YJ Blind Cube

YJ Blind Cube 3x3

YJ Blind Cube is a 3x3 cube without stickers. Instead, its faces are covered with plastic tiles with a raised 3D pattern. Each face has its own colour and its own texture, so you can recognise the colours both by sight and by touch. This means you can solve the cube with your eyes closed without knowing any blindfolded methods. Your usual 3x3 method is enough, and you identify the colours with your fingers.

How it works in practice

In classic blindfolded solving (3BLD), a cuber memorises the cube and then solves it without looking, using special methods. With the Blind Cube you don't need to memorise anything, because you can check the state of the cube with your fingers the whole time. You can use this cube to practise solving without looking at your hands and to train lookahead. It also makes a fun novelty for anyone who can already solve a regular 3x3. It is very useful for blind and visually impaired people too, as they can solve it on their own. The tiles don't wear off or peel like stickers.

Keep in mind that this is not a cube for breaking records. The mechanism works properly, but corner cutting is noticeably weaker than in modern speed cubes, and the cube has no magnets. According to user reviews, it can be tight and dry out of the box, and the springs can be heard when turning. Lubing it and loosening the screws usually helps. Some people also point out that certain patterns are hard to tell apart until you get used to them.

Who is it for?

For people who can solve a 3x3 cube and want to try solving without looking. For people with visual impairments. It also makes an unusual gift for a cuber. If you mainly want a cube for fast solving, a classic magnetic speed cube is a better choice. The Blind Cube is not allowed in official competitions.

Specifications

• Type: 3x3 cube with textured 3D tiles
• Manufacturer: YJ
• Size: approx. 60 mm
• Weight: approx. 92 g
• Body colour: black
• Magnets: none
• Tension adjustment: adjustment screws
• Release year: 2020
• Allowed in official competitions: no
• In the box: puzzle

The colours and patterns of the tiles assigned to each face may vary depending on the production batch.