…a never ending story
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Face (Gesicht) by Roger has been updated today. Thank you M.Roberts for the wake-up call (mail) 
I did take a vacation (only one week though). Don’t expect miracles, but I intend to start updating this site a liiitle more frequently then the last months.
I still haven’t ordered the T5 lock, my emergency vacation to Scotland used up most of my spending money, since I also collect (and drink) whisky.
Hi, It’s been a good while since my last update here, it’s been crazy busy at work for quite some time now.
Though several updates are on it’s way, so this post is basically a post letting you know that I’m still alive and updates will come soon
Edit:
It has taken waaay longer then I thought to get back on track. An update might not be immediate, but will happen hopefully sooner then later.
There is so much else going on right now that has me focused on other things at the moment, and then there is the financial aspect also =)
Though I have a good number of puzzles that I have yet to write about, financial strain makes it painful to watch and keep updated on all the goodies out there. So personally I imitate the Ostrich, by sticking my head in the sand for a while. =P
To make things worse, a particular puzzle I have been waiting for has recently surfaced, and I didn’t manage to dodge it.
So I promise that when I’m able to purchase this lock, I will get back on writing while I wait for it to arrive.
This is starting to sound like one big sob story, so just to make things clear… I’m in good health, have a job etc. It’s just that a lot of bills has come in the last months, the car needed some big repairs and I’m knee deep in work load. The only thing I would need is a good long vacation… work & puzzle wise =)
Craftsman: Eric Fuller
Designer: Alfons Eyckmans
Packing or interlock puzzle? This is how Eric describes it:
This put together puzzle blurs the line between packing and interlocking puzzles. With a level 4.4.17 solution
Great looking “Lolly box”, kinda begs you to pick it up and start fiddling with it. I had no problem getting the first two lollies out, the second two took me a while longer.
When I got them all out it dawned on me… I have a major malfunction! My brain won’t comprehend the fact I’m too eager to get my hands on the lollies that I don’t care about the fact that they aren’t supposed to be eaten, but actually supposed to go back in the box!? Aaargh!
I first discovered I had this disease when I got my Cartesian wallet, but I don’t seem to be able to remember that I have this “condition”.
Anyhow… not paying attention to disassembly of this puzzle might not kill you, but it will make a few hairs on your head turn a few shades closer to gray.
If there is something I have learned from solving puzzles, it’s p a t i e n c e, I thought I had plenty of it before, but now I’m: Yoda meets Mother Teresa in a body of Buddha who ate Gandhi
Tags: Packing puzzle, Wood
Craftsman: Eureka
Designer: Marcel Gillen
Long overdue post but here it is 1 month late =)
The same size as the King but with a slightly different solution. The Queen also harbors a secret, and in this case… a girls best friend.
King And Queen
Tags: Metal puzzle, Opening puzzle
Craftsman: Eureka
Designer: Marcel Gillen
Long overdue post but here it is 1 month late =)
Designed by Marcel Gillen in 2002 and reproduced by Eureka.
A fairly large piece about 15cm (~6 inches) tall. Not a very difficult puzzle but different.
All Kings has a Queen by their side, and she is a wee bit more difficult to find, but available here.
Can you find the hidden coin?
Tags: Metal puzzle, Opening puzzle
Craftsman: -
Designer: Chris Pitt
Long overdue post but here it is 1 month late =)
This is a HARD puzzle!
I have been working on it on and off and there are some devious tricks in this puppy. Still unsolved, but will hopefully have cracked it before the gold comes out.
Read my blue RevoMaze review for more info on this great puzzle.
Tags: Maze puzzle, Metal puzzle, Revomaze
Tetrahedron
Craftsman: Vaclav Obsivac
Designer: Vaclav Obsivac
Another one from Vinco’s new batch. It’s quite tricky to see any seems in this puzzle, and quite hard to feel them too. I got really confused even on to where to start on this one because there is no way of getting any kind of grip.
Tags: Interlock, Take apart, Vinco, Wood
Dual Tetrahedron
Craftsman: Vaclav Obsivac
Designer: Vaclav Obsivac
This is one of Vinco’s new designs. Even though I’m starting to get a pretty good feel for his puzzles, I ran into some problems getting this puppy open. =)
Tags: Interlock, Take apart, Vinco, Wood
Crossbox
Craftsman: Vaclav Obsivac
Designer: Vaclav Obsivac
Sat down in my sofa and started to fiddle with this one while I was glancing at the Tv, didn’t really get anywhere, but I kept going and then all of a sudden it open! Spooked me quite a bit, because all of a sudden I had this thing that was semi-open and quite a lot bigger then I started =)
Also requires a little “multi-fingery-movement” and shares characteristics with Flattrick and Explosion Cube, but has it’s very own “take” on it.
About the same size as Flattrick and displays very nicely.
(Had some problems taking pictures of this one, the picture makes it look a bit crocked and rough, but it’s the exact opposite… straight and smooth)
Tags: Interlock, Take apart, Vinco, Wood
Cube Vinco
Craftsman: Vaclav Obsivac
Designer: Vaclav Obsivac
Christmas present from Vinco. Clever little puzzle, stuns you a bit when it won’t move the way you would expect. Perfect puzzle to annoy friends and families that aren’t too familiar with this kind of puzzle.
