Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 26 minutes ago
Before receiving this cube, I had heard fairly positive things about the cube from TheCubicle, who had received samples a few days before I did. Knowing that the cube was 61.5mm and had decent performance gave the impression that this would be close to an instant main for most 5BLD solvers. The out-of-the-box performance continued to give this impression, feeling somewhat like an improved DaYan NeZha. The only issue of note was the cube's strong tendency towards 5x5 lockups as a result of its incredibly effortless corner cutting.
Tightening the cube largely solves this issue, but otherwise, setting the cube up led to a few disappointments. First, the range of tensions where 5x5 lockups are rare and the corner cutting is good is quite small. Even then, corner cutting is noticeably harder within this tension range than it is while risking 5x5 lockups. Second, when I tried to take out a wing to set up the cube, half of the edge foot snapped off. This seems to be indicative of an issue with the durability of the cube, but luckily I had received two cubes from Vin, so I replaced the wing and continued with setup. However, the cube barely seemed to respond to my setup of Angstrom Gravitas and MoYu Lube v1 at all. Not only did this setup not grant the level of control that it does on most puzzles, especially 4x4s and 5x5s, but the cube still has a rather dry feeling that I find quite unpleasant.
Overall, this cube does have niches where it succeeds, like it's size for 5BLD. The trend of big cubes getting smaller has been devastating for 5BLDers especially, as a 60mm 5x5 can really only be viable if every single other aspect of its performance can outclass its competitors. That being said, we are in a situation where a 60mm 5x5 is a frontrunner in the conversation for the best 5BLD cube. I think that it can be worth it for a 5BLDer to pick up this cube in order to consider maining it, but its niche is somewhat limited. In the current era where BLD and sighted hardware have a greater tendency to diverge for big cubes, it's a shame that this cube just barely can't quite live up to its potential.
Sponsored by Vin Cube and TheCubicle.com! Use discount code "SCALPEL" for 5% off your orders from TheCubicle!
#teamcubicle #vincube
Before receiving this cube, I had heard fairly positive things about the cube from TheCubicle, who had received samples a few days before I did. Knowing that the cube was 61.5mm and had decent performance gave the impression that this would be close to an instant main for most 5BLD solvers. The out-of-the-box performance continued to give this impression, feeling somewhat like an improved DaYan NeZha. The only issue of note was the cube's strong tendency towards 5x5 lockups as a result of its incredibly effortless corner cutting.
Tightening the cube largely solves this issue, but otherwise, setting the cube up led to a few disappointments. First, the range of tensions where 5x5 lockups are rare and the corner cutting is good is quite small. Even then, corner cutting is noticeably harder within this tension range than it is while risking 5x5 lockups. Second, when I tried to take out a wing to set up the cube, half of the edge foot snapped off. This seems to be indicative of an issue with the durability of the cube, but luckily I had received two cubes from Vin, so I replaced the wing and continued with setup. However, the cube barely seemed to respond to my setup of Angstrom Gravitas and MoYu Lube v1 at all. Not only did this setup not grant the level of control that it does on most puzzles, especially 4x4s and 5x5s, but the cube still has a rather dry feeling that I find quite unpleasant.
Overall, this cube does have niches where it succeeds, like it's size for 5BLD. The trend of big cubes getting smaller has been devastating for 5BLDers especially, as a 60mm 5x5 can really only be viable if every single other aspect of its performance can outclass its competitors. That being said, we are in a situation where a 60mm 5x5 is a frontrunner in the conversation for the best 5BLD cube. I think that it can be worth it for a 5BLDer to pick up this cube in order to consider maining it, but its niche is somewhat limited. In the current era where BLD and sighted hardware have a greater tendency to diverge for big cubes, it's a shame that this cube just barely can't quite live up to its potential.
Sponsored by Vin Cube and TheCubicle.com! Use discount code "SCALPEL" for 5% off your orders from TheCubicle!
#teamcubicle #vincube
