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149 of 155 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
stickers easy to replace, range of quality with all similar cubes, March 19, 2007
This review is from: Rubik's Cube Brain Teaser Puzzle with Helpful Hints (Toy)
I'm an avid cuber, can easily solve it in under 30 seconds, and have been cubing since 1981, so I know what I'm talking about here, and wanted to respond to a couple of the comments.
First, the stickers. ALL the currently mass-produced cubes have stickers of the same very low quality. With even moderate use, these stickers will start to peel, usually starting with orange. The stickers are very easy to replace, and replacement stickers that are high quality and don't peel are widely available at a cost of about a buck for a complete set. For a casual cuber, just replacing the stickers once with high quality stickers should turn this into a very durable toy.
Where to get replacement stickers? The official page for Rubik's has replacement stickers that are low quality and what they call "PVC stickers" which are much better quality ($5 for 3 sets), and cubesmith, which only stocks the high quality non-peeling variety for $1.25 per complete set.
Second, with respect to the ease of turning, there is (unfortunately) a wide range of quality for these mass produced cubes when you first pull them out of the box. Many turn very smoothly right out of the box, but some are extremely stiff. ALL of them, however, will break in eventually and will get better with even a little bit of use, and (except for the stickers) Rubik's cubes almost never wear out (I still have the first one I bought in 1981). That makes this an incredible deal!
There is no way to tell the smooth cubes without opening the package and trying them out. Still, nearly any of these mass produced cubes that carry the official Rubik's logo will be good enough for the casual user. Knock-off cubes that you see from time to time are generally absolutely terrible when it comes to turning smoothly and wearing out quickly.
If you do get a cube that is stiff, keep playing with it and it will loosen up as it breaks in. It is also very helpful to spray a little lubricant into the cracks (a pure silicon based lubricant works best though even WD40 works in a pinch and should be more than adequate for a casual cuber).
Bottom line, the Rubik's Cube is an incredible puzzle--easily one of the most widely recognized objects around the world, and offers hours of enjoyment for about $10 or less. You can take it anywhere. Having one on your desk or playing with one in public is almost guaranteed to start a conversation. It's an icon of the 80s, but has had a huge resurgence in this decade. Also, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to solve it, and there are plenty of helpful websites for beginners who get stuck.
This cube is a good option for a beginner or casual cuber, but if you evolve into a serious cuber, there are better (and more expensive) options out there.
I hope this is helpful. Happy Cubing!
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159 of 176 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Squeaky and Peely, February 7, 2007
This review is from: Rubik's Cube Brain Teaser Puzzle with Helpful Hints (Toy)
I was playing with Rubik's cube the last time it was hot in the 80's, and I just recently bought a few of these. The first two I bought in a store was made by Winning Moves which work the way I remember the cube to be in the old days. Then I decided I want one in my office and order this one through Amazon because it offers free shipping for Prime Members.
This cube was bad right out of the package, and within three days of moderate use, the clear color stickers started peeling off the white background stickers on many of the faces. This cube is also very loud, sometime squeaky, and often get stuck when used in medium or high speed. There is a HUGE difference between this and the Winning Moves one.
I guarantee I have nothing to do with the Winning Moves company, and this is actually the first time I have disliked a product enough to write a review on Amazon. But there is no excuse for a bad version of a product that has been around for 30 years! Don't buy this version.
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46 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Stickers Will Not Last Five Days, February 7, 2007
This review is from: Rubik's Cube Brain Teaser Puzzle with Helpful Hints (Toy)
Got it yesterday and already the stickers are wearing off. The durability of this thing is junk. I read an online tip that said, "Coat the edges of the stickers with clear flat (non-shiny) nail polish to prevent peeling." I'll try that now.
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