Hi Twisty Puzzles fans,

It looks like a Rubik's Cube and it turns like a Rubik's Cube, but what is it? Of course, it is a Rubik's Cube. HandiCube was suggested by Jens Renders. The regular Rubik's Cube is impractical to solve one-handed, as the solver would need to block two layers to make a slice move (middle-layer "M-turn"). This problem is solved in HandiCube by building the puzzles from a 2x2x2 cube, and having the edges and centers hang between the corners.

Please fill in the poll to indicate whether you think the HandiCube adds any value to the cubing community.

Watch the YouTube video.
Buy the puzzle at my Shapeways Shop.
Read more at the Shapeways Forum.
Read also at Speedsolving.
Check out the photos below.

Enjoy!

Oskar

I really like the idea !

I think if the top and bottom layers can also move smoothly then yes this would be a great design improvement!

It would be interesting to see the inside of the cube.

Hi Khaled,

Good to hear from you again.It is a matter of friction tuning. The turning of the top layer against the bottom layer should have more friction that the slice turn, otherwise you can't do those one-handed slice turns. I lubricated the centers and edges, but I did not lubricate the inner 2x2x2.The inside is a rather straightforward mechanism. It is a 2x2x2 inside (based again on a 3x3x3). Only the corners of that 2x2x2 stick out. Then 12 edge and 6 center pieces are hung between those corners.

Oskar

That's a great idear, (I had remarqued that with thw Witeden worm hole cube) but the problem is that by making the edge and centers float, you almost "block" the corner cutting.

It is a great idea, but the only problem is this: 170$ is a bit much for a one-handed speed cube!

Also, aside from certain algorithims, one-handed solvers would very rarely need to turn the m layer if they are using the freidch method. Now, with a 4x4, this would be very usefull!

Well, I am a speedcuber, and from my perspective, I think this idea is great! Though I can imagine some difficulties with the easiness of the middle slice turning, unless it could cut-corners. My other concern is that if this were to be mass produced, the outer layers would be difficult to turn, without lucricant of some sort, and the middle layer would slide along with it, causing mistakes while solving. I can see good things and bad things, but I like the idea a lot!

-Chris

I think this is a great idea but only if executed properly by whoever would mass produce it. What kind of sacrifices would be made with this in terms of corner cutting and speed? I guess that could only be determined by a mass produced version. Also, I don't see why it would be illegal in competition but I guess we would need an answer from an official. I would definitely buy one.
Edit: This is the same mechanism you used for your mixup cube, right?

As much as I think it is a cool idea, I don't think it's needed for speedsolving one handed. People who use the Roux method one handed use the table to act as their other hand. This is legal within competitions. As a result, I think the sacrifice of it being hard to cut corners and sometimes the other side may turn with the side you're trying to turn outweighs the benefits of being able to do slice moves easily.

This is cool. Now I wonder if we can make this implement this to the 4x4, 5x5 and etc?

So it's a non-Mixup Mixup Cube.

I like the idea, but I'm not sure whether or not it's good, simply because competitions disallow cubes that allow extra movement capabilities.

How about modding it to 44 cube? It just need edges and centers split!!

It is a great idea