Perfect fit, just snug enough. I actually thought this was a 2 piece puzzle once I disassembled it, but when I played with it a bit more discovered it’s a 4 piece! =P
I have encountered wood puzzles where the pieces has been slightly stuck together, due to the lacquer holding some pieces together at first, and becomes loose once “dislodged”. But that’s not the case here!
Really fun to play with!
Tags: Take apart, Vinco, Wood
Face-(Gesicht)-by-Roger
Craftsman: Roger
Designer: Roger
Update Aug 19 2010
Thanks to Wil Strijbos I now know the goal of this puzzle!
The goal is frankly quite simple, however getting there is not =)Goal: Getting the ball from one eye to the other…and back again.
When I first started to fiddle around with this puzzle, the ball was in it’s left socket, and getting it to the right was no problem. The tricky part is getting it back to the left one. There are basically two obstacles to overcome to get the ball to the left eye, and I’m still stuck at the last one. I don’t know if I’m to tired or what, but I might need some assistance on the last hurdle.
This Roger puzzle has me really puzzled! I have no idea what the goal is here… You have this aluminum block which makes out a face (gesicht), and several square holes on it’s sides. There is one metal ball inside, and you have a “stick” ? with rounded edges (one bigger then the other). It seems like the goal of this would be to get the ball out of one of the eyes. All other holes are too small to get the ball out.
There are paths within which directly connects to the holes, and the only obstruction is a couple of “compressed” pieces if foam. (It’s really hard to explain but I will put up more pictures soon) You can poke the ball past each piece of foam with some force. (There is no damage to the puzzle, foam nor ball by doing this). So if the goal is to get the ball out through the eye it’s easy as pie!?
And why does the sticks ends has different sizes? There got to be more to this puzzle then meets the eye!
If you can confirm or dismiss my theory on the goal on this puzzle please contact me and let me know.
Here are 3 pictures of the foam, excuses the poor color balance.
Tags: Metal puzzle, Rare, Roger
Kuku from Sonicwarp has been updated with confirmation about making a medium version to a hard.
Craftsman: -
Designer: Sonicwarp
There were a lot of discussion about this new puzzle from sonicwarp in different forums.
The guys at the forum hadn’t solved it right away (or at least didn’t announce it before I ordered one), so it couldn’t be too easy anyway, so I figured why not give this one a try.
It’s priced a lot less then their regular range (Isis & Ramisis) so I got one from Puzzle Box Direct .
It arrived today so I was keen on getting my hands on it. Apparently getting it out of the box was accordingly to sonicwarp supposed to be a small puzzle itself. Its Not =)
The acrylic box is only held together with 2 x 4 magnets. Strong ones but…
One of the first thing that is going to hit you is the size. It’s about 4cm / 1.6 inches in diameter. In the comparison picture below you can see some references:
1 Euro, a Canadian “twoonie” (2CAD) and a Casino chip sitting on a dollar bill.
I had no problem solving this one, it took only a few minutes actually. Not because I’m all that smart, rather some dumb luck was involved. Even though, I solved it and could take a good look at the internals, it ain’t breeze to repeat the feat.
Kuku size reference
Apparently there seems to exists two versions of the Kuku. Medium and Hard, and unless you ask for the hard one they will ship the medium. (I didn’t know this before I had ordered mine) As far as I know there is no way of telling the two apart on the outside.
This is not something I have verified so if you got more details regarding this please let me know.
However once you have opened your kuku there are tells, that indicate that it can be made harder.
The Kuku itself is made of brushed aluminum and displays very nicely in it’s acrylic case.
As far as value for money I’m a bit torn, since the initial playtime was kind of short… though there is replay value and (maybe) the possibility to modify the difficulty once you open it. However if you are good at decrypting you could easily get your moneys worth IF you manage to solve the vault game that the token inside the kuku gives you access to. Demo of the vault game can be found here.
Edit: I have confirmed that it’s possible to make a medium puzzle into a hard one. The reason why they shipped “mediums” was because they didn’t want to make the initial kuku deliveries impossible to solve. I haven’t tried the “upgrade” yet, but it’s supposed to be much harder then the regular/medium. I know that some pretty good puzzlers out there has been stuck on their hard version for over an week now.
So I’m toning down my conclusion a bit. =) Will update you on how the hard works out for me once I get started.
Conclusion: Get the hard version and nothing else if you are an experienced puzzler.
This isn’t really a spoiler but people who experienced the ISIS range of Sonicwarps puzzles might get the wrong idea from the text below.
A word of caution: Make sure you don’t sit in the middle if the dessert when you do open it. Chances are that you will be looking for a needle in a haystack soon. It’s not that bad, but just be careful when you open it as some small items may come out.
Tags: Metal puzzle, Opening puzzle, Sonicwarp
Propeller by Roger has been updated, I managed to (kind of) solve it.
