American-made cubes?

[kcl]

Based on what you have said so far I would advise you to get a V-cube 5 or V-cube 7. The quality is very high and much better than the V-Cube 6. Some speedcubers will tell you they are rubbish but when compared to the thousands of other twisty puzzles in the world they would come very near the top.

That's because for speedcubing, they ARE.

 

[Tony Fisher]

That's because for speedcubing, they ARE.

He stated he wasn't planning to enter competitions so they are suitable for him and the millions of other people who just like to solve puzzles in their own time.

 

[PeelingStickers]

He stated he wasn't planning to enter competitions so they are suitable for him and the millions of other people who just like to solve puzzles in their own time.

except for the fact that they cost more. But oh well, that's your opinion.

 

[Chree]

He (she?) is new to cubing in general, and doesn't need the best speedcubes available.

The V3 is a good cube when compared to a Rubik's brand. And the price is pretty comparable these days. Obviously they don't compare with the speed and affordability of later speedcubes, but for a beginner who's not super serious about being fast, not an issue.

That said, my two cents would be... don't worry about it. If this is a matter of principle, there is no need to conflate Shengshou, Dayan or Moyu with companies that are highly disreputable like [insert name of that company that makes iPhones here]. As Tony stated before... many people from the community can vouch for these companies and that the working conditions are fine. Just because they're in China doesn't mean they're exploiting cheap labor. If anything, we should support the companies that do good work and treat their employees well, regardless of nationality, especially if they are producing something you love and want to see flourish!

As to the original question: are there American made speed cubes? Probably. And they're probably terrible.

 

[goodatthis]

In all seriousness though, towards the OP, Greece has a terrible economy, so you probably don't want to stimulate their economy either. And there's honestly not anything wrong with buying things from China. Especially with a 10 dollar speedcube, China is such a widespread seller of cubes that it's stupid to make a decision like that.

Just buy from Moyu or Dayan. And if if makes you feel better, you could buy from an American website.

And if your 'Murican pride is hurt by having a Chinese cube, peel the logo off!

Actually, I'm thinking about designing and 3D printing a cube for my tech class, I could make 2 and sell you the other for like 15 bucks and it will be completely 100% American!

 

[Stewy]

That is why I'm fine buying from V-cube. Even though it's not the U.S. I can still be sure that the labor practices are a bit better.

but how are you 100% sure that their plant in Greece isn't using cheap labour? for all you know v-cubes are made in sweatshops in greece while dayan, shengshou, etc cubes are made by well-paid workers on a production line in great working conditions. unless you fly out and inspect the plants yourself you'll never be sure. people hear the words "made in china" and instantly jump to conclusions.

 

[Tahrbo]

OP, you just touched upon this in your last post, but I'd like to address it in detail.

Yes, you are in fact being more principled than is really necessary.

The fight that you would make in paying more attention to your clothes, dishes, and many other items in your life (as far as items that need regular replacement, your clothes would be more than enough) and making sure that they aren't made in sweatshops would yield significantly better results than the fight to buy speedcubes that aren't made in countries that are presumed to operate a high percentage of sweatshops.

Making sure that your speedcubes aren't "sweatshopped" just isn't a battle that is worth it, in terms of the difference in quality (between sweatshopped cubes and those made anywhere that chopsticks aren't de rigeur), and the difference in cost.

By comparison, clothing made pretty much anywhere can be compared to clothing made pretty much anywhere else (aside from high-end junk and blah ****ing blah) so putting your dollars towards fair labor practices re: clothing makes a much bigger difference, both to the financial support you give to fair labor companies (and the dollars you're not putting toward sweatshops), as well as the awareness you're spreading among your friends, family, and peers. When you spread the word about fairly manufactured clothing, those around you take note. You're spreading mindshare, and you're letting people know about clothes (or whatever else).

No one's going to give a damn if you only buy non-Chinese (I'm just singling out China for simplicity) speedcubes. A single "lost" purchase of maybe $20 isn't going to hurt Moyu or Dayan. Buying 5 shirts a year from a good company WILL be noticed, as it helps the company you support and hurts the evil company you ignore.

There is another point here that I'm re-emphasizing that makes all of this ******** kind of moot anyway:
We have no concrete proof that Moyu/Dayan/etc ARE in fact operating a sweatshop. We have no proof that V-Cube DOESN'T in fact have Eponine and her 25 sisters/cousins chained to a wall along with an iPod set to infinite repeat "We Built This City" playing in the background.

