MF8 12-Axis The Cullinan cube

MF8 12-Axis The Cullinan cube

MF8 The Cullinan is a 12-axis shape-shifting puzzle from mf8's series of dodecahedra based on the sun mechanism. SunMinx uses the same design. The Cullinan has a different outer shape: the mechanism and the axes of rotation stay the same, only the shape of the pieces changes. The version on sale is Black, meaning it has a black body.

How the sun mechanism works

On a regular Megaminx, a face turns in 72-degree steps. The sun mechanism lets you stop it halfway, at 36 degrees. In this position you can turn the adjacent faces, so the pieces get mixed up (jumbling) and the puzzle loses its original shape. On top of that, the edges are split into parts, which also have to be put back together after scrambling. This makes the Cullinan clearly harder than a Megaminx, even though it has the same number of axes.

Shape

The puzzles in this series differ mainly in their outer shape. SunMinx is a regular dodecahedron. Heaven's Eyes is shaped like a rhombic dodecahedron, and the Cullinan is most often described as a truncated pentagonal bipyramid. So the puzzle is not perfectly symmetrical: it is approx. 126 mm wide and 121 mm high. If you already have a SunMinx, you know this mechanism. The Cullinan, however, also requires you to keep track of the shape, not just the colors.

Who is it for?

This puzzle is for collectors and anyone who enjoys unusual puzzles. It is not suitable for speedcubing. You will get the most out of it if you have already solved a Megaminx and puzzles with fractional turns, such as the Sun Cube or SunMinx. The puzzle is large and fairly heavy, and turning requires precise alignment of the layers. The Cullinan is not a good choice as a first puzzle, including for a child.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: mf8
• Type: 12-axis shape-shifting puzzle (sun mechanism, 36° turns)
• Manufacturer code: mf8x004
• Dimensions: approx. 126 x 126 x 121 mm
• Weight: approx. 541 g (without packaging)
• Material: ABS plastic
• Body color: Black