YJ Magnetic Pocket mini IVY Cube (48mm)

YJ Magnetic Pocket mini IVY Cube (48mm)

YJ Magnetic Pocket mini IVY Cube is an Ivy Cube in a smaller Pocket version, with magnets and a stickerless bright colour scheme. At 48 mm, it is noticeably smaller than a standard Ivy and fits easily in a pocket or pencil case. YJ also makes this model without magnets. This description covers the magnetic version.

What is an Ivy Cube?

The Ivy looks like a cube, but it does not turn by faces like a classic 3x3 cube. Instead, it turns around the corners, similar to a Skewb. Its faces have distinctive leaf-shaped pieces. The Ivy is one of the simplest puzzles of this type and has only a few pieces, so you can solve it without learning long algorithms. At first, though, you need to get used to the diagonal turning, because it works differently from the layer turns you know from a 3x3. That makes it a good first shape mod or a nice change from regular cubes.

Magnets and turning

The magnets give each move a noticeable "click" and pull the corner into the right position. This makes it easier to land your turns, and the puzzle is less likely to get misaligned when you solve faster. If you time your Ivy solves, the magnetic version is more predictable than the non-magnetic one. Keep in mind, though, that this is a small puzzle. On smaller pieces, adult hands have less room than on a full-size puzzle.

Who is it for?

For anyone who wants to try something other than face-turning cubes and is looking for an inexpensive, simple introduction to corner-turning puzzles. The mini IVY also works well as a travel puzzle, a small gift or part of a YJ Pocket miniature collection. Ivy is not a WCA event, so it is more of a puzzle to solve for fun than training gear.

Specifications

• Type: Ivy Cube (corner-turning), mini Pocket version
• Manufacturer: YJ (YongJun)
• Magnetic: yes
• Size: 48 mm
• Weight: approx. 52 g
• Colour scheme: Stickerless Bright