SengSo 5x5 Pentahedron

SengSo 5x5 Pentahedron

SengSo 5x5 Pentahedron is a ShengShou puzzle shaped like a triangular prism. It has five faces, two triangular and three lateral, and every one of them can be turned. The puzzle has 5 layers and 5 axes of rotation, which makes it the largest version in the SengSo Pentahedron series in terms of piece count. The series also includes 2-, 3- and 4-layer puzzles. The faces are slightly convex (pillowed), and the puzzle comes in a stickerless bright version, which means it is made of coloured plastic with no stickers.

How this pentahedron works

The lateral faces turn only 180 degrees, and the triangular faces turn 120 degrees. This restriction is what sets it apart from a regular 5x5 cube the most. Some moves you know from cubes simply don't exist here, so you need to think in a similar way as with cuboids, where you also work with half turns. When solving, it's a good idea to start with the centers and edges on the lateral faces, then move on to the triangular layers and the inner layers. The corners are left for last.

People who have solved it say it takes a lot of thinking, even if you have experience with other puzzles. This is not a puzzle you can solve by simply carrying over ready-made 5x5 algorithms.

What to watch out for

This is a simple design with no magnets, no UV coating and no Ball-Core, made for collectors and as a fresh challenge rather than for setting fast times. Reviews suggest that the 5-layer version is noticeably more prone to popping than the smaller models in the series. Fast, aggressive turning can make pieces pop out, and a drop usually ends with the puzzle falling apart. Reassembling it isn't very difficult, but it's better to turn calmly and precisely.

Who is it for?

For someone who already knows NxN cubes and cuboids and is looking for something unusual for their collection. As a first puzzle or a gift for a child who is just learning the 3x3, this model will probably be too difficult. It's better to start with a smaller version of the Pentahedron.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: ShengShou (SengSo brand)
• Type: pentahedron (triangular prism), 5 layers, 5 axes of rotation
• Turning: lateral faces 180°, triangular faces 120°
• Weight: approx. 113 g (puzzle only)
• Magnets: none
• Finish: stickerless bright, no UV coating