YJ JinJiao 3x3x3

YJ JinJiao 3x3x3

The YJ JinJiao 3x3x3 is a concave 3x3 cube released by YJ (YongJun) at the end of 2018. The name JinJiao means "golden corner" in Chinese. The faces are recessed inwards and the corners stick out above the rest of the shape, so the cube looks completely different from a classic 3x3. The stickerless plastic colours are muted and slightly pastel, more subdued than on typical cubes in the Bright version.

How the concave YJ JinJiao turns

The mechanism is intermediate-level, but in a cube with this shape it works very well. Turning is smooth, and the cube rarely locks up. Corner cutting exceeds 40°. According to customer reviews, the JinJiao turns surprisingly well for a concave cube, as designs like this often suffer from a lot of catching. Once lubed, the feel becomes even smoother. The recesses in the faces don't get in the way of fingertricks, although it takes a little while to get used to the concave shape. The cube has no magnets. Some users magnetize it themselves to make turning more controlled.

Tension adjustment

Layer tension is set with adjustment screws, so you can tighten or loosen the cube to suit your turning style.

Who is it for?

This puzzle is aimed mainly at collectors and anyone who wants an unusual but well-performing 3x3 variant in their collection. It's not a cube for breaking records, as it can't compete with magnetic speedcubing cubes. It is, however, great for solving just for fun or as a gift for someone who already owns the classic models. It's solved exactly like a regular 3x3 cube, so knowing any method is enough.

Specifications

Manufacturer: YJ (YongJun)
Type: concave 3x3x3 cube, stickerless
Size: approx. 56 mm
Weight: approx. 68 g
Tension adjustment: adjustment screws
Release year: 2018

In the box you'll find:

1. the puzzle
2. solving instructions