pulling on her tender skin.
I never found a solution, I'd have to take her at least twice a year to be groomed, I found a very good groomer close to my home they'd schedule her before the dogs would arrive remove any mats, give her a potty patch and thin out the belly fur somewhat, then they'd bathe her she would come home sweet smelling and her coat just shimmered.