Would reduction to a skewb work?

Not possible. It's a bit like trying to reduce a 3x3x3 to a 2x2x2.

I guess the easiest method would be solving it like a Face Turning Octahedron, and then solve the corners with a couple of algorithms.

No, that wouldn't work. A Master Skewb has only three layers so there's no way to use it like a normal Skewb.

Are you sure? I'm not, but it seems to me that if all the pieces in "A" below (every piece except the corners) were all matched on every face (as in 5x5 reduction), the puzzle could then be solved like a skewb by making only deepcut turns.

Once again, I'm not sure.
Never mind, I now see that there are no deepcut turns on this puzzle, BUT I think reduction could work for a next-level skewb, because it would have deep cuts. Would it? Is it possible to reduce a 4x4x4 to a 2x2x2? Please excuse my ignorance

There is.
The master skewb can be reduced to an offset skewb. simple.

I can not see how this would lead to a practible reduction method. On a Dino Skewb, though, reduction is quite feasible. (But that one has four layers.)
EDIT: As a sidenote: My custom Master Skewb had never had any "bubbling sticker" issues again. The Cubesmith tiles look still great. Just cutting them is the problem I'm looking forward to comparing it to the Lanlan version. I have preordered it a few days ago.

It can be done, but it is difficult. Some of us solve its dual puzzle, the Face Turning Octahedron, by reducing it to an Octaminx/Pyraminx: solve 4 non-adjacent faces, then pair the corners and triangles into the Pyraminx edges using (3,1) commutators shortened to 5 move sequences, then solve the Pyraminx by turning only the 4 non-adjacent faces that we solved first.

Reducing a Master Skewb to a Skewb is similar but trickier. First solve 4 "big" non-adjacent corners using similar techniques to solving the centers of higher face turning cubes. Then pair up the centers and squares similarly to the FTO to complete the Skewb centers, then finally solve the (Offset) Skewb by turning only the 4 "big" non-adjacent corners that we solved first. qqwref and I solved the Master Skewb in under 100 moves on Gelatinbrain using reduction. I find it a pretty confusing method, but it's a fun mind-warp when going for a low number of moves.

We have received a lot of order for the master skewb, thanks for your support.
The master skewb has been in stock today. And, we have already started to post your orders.
Tracking numbers have been sent to you by paypal email. To trace your cubes, please vist
http://app3.hongkongpost.com/CGI/mt/enquiry.jsp

I accept that you experts will reach a low move count using this method. Certainly, it is not a beginners method. That's why I believe that it has no practical meaning for most people.

i found myself at a point of pleasurable relaxation (no it's not dirty) when i saw this page
30 bucks for a master skewb?!? absolute insanity, i remember scott's going for a huge amount

(points for anyone who gets the reference)

Mine just arrived 20 minutes ago. Why didn't I post earlier?? Because I first had to sticker the dayan gem that came with it, than scramble it a first time (no jumbling moves) and solve first time.
But now concerning the master skewb: IT'S GREAT!!! When I toock it out of the box, I was surprised how small it was and when I measured the edgelength, I was surprised that it has the standard 57 mm. The cuts make it for some reason appear smaller than a normal 3x3x3 cube though. But maybe that's just my impression. Color sceme is just like a rubik's too, but that's no news since it can be seen from the pictures in this thread.
As far as turning is concerned, I am totally satisfied. I would say it's not exactly speed solvable out of the box, but it turns easily and without problems.
Anyway it was worth every cent to me I am happy now.

I know this is not what can be considered a real review and I don't have videos or pictures right now, but I just wanted to share my impressions on it so far.

I just got mine about an hour ago. It turns very good and I'm not at all disappointed

does it have the skewb clicky thing? (im addicted to the sound)

addicted to the sound? You are funny.
Uhm, no it doesn't have that. No ball bearings or anything. As a matter of fact it feels and sounds much like the FTO.

