Calvins Puzzle 3x3x5 Cross-Cube with Tony Fisher & Evgeniy logo

Calvins Puzzle 3x3x5 Cross-Cube with Tony Fisher & Evgeniy logo

The 3x3x5 Cross-Cube is part of Calvin's Puzzle's 3x3x5 Cuboid series, created by Aleh Hladzilin, Tony Fisher and Evgeniy Grigoriev. This puzzle is a shape mod of the 3x3x5 cuboid. The 3x3x5 mechanism has a new outer shape that looks like a cross when solved. The puzzle features the logos of Tony Fisher and Evgeniy. The Stickerless Bright version has no stickers, only coloured plastic, so nothing wears off or peels.

How to solve it

It's a good way to try cuboids after the 3x3 and 5x5. People who have solved the Cross-Cube say that much of the solve feels like a 5x5 without corners and edges. If you know the reduction method, you'll quickly find your way through the first stages. It gets harder towards the end, when you finish the last pieces. When scrambled, the shape changes and it's easier to lose your orientation than on a regular cube. An experienced 5x5 solver may find this puzzle fairly easy. For someone who hasn't tried cuboids before, it's a real challenge.

Mechanism and turning

The Cross-Cube is a collector's puzzle, not a speedcubing cube. It has no magnets or tension adjustment, and the turning is clearly different from modern 3x3 cubes. User opinions are mixed. Some praise the solid build, while others mention lockups and layer misalignment with less precise moves. It's best to turn calmly and make sure the layers are aligned before the next move.

Who is it for?

The Cross-Cube is for collectors of shape mods and cuboids, and for cubers who already know the 3x3 and 5x5 and want something different from yet another NxN cube. It will also please fans of Tony Fisher's designs – his name is linked to many well-known cube modifications. For a first cube or for speedsolving, a classic 3x3 model is a better choice.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3x5 cuboid shape mod
• Manufacturer: Calvin's Puzzle
• Series: Calvin's 3x3x5 Cuboid Series
• Design: Tony Fisher and Evgeniy Grigoriev (logos of both designers on the puzzle)
• Colour version: Stickerless Bright
• Material: ABS plastic
• Magnets: none
• Weight with packaging: approx. 340 g