Fanxin Lemon Cube

Fanxin Lemon Cube 3x3

Fanxin Lemon Cube is a lemon-shaped puzzle with a regular 3x3 cube inside. The mechanism and the layer structure are the same as in a classic 3x3 cube. Only the shape of the pieces changes. The cube is a single colour (yellow), so you don't solve it by colours but by shape. In the end, the whole puzzle has to become a smooth lemon again. It's a shape mod from Fanxin's fruit series, which also includes an apple, a pear, a peach, an orange and a banana.

How to solve this shape mod

If you can solve a regular 3x3, you don't need to learn any new algorithms. The difficulty lies elsewhere. Many pieces look very similar, and colour gives you no hints. You have to look at the bulges and edges, and simply recognising a piece takes longer than on a coloured cube. Buyers also point out that the lemon shape means you hold the cube differently, and not every move feels as natural as on a cube-shaped puzzle. Some people also run into situations they don't know from a regular 3x3. These can usually be solved without special algorithms after a moment's thought.

For an inexpensive fun cube, the Lemon turns surprisingly smoothly and handles light corner cutting. However, it is not a speedcubing cube. A few users report that the smallest corner caps can pop off during vigorous turning. Fortunately, they are easy to press back in.

Who is it for?

For anyone who can already solve a classic 3x3 and wants to try something different. It's also a good fit for shape mod collectors and works as an unusual gift or a desk decoration. A child who is just starting out may quickly get discouraged, because without colours it's harder to find your way around. It's better to start with a regular 3x3 cube. The Fanxin Lemon is not permitted in official WCA competitions.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3 cube shape mod (lemon)
• Manufacturer: Fanxin
• Catalogue number: FX8802
• Dimensions: approx. 60 x 60 x 81 mm
• Weight: approx. 72 g
• Colour: yellow
• Adjustment: adjustment screws
• Release year: 2019
• WCA competition legal: no