Rubik's Brand Cubes: Short Review (2-5)

These cubes are really not meant for speedsolving. They are good beginner's cubes though.

2x2's

Rubiks 2x2: It comes with the old color scheme, which makes it harder to get used to. It has no corner cutting ability, but after lube, will glide very well. The center piece notches break easily, which makes it pop every 3 turns. $7

Rubiks Ice 2x2: Its the same as the Rubiks 2x2, but the cube is transparent with transparent stickers. Still has the old color scheme. These cubes are speculated to have better gliding than the Rubiks, but that hasn't been tested much. $8

Rubiks Jr. 2x2: It is has the same turning as the Rubiks 2x2, but this one has different stickers oriented to newer cubers. It has a green, pink, and a monkey side. (There are 4 pink sides) This cube actually hasn't proven to be "easier" than the regular 2x2 though... $7

3x3's

Rubiks StoreBought: This cube is decent after break in. It has the standard corners and capless edges. There is no springs, which makes the corner cutting ability low and the lock-up rate high. Over time, and after alot of breaking in, this cube can actually be good. I could get a sub 25 second average on mine. The only issue with breaking it in is that too much of it will make the cube loose, and you can't tighten it. $10-$15

Rubiks 25th Anniversary: It's said to be better in turning than the Rubiks StoreBought, but that's only a few opinions. It has the regular American Color scheme, with Chrome replacing white. It also has a cool new logo for the 25 years its been out. $20

Rubiks 30th Anniversary: This cube is 95% made of wood. Why 95% you may ask? The internal pieces (The ones that go into the mechanism) are made of the standard black plastic. This cube has transparent sticker, like the ones that come on the Ice Cube, to let the user see the wood grain on the cubies. This cube looks great on a shelf, not so good turning. It actually turns bad, but this isn't a cube to go around speedsolving. $30

Rubiks Studio: Very rare puzzle indeed. These are the original 3x3's produced in Hungary. These are considered to be the "Ultimate Collector's Item" in some people's terms. The cube turns bad (from what I've seen) and has the old color scheme. These can go from $30 - $100 depending on the condition of the cube.

Rubiks KeyChain Cube: It is what they say it is. A mini Rubiks Cube. Same turning and stickers as the regular cube, but they still have the old Rubiks Logo. These cubes happen to break easily and have OK turning. (Maru is better...) Nice to keep on a backpack or keyring. Not suitable for speedsolving, but just fun to have. They're also quite cheap compared to the other cubes. $5

4x4's

Rubiks StoreBought: A locky and poppy cube. That's it. Even after the Thrawst mod, it still locks and pops quite a bit. The new ones have ridges on the underside of the edges to "prevent" popping. It makes the cube rougher and it still pops the same amount. It just makes the piece stay in the cube when it pops. $15-$20

5x5:

Rubiks 5x5: This cube is actually OK. Its really bulky in weight and size. It comes stiff out of the box, but loosens up over time. After lube, this cube turns good, but the center corners twist out of alignment every turn, which makes handling this cube a big pain in the you know what... A whopping $30! (V-Cubes are only a little more expensive)

All these cubes have the standard Rubiks Stickers. (Excluding the 30th Anniversary, Ice Cube, Studio, Rubiks JR, and Rubiks 2x2) have the standard American color scheme with Orange o. Red, Blue o. Green, White o. Yellow. They have the clear film over the sticker that tends to peel with use.

Short Reviews on My Main SpeedCubes!

LanLan 2x2: It is basically an Eastsheen 2x2 with screw-spring structure. The springs are too stiff though, so I've replaced them with pen springs. Unlubed and is best that way. Its a very smooth puzzle, not wobbly and loose like a broken in Eastsheen.

GhostHand II: A very smooth 3x3. On it's best side, it can cut corners 45 degrees with barely any effort. Has a "washboard" design on the edges and ridges on the center pieces to minimize the friction between the piece. Its my quitest cube and has a "fluffy" feeling. (:p if that makes any sense) It does like to overshoot though.

QJ 4x4: A corner has broken, so I have to order a new corner. I've de-tiled it and stickered with CubeSmith. A nice 4x4, but I REALLY want a Maru, but they're very expensive.

QJ 5x5: It came super fast out of the box. Very large and heavy, which is annoying for me who has small hands. It has the thick QJ tiles which makes it too big for me to handle with ease. I'm hoping to get a YJ or V-Cube of course. I can sub-4 it, which is good, because I never practice 5x5. It makes my hands very tired from holding it.

GhostHand Magic: Mine is quite broken in, it is much looser than the Rubiks Brand. I can get a sub 1.5 average. The strings are much stronger than the Rubiks as well.

QJ Pyraminx: Very loose and a bit hard to fingertrick. I know OKA for the pyraminx. But the QJ locks up like crazy, and for some reason, mine pops quite alot.

Mini Diansheng (OH): I got this cube a long time ago. Ive stickered it with Rubiks 4x4 stickers and lubed with CRC. Its amazing for one-hand since I have small hands. I still want a mini A5, but this is really good.