Yes, Greece is less known for labor abuse. Yes, China has done ****-all towards dispelling the perception that they do nothing but exploit workers. But we simply don't know in the case of speedcubes which is true and which isn't, aside from going there in person. And the end game difference is maybe $20 at best. How much does a pair of pants that you buy cost, or your belt or shoes? A speedcube can last years, how often do you buy new clothes? THOSE are the companies that will feel the hit.

I highly recommend that as far as speedcubes are concerned, you let it go and just buy a good one from Moyu or Dayan. Just give up this fight, the victory isn't worth it, and set your mind (which is already admirably aware of the main issue at hand) towards other products that are much more salient towards your argument.

 

[DeeDubb]

I'm fine with you taking your stand, but here's my two cents:

If there was an American company that even made COMPETENT Rubik's Cubes, I would gladly pay a few dollars more to support our country. However, the fact is, there's just NOTHING in the US that is even close to resembling a speed cube. Essentially, speed cubes are Chinese innovation. Chinese cubes are not knock-offs, they are the standard.

If I were you, I would buy from an American retailer rather than lightake or hknowstore, that way some of your money goes into the pockets of Americans and stimulates our economy.

 

[Tony Fisher]

except for the fact that they cost more. But oh well, that's your opinion.

Cost more than which non Chinese equivalent? Sorry I don't understand.

Chinese cubes are not knock-offs,

Wow, where have you been for the last 5 years? Many most certainly are.

but how are you 100% sure that their plant in Greece isn't using cheap labour? for all you know v-cubes are made in sweatshops in greece while dayan, shengshou, etc cubes are made by well-paid workers on a production line in great working conditions. unless you fly out and inspect the plants yourself you'll never be sure. people hear the words "made in china" and instantly jump to conclusions.

You can't be certain. However I had talks with V-Cubes several years ago. They were considering using Chinese factories and toured some. They were not very happy with what they saw. To be honest I think it was mostly because they saw KO puzzles being produced alongside reputable ones but also the general working conditions were not good. These two reasons are why they stayed in Greece and suggests working conditions are better there. The production of the V-Cube 8 in China suggests that things are now better but I am guessing not perfect.

 

[FailCuber]

Wow, where have you been for the last 5 years? Many most certainly are.
.

You think ZhanChi, Weilong are knockoffs? I don't see how it's a knockoffs.

by the way i am a fan of your videos

 

[guysensei1]

You think ZhanChi, Weilong are knockoffs? I don't see how it's a knockoffs.

by the way i am a fan of your videos

He said most, not all.

Ahem, shengshou

 

[DeeDubb]

Wow, where have you been for the last 5 years? Many most certainly are.

Many cubes are, sure. But knockoff generally implies inferiority to the original. Chinese cubes are the standard. Even ones that are considered to be infringing on copyrights, such as SS big cubes, are far superior to the cubes they are "knocking off".

 

[guysensei1]

Many cubes are, sure. But knockoff generally implies inferiority to the original. Chinese cubes are the standard. Even ones that are considered to be infringing on copyrights, such as SS big cubes, are far superior to the cubes they are "knocking off".

The dictionary defines it as ' a copy or imitation of someone or something popular'. No mention of inferiority.

 

[DeeDubb]

The dictionary defines it as ' a copy or imitation of someone or something popular'. No mention of inferiority.

Popular usage is a powerful thing... often more powerful than dictionary definitions. It's why I used "implies" rather than "is defined as."

Anyway, I'll clarify my original post by saying, not ALL Chinese cubes are knockoffs in any sense of the word. Dayan and Moyu both create their own designs which do not infringe on copyrights, and they are the standard for cubes these days

 

[10461394944000]

@op: you should stop caring about not buying stuff from china and buy shengshou everything because they are cheap and good.

 

[kcl]

Cost more than which non Chinese equivalent? Sorry I don't understand.


Wow, where have you been for the last 5 years? Many most certainly are.


You can't be certain. However I had talks with V-Cubes several years ago. They were considering using Chinese factories and toured some. They were not very happy with what they saw. To be honest I think it was mostly because they saw KO puzzles being produced alongside reputable ones but also the general working conditions were not good. These two reasons are why they stayed in Greece and suggests working conditions are better there. The production of the V-Cube 8 in China suggests that things are now better but I am guessing not perfect.

1. He wasn't talking about a non Chinese equivalent. He meant it's a lot more expensive than buying a well designed high quality puzzle that happens to be from china.


2.Name a cube that ACTUALLY looks like a knockoff that has been designed in the past 2 years. Most of it is v cube trying to raise hell in order to get some money and eliminate competition.


