Hi Cubers,
I used to play with a Rubik's cube many years ago as a kid. I remember back then, that the cube I played with had a satisfying, distinct, clicking sound on every turn.
Now, after many years, I've been drawn back to trying to solve a Rubik's cube... So I recently purchased an original Rubik's - but to my surprise, there isn't a clicking mechanism (i.e. to "lock" the turn in place). It now seems I have to perfectly align the sides as it's so smooth.
So I'm just wondering really, where can I find the cube with the clicking mechanism? I have searched online, but struggling to come across it.
Many thanks in advance.
So cool that you’re getting back into it!
The clicking mechanism is nice to have, but it makes most cubes slow and was only a thing because those cubes weren’t able to really function otherwise. Nowadays, to make up for that, the cubes are smooth, but the cubes have something called
corner cutting. Corner cutting is when you turn an opposite face of the cube when it isn’t perfectly aligned, using a bit of force to make it happen. Most cubes will corner cut at 45 degrees nowadays.
If you find cornercutting to be too jarring (and keep in mind, the mechanism I’m about to talk about is not to replace, but rather to aid corner cutting) you can get a magnetic Rubik’s Cube. These cubes have magnets in the pieces to help align the cube, similar to what you were talking about. I enjoy them and it makes it much easier to be consistent with your turning. I would recommend the
YJ Yulong V2 M or perhaps the
MF3RS3M if you’re not looking to spend too much. If you are willing to spend a bit more, the cubes will be somewhat more refined and have a particular feel that some people really like. (You should be able to find all manner of Rubik’s Cubes on
The Cubicle, they have a nice selection and very good service).
One last thing- in case you weren’t aware, Rubik’s Cubes made by Rubik’s are considered to be of poor quality. There are other companies that make straight up better cubes. If you want to get a Rubik’s Brand for nostalgia, go right ahead! But generally they are over priced and aren’t very good, making it a better idea to get one from another company (Moyu, Qiyi, Yuxin, or GAN) if you want to enjoy what you’re doing.
EDIT:
I forgot to mention that the clicking mechanism doesn’t really exist anymore, because it is directly inferior to what we use today. The magnets should help you, and I find them to be satisfying in much the same way, but if you like the clicking feel then you might want to go for a cube with particularly strong magnets.