Ok, here is some additional info on the puzzle:
I just took it apart.
Really interesting. Obvious for those who design mechanism I guess:

There is a Dino cube inside. Not the actual cube obviously but the core is a white plastic thing that has the shape of about a rainbow cube. 8 axis of rotation. On that little white rainbow cube like core, there are the edgepieces of the Master Skewb. they are glued on, or attached in a similar way. I didn't take the core apart further. The point is, that when disassembled this much, the edgepieces can be solved like a dino cube. they turn in triples around a triangle. (But on the Master Skewb, I suppose solving them first this easy way is not the best way to solve the whole puzzle.)
The square pieces on the faces are anchored between them, the center pieces are anchored between those pieces, the corner pieces as well.

So this is not an extension of the skewb cube, where the corners are connected to the core or someting.

Also to my surprise: The corner pieces' feet aren't all that thin. They are thin but not thinner than a V-Cubes corner pieces' feet are.

Now on Lightake for a more affordable (?) price- $19
I'll definitely be tacking this on to my next lightake order.

Can someone give me, on the edges, the length of every segment of the edge (seperated into 3) I need to make extensions for mods!

- Greg

Woah! I'm definately gettiing a few of these for $19!

I'm not sure what each part is, but the entire edge length is 57mm.

There are so many cheap puzzles around at the moment that they add up to a high price and I have other stuff to pay for. I wish I had enough money to buy these puzzles...

Alex

I suppose you mean the full edge of the cube (not dimensions of the edgepieces)?
IF the cube is 57 mm (I can't measure 100% exactly due to fillets) than I would say corner: 13.5mm - edgepiece: 30mm - corner: 13.5mm
It might also be 14-29-14. The corners seem a bit more rounded outside than the edgepieces.

Can anyone confirm my numbers?

I am so totally excited to see what you are going to do, Greg!

got mine today! I must say that I am way satisfied with this puzzle! It wurns smoothly and even cuts corners a bit!

Looking at the corners, I think one could mod a FTO to one, cutting some of the center down and using bottom of mini skewb corners when building the master skewb corners.

This is one of my very favourite mass production puzzles no doubt!

Highly recommended!

And with the current coupon code (LIGHTAKENEWYEAR) it's down to $17.09!

I don't know why, but coupon code LIGHTAKENEWYEAR is not working for me.

Paulo

I think it was valid until Dec 31st Hong Kong time, the same happened yesterday nigth (Dec 30th in Spain but 31st in HK) to a Spanish friend.

Yes, I just thought it was valid until Dec 31st INCLUDED!

Paulo

It is valid including the 31st, I ordered from them no more than 3 hours ago using the coupon code an got the 10% discount. (it was 12.31.10.23:00 HK time.)

That is really strange...
I even sent an email to them (yesterday, Dec 30 in Brazil, probably already 31 there) stating that the code did not work for me, and they replied telling me that it was only valid until Dec 31, and thats why It did not work...

Paulo

it was most likely a bug at LT's site, as the same friend was able to use the same coupon a bit later. He also found this site, that may be interesting

http://www.retailmenot.com/view/lightake.com

wonderful cube. Already got one & trying hard to solve it right now......

I wonder why you guys don't post internal photos anymore. Too afraid to take your puzzles apart?
Oh well, leave it to Rox. Here you go.

Rox, thank you for the pictures! Did you take any where only a few pieces are missing, to show how it fits together?

No photos, but here is a scrambling and disassembly video instead

Thanks for showing us that!

Also, Is that a sliding pucks puzzle I see in the lower-right after you set the camera down?

As a special request I did a video on it yesterday. coming soon....

If you can solve a Skewb, you need two more permutations.
This photo shows my three custom Skewb brothers (Master Skewb, Dino Skewb, Compy Skewb) after a (3,1) commutator, which is essentially the same on all three ( a pure 3-cycle for the edges / corners):



"Hidden spoiler" below:
For the Master Skewb, you'll need to find something like this and in addition one more 3-cycle for permuting the "outer centres" on the Master Skewb.
Actually, I find the Dino Skewb a bit easier than the Master Skewb, my solutions for the two are quite similar.
The Dino Skewb allows an easy reduction method - you can make Dino edges and do the Dino solution as a last step - and that makes the setup moves trivial.
In my opinion, the Compy Skewb is quite a bit harder than the other two.
I think that my "hints" are vague enough that they do not spoil anything for anybody.
Therefore, this post is made here and not in the Solving subforum.

