QiYi 3x3x3 Axis Cube

QiYi 3x3x3 Axis Cube

At first glance it looks like an ordinary 3x3. But just a few moves are enough to turn it into a shape with irregular, slanted edges. QiYi 3x3x3 Axis Cube is a shape mod puzzle based on the classic 3x3 cube. The mechanism works just like a 3x3, but the cut lines are shifted and rotated relative to the axes, so the layers look different than on a regular cube. To solve it, you have to match not only the colors but also the shape of the pieces.

How to solve the Axis Cube

If you can solve a 3x3 cube, you can handle the Axis too. The layer-by-layer method or CFOP is all you need, with no new set of algorithms to learn. The hardest part is recognizing the pieces. Once scrambled, it is hard to tell which layer is which and where a given piece should go. Some customers say the stickered version makes it easier to find your way around. Unlike on a 3x3, you also have to keep an eye on center orientation. Because of the shape, center rotation is visible, so you sometimes need to fix it at the end.

Mechanism and tension adjustment

Inside is a QiYi mechanism carried over from their 3x3 cube. The pieces have a rounded, Florian-style shape and there are torpedoes inside. Thanks to this, the cube handles corner cutting well and rarely pops. It turns smoothly out of the box. With a looser grip, however, the layers can shift slightly, and you may get an occasional lockup. You adjust the springs with screws, so you can easily set the tension to your liking. The cube has no magnets.

Color versions

The cube is available in Black, Stickerless Bright, Jelly color and Bright/Black versions. On the black body, the division into pieces is easier to see. In the stickerless versions, the shapes are harder to tell apart, which makes solving more challenging.

Who is it for?

For those who can already solve a 3x3 and want to start exploring mods. The Axis Cube is also a great addition to a puzzle collection. It is not allowed in official WCA competitions and it is not a cube for setting speed records. It is a puzzle where figuring out the shape is what counts.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3 shape mod puzzle
• Manufacturer: QiYi
• Size: 57 mm
• Weight: approx. 102 g
• Magnets: none
• Tension adjustment: adjustment screws
• Release year: 2019
• WCA competition legal: no

The set includes:

1. the puzzle
2. solving instructions