3. It sounds like you hit your own point here. We don't have any proof of working conditions in china OR Greece. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a little temper tantrum over seeing awesome "knockoff" cubes, and decided to stay in Greece.

 

[DeeDubb]

I really like CBC's documentary about V-Cube knockoffs complaints... I don't know if it's 100% accurate, but it gives a pretty good view and pretty unbiased.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW0trFa5t5I

of course, most of you have probably seen it already.

 

[Michael Womack]

There some US made cubes if you ask around and see if someone here in the US is selling some modded cubes but those ones will be hand made. Ya as of what most of the thread said that 99% of the cubes come from china except for V-cubes.

 

[SpeedCubeReview]

OP, you just touched upon this in your last post, but I'd like to address it in detail.

Yes, you are in fact being more principled than is really necessary.

The fight that you would make in paying more attention to your clothes, dishes, and many other items in your life (as far as items that need regular replacement, your clothes would be more than enough) and making sure that they aren't made in sweatshops would yield significantly better results than the fight to buy speedcubes that aren't made in countries that are presumed to operate a high percentage of sweatshops.

Making sure that your speedcubes aren't "sweatshopped" just isn't a battle that is worth it, in terms of the difference in quality (between sweatshopped cubes and those made anywhere that chopsticks aren't de rigeur), and the difference in cost.

By comparison, clothing made pretty much anywhere can be compared to clothing made pretty much anywhere else (aside from high-end junk and blah ****ing blah) so putting your dollars towards fair labor practices re: clothing makes a much bigger difference, both to the financial support you give to fair labor companies (and the dollars you're not putting toward sweatshops), as well as the awareness you're spreading among your friends, family, and peers. When you spread the word about fairly manufactured clothing, those around you take note. You're spreading mindshare, and you're letting people know about clothes (or whatever else).

No one's going to give a damn if you only buy non-Chinese (I'm just singling out China for simplicity) speedcubes. A single "lost" purchase of maybe $20 isn't going to hurt Moyu or Dayan. Buying 5 shirts a year from a good company WILL be noticed, as it helps the company you support and hurts the evil company you ignore.

There is another point here that I'm re-emphasizing that makes all of this ******** kind of moot anyway:
We have no concrete proof that Moyu/Dayan/etc ARE in fact operating a sweatshop. We have no proof that V-Cube DOESN'T in fact have Eponine and her 25 sisters/cousins chained to a wall along with an iPod set to infinite repeat "We Built This City" playing in the background.

Yes, Greece is less known for labor abuse. Yes, China has done ****-all towards dispelling the perception that they do nothing but exploit workers. But we simply don't know in the case of speedcubes which is true and which isn't, aside from going there in person. And the end game difference is maybe $20 at best. How much does a pair of pants that you buy cost, or your belt or shoes? A speedcube can last years, how often do you buy new clothes? THOSE are the companies that will feel the hit.

I highly recommend that as far as speedcubes are concerned, you let it go and just buy a good one from Moyu or Dayan. Just give up this fight, the victory isn't worth it, and set your mind (which is already admirably aware of the main issue at hand) towards other products that are much more salient towards your argument.

Thank you for this very detailed post. I agree with what you are saying. I'm becoming more hooked each day and after about a week with a cube I'm picking up speed. I have a Rubiks speed cube coming in the mail (I know it's not the best and I cannot find where it's built but I like the times and the way it looks), but I'll probably break and get one of the popular speed cubes in the end.
Thank you for everyone's input. It has been very helpful.

 

[Tony Fisher]

1. He wasn't talking about a non Chinese equivalent. He meant it's a lot more expensive than buying a well designed high quality puzzle that happens to be from china.
2.Name a cube that ACTUALLY looks like a knockoff that has been designed in the past 2 years. Most of it is v cube trying to raise hell in order to get some money and eliminate competition.
3. It sounds like you hit your own point here. We don't have any proof of working conditions in china OR Greece. I wouldn't be surprised if they had a little temper tantrum over seeing awesome "knockoff" cubes, and decided to stay in Greece.

1. I know, I was being facetious. When someone states they don't want to buy Chinese products, what's the point of people keep saying buy Chinese products?
2. All I said was that some most certainly are knock-off. None of us know the true number though because we are not lawyers with full access to all facts, agreements, disputes etc.
3. Mmm, temper tantrum because someone is ripping them off. How terribly unreasonable of them. I bet they are the kind of people who complain when the get burgled too.