Calvins Puzzle Gear 2x2 Plus Cube (4-color stickers)

Calvins Puzzle Gear 2x2 Plus Cube (4-color stickers)

Calvins Puzzle Gear 2x2 Plus Cube looks like an ordinary 2x2 cube, but it works differently. It is also sold as the Bram & Oskar Gear 2x2 Cube Plus. The idea for the mechanism came from Bram Cohen, the design was created by Oskar van Deventer, and the cube is manufactured by Calvin's Puzzle. The first Gear 2x2x2 appeared in 2009, and the improved Plus version followed in 2015. Our version has a black body and stickers in four colors instead of the standard six.

How this gear cube works

On two axes, the Gear 2x2 Plus turns just like a classic 2x2. On the third axis, gears rotate together with the layer. The cube is only solved when every face is a single color and all the gears are "flattened", meaning they sit flush with the surface. The Plus version has six-tooth gears and exposed sliders. In total, that is 8 more pieces than the basic Gear 2x2.

Plus or the basic version?

The extra pieces make the Plus more complex than the original on paper. In practice, opinions are divided. Some people find the Plus easier to solve, because the visible sliders help you keep track of what is happening to the cube. A lot depends on how you approach puzzles. The 4-color sticker version has a different color scheme than the 6-color variant, so some faces share the same colors. That is good news if you already own the 6-color Gear 2x2 Plus and want to try a different variant.

Who is it for?

This cube is for collectors and anyone who enjoys unusual puzzles. It is not suitable for speedcubing and is not a WCA event, so there is no point comparing it with 2x2 cubes made for setting times. When solving it, knowledge of the 2x2 (e.g. the Ortega method) and algorithms for 3x3x2 cuboids helps the most. You usually start by flattening the gears, then pair them up, and finally solve the faces without gears. For a child's first cube, a classic 2x2 or 3x3 is a better choice.

Specifications

• Type: 2x2 gear cube, Plus version
• Manufacturer: Calvin's Puzzle
• Idea and design: Bram Cohen, Oskar van Deventer
• Body color: black
• Stickers: 4 colors
• Dimensions: approx. 6.4 x 6.4 x 6.4 cm