Store Bought
I've only got three store bought cubes:
- 25th Anniversary
- 2005 *favorite*
- Icon *IMO, the best (I'm contemplating changing the stickers to use it)*
None of them have ever popped. I've sanded them, filed them down, and sprayed them with CRC 808.
DIY
I've 2-3 of each of the following:
- White Chinese (a) OLD
- Black Chinese (a) OLD
- Rubik's DIY
I did manage to get the tension right on a Black Chinese (a) OLD cube so that it turns smoothly and doesn't pop but I can't cut corners with it.
My store bought cubes cut corners better than any of the DIYs I have when they both offer the same amount of security, regarding popping.
Admittedly, a DIY can cut corners more easily if the tension is looser but then you have to adjust your method of solving so that you're not so violent with your fingers to keep it from popping :-/
Which?
Store Bought:
- Turns Smoothly
- Rarely Pops
- Cuts Corners after working in
DIY (loose):
- Turns really smoothly
- Easily Pops
- Cuts Corners
DIY (tight):
- Turns smoothly
- Rarely Pops
- Not good at Cutting Corners
But you should try each out for yourself and figure out which one you prefer. Each to their own
Tim.