Something is wrong with those numbers!

Yesterday I arrived at my flat in the town where I study and compared the Master Skewb to a normal Rubik's 3x3x3 and a Skewb.
The Master Skewb is definetly a bit bigger. About 1mm I would say.
Since I know that the size of a normal 3x3x3 is 57mm, the Master Skewb must have a longer edge length.
However I measured again and it seems that my Skewb and my 3x3x3 appear to be only 56mm along an edge. Maybe it is due to tolerances. I measured an unused 3x3x3, so its not worn out or anything.
I would say If a 3x3x3 cube "is supposed to be" 57mm along an edge, go for 58 with the Master Skewb. (I just read 57mm everywhere I find the size information of the 3x3x3 cube, but have never noticed that I don't get that number.)

Again what I can say is this: I measure 57 for the Master Skewb but I also measure 56 for the 3x3x3. You should maybe not base some mods on my numbers.

Thank you! It showed exactly what I wanted to see.

Mine has arrived today. It is perfect
Turning is much, much better than that of my custom Master Skewb. (Sorry for the builder, but I have to be honest here. I have given both to my wife, telling her nothing about history and prices. Her verdict was clear and precise, that the new one is much, much better. )


This is one of the best mass-produced puzzles I have got recently - and at an affordable price.
And no bubbling stickers
I could be disappointed that a puzzle for which I have paid a little fortune (OK, a bit exaggerated) half a year ago, is now mass-produced. I'm not!
I'm really glad that it is now available to everybody who wants it.
I have even ordered a second one, because it is so inexpensive at Lightake.

Go and get it!!!

EDIT: The Lightake price has gone up by $ 7.90 since I have bought it.
My first is from hknowstore.

I'm getting these for my store, placing the order on Monday, I'm excited
So many good things said about this.

I can only agree on your point of view of the puzzle.
But as far as this part of your post is concerned I want to ask: Are you sure you did everything right? I mean just in case you had bought something like a "Do it yourself" version of the puzzle from the maker, you know you maybe needed to spend some time and love to "remove the flash" and "sand the
pieces" and stuff. I don't know if you did.
But all I can say about this beautiful custom puzzle you have there (I would have been quite jealous had I known you own one earlier ) is that I still more or less regularly whatch the video of it's higher order brother on youtube and there is no evidence to believe the turning is anything else but perfect on that one.... I'm just saying.
Please don't think I am offending you here. I was just wondering.

My puzzle has been finished by the builder. I can even not disassemble it. (I have asked the builder. He says it is not possible.) I do not say that the custom puzzle is bad. It is just true that the mass-produced one is turning much better. Nothing than the pure truth. I had an unbiased judge, my wife.I didn't mean to offend the builder either. I like my custom Master Skewb and have put a lot of effort into getting nice tiles for it. The original stickers bubbled terribly. This is quite normal for casted puzzles, especially for black ones, as I have learnt the hard way. I hope you are not familiar with this problem.

I know I'm a bit late to the party here, but I received mine from Lightake a few days ago and it is definitely my favorite mass produced puzzle so far! They did a great job with this one and it's good to see that much more complex mechanisms are being produced.

I also ordered a FTO at the same time, without realizing that they are basically the same puzzle. Doh!

FTO, Rex Cube and Master Skewb are relatives for sure. But the same puzzle ? In my view, they are no simple shape mods, but three different, nice puzzles in their own right.

They are very similar from a mechanical point of view, which I am most interested in. Of course they are both amazing puzzles.

A Rex Cube is just a shape mod of an FTO

Quite. And if you cut the centers on an FTO back, you can then put a piece in between those pieces, creating a Master Skewb Octahedron.

Yeah! Still, I would not see it as a simple shape mod. It is a nice puzzle on its own (do not argue with Drewseph about this )

Cool! I might get one!

Shape and sticker mod. The petal pieces on the Rex Cube form different interchangeable sets (12 sets of 2 pieces) than the FTO face pieces (8 sets of 3.) Also the centers on the Rex Cube are not oriented while the corners on the FTO are.

I think they're separate puzzles; I solve them completely differently, taking advantage of which pieces are interchangeable on each.