MF8 Fish-shaped Skewb

MF8 Fish-shaped Skewb

MF8 Fish-shaped Skewb is a shape mod built on the Skewb mechanism. The box also shows the name Skewskewb. When solved, it is a cube with sides of approx. 57 mm, and the cut lines on each face form the outline of a fish, which is where the name comes from. After a few moves the cube loses its shape, and once scrambled it looks like neither a cube nor a fish.

How it differs from a regular Skewb

The moves are the same as on a classic Skewb: halves of the puzzle turn around axes running through the corners. Only the cuts are different, so the pieces have different shapes and the puzzle changes shape a lot (shapeshifting). On a regular Skewb, center orientation doesn't matter. Here every piece has a fixed position, so matching the colors isn't enough. You also have to restore the shape. People who have solved it find it noticeably harder than a standard Skewb. It's a good idea to master the regular Skewb first and only then take on this version.

The name is sometimes confused with the Fisher Skewb, but these are two different puzzles. The Fisher Skewb has rotated cuts, similar to the Fisher Cube, while the Fish-shaped Skewb simply has a pattern that resembles a fish.

How it turns

This is not a speedcube but a puzzle for your collection and for relaxed solving. According to user reviews, the turning is decent, but a new puzzle can be quite tight and catching sometimes occurs. A little lube and breaking it in over a few solves helps. If you turn it too fast or too aggressively, pieces may pop out, so it's better to turn it calmly and precisely.

Who is it for?

For those who can solve a Skewb and want to try something harder, and for collectors of Skewb variants and other shape mods. It also makes a good gift, but preferably for someone who already solves puzzles, as it may be too difficult as a first puzzle.

Specifications

• Type: Skewb-based shape mod
• Manufacturer: MF8
• Also known as: Skewskewb
• Dimensions: 57 x 57 x 57 mm
• Weight: approx. 97 g (approx. 108 g with packaging)
• Material: ABS plastic
• Color version: Stickerless Bright