ShengShou 17x17x17

ShengShou 17x17x17

ShengShou 17x17x17 is a cube with seventeen layers on every face. It was released in 2019 as the second mass-produced 17x17, after the HuangLong 17x17 by YuXin. The main difference from its competitor is size. It measures approx. 122 mm per side and weighs approx. 1080 g, while the HuangLong measures approx. 176 mm and weighs almost 3 kg. The ShengShou model is therefore more than 5 cm smaller and roughly three times lighter, so you can actually hold it in your hands while solving instead of only turning it on a table.

How it turns

Turning is heavy but smooth. Out of the box the cube is stiff and needs tension adjustment and breaking in. Users report that the stiffness drops noticeably after just a few patterns or the first solve. With seventeen layers, you need to make sure the layers are aligned before the next turn. Rushed turning can cause lockups, most often on the center pieces according to reviews. After heavy use the mechanism dries out, and lube helps then. This is not a cube you solve for TPS. What counts are calm, precise moves and patience.

Construction and adjustment

The cube has a pillowed shape, meaning slightly convex faces. This makes it sit well in your hands despite its size. It has no magnets. Tension is set with adjustment screws, which is especially useful with this many layers at the beginning, before the mechanism breaks in. The available version is stickerless bright, i.e. colored plastic without stickers.

Who is the 17x17 cube for?

For those who have already mastered bigger NxN cubes and want to test themselves on a truly large format. It is also a great display piece for collectors. Solving a 17x17 takes hours, not minutes, so for a first cube or a gift for a child who is just starting out, a smaller model is a better choice. The 17x17 is not a WCA event and cannot be used at official competitions. Watch out for the names: ShengShou also offers the newer MoSheng 17x17. It is a different, smaller model, also available in a magnetic version.

Specifications

Size: approx. 122 mm
Weight: approx. 1080 g
Magnets: none
Adjustment: adjustment screws
Shape: pillowed
Color version: stickerless bright
Release year: 2019
Official WCA competitions: no

The set includes:

1. the puzzle