Garden-Hose-(Gartenschlauch)-by-Roger
Craftsman: Roger
Designer: Roger
Here is another one of “Roger’s” contraptions, about the same size as the plug (stecker). It also shares a few other elements with stecker other then it’s size. It has a real piece of gardenhose attached and no visible clue how to solve it.
The nozzle is made from two solid pieces of aluminum, of which the front can be rotated. The second piece of the nozzle has a small ball bearing on top of it. One would expect it to be spring loaded, but it want move.
CloseUp Nozzle
The front of the nozzle has a hole where one can see a part of something that looks like the business end of a bolt.
CloseUp Nozzle2
My guess on the goal here is that the front nozzle should be detached.
Tags: Metal puzzle, Opening puzzle, Rare, Roger
There seems to have been some issues regarding the mail setup.
If you have e-mailed me, either via the form or e-mail and not received a reply, please leave a comment here and let me know.
Edit: Problem solved, and everything is back to normal
My apologies for this.
Flattrick by Vaclav Obsivac (aka Vinco)
Craftsman: Vaclav Obsivac
Designer: Vaclav Obsivac
Almost Open
Peter Wiltshire gave me the heads up on this one.
In a comment regarding one of Vinco’s other puzzles Cubicula I had mentioned that I thought Explosion cube from vinco was the best “Vinco” I had up to that time.
So Peter said that one of his favourite puzzles in his collection was Flattrick, and that it is…
“…somewhat like “Explosion Cube” but it’s movement is a little more interesting.”
So how could I pass on that?
And guess what?… He was right, this is an excellent puzzle that not only displays really nicely, has a good size to it and requires some “multi-touch-fingery-movement” (yes that is a brand new word)
Thanks again Peter for this tip!
Tags: Cube, Take apart, Vinco, Wood
Plug (Stecker) by Roger has been updated, with pictures and a possible goal of the puzzle
Blindlabyrint 1C by Lauri Kaira
Craftsman: -
Designer: Lauri Kaira
Found here: Oy Sloyd Ab
The grandfather of RevoMaze!? =)
This labyrinth puzzle intrigued me quite a bit when I saw it. Because it was so similar to the RevoMaze that I’m quite fond of.
All in all only 2000 copies were made, of which most was sold in 1984
This is 1C, is the hardest one of “Blindlabyrint”
Box front
Transcript of the block of text in Swedish of the front follows:
(It’s exactly the same as the English version on the back)
Blindlabyrint är ett nytt problemspel för gamla och unga. Spelaren söker med den lilla vandraren (tapp) den rätta vägen genom labyrinten till den innersta cirkelformiga gången och tillbaka. Detta problem löses endast med känselsinne. Det här spelet hör till svårighetsgraden A, B eller C, av vilka graden C är den svåraste.
Box back
Transcript of the part in English of the back of the box follows:
Blindlabyrinth is a new problemgame for old and young. Player searches with the little wanderer (pin) a path through the labyrinth to the inner ringshaped passage and back. This problem can be solved only with the sense of touch. The game is classified in grades A, B and C of which the grade C is most difficult.
Blindlabyrint 1C by Lauri Kaira Standing
You probably can’t tell by the pictures, but the entire puzzle (maze & sleeve) is made from lightweight metal, probably aluminum. The pin (which is not spring loaded) seems to be made from steel though.
The fit is perfect, but since the pin is not spring loaded and the maze corners are very sharp, makes it a bit tricky to navigate.
Tags: Maze puzzle, Metal puzzle, Rare
Finally managed to get the image functions I wanted sorted out.
You will see more pictures of each puzzle from now on.
Plug-(Stecker)-by-Roger
Craftsman: Roger
Designer: Roger
This one of my recently acquired “Roger” puzzle. This thing is big 26cm / 10 inches long, (about the same size of the Garden Hose (Gartenschlauch) more on that in a later post) It would actually fit in a regular industrial socket of some sort. The wires at the back is the real thing to. One possible solution (last resort) to this puzzle would be to plug it in. (Joke! please do not kill yourself hahaha).
CloseUp Plug
The goal of this puzzle is at the moment unknown (for me), as with all of Roger’s puzzles they come with no instructions, and hence a part of the puzzle is to figure out the goal.
I do believe that goal is tho remove one of the copper connectors, since one can be turned fairly freely, while the other do not (probably held by one of two screws).
The plug itself is a solid metal block with only two screws in it.
CloseUp Plug2
The wires at the end can be removed, while the red protective sleeve can not. I have found that there seems to be some mechanism, one can “tinger” with, at the base inside the sleeve (did that make any sense?) using one (or more) of the of the cords.
CloseUp Cord
It’s my understanding that this and the “garden hose” are one of the most difficult ones.
A quite extensive catalog of Roger puzzles can be found at Rob’s Puzzle Page.
Tags: Metal puzzle, Rare, Roger
I’m moving my collecting blog to this location from http://mechanicalpuzzle.blogspot.com/
All post and comments from blogger has been moved.
There might be some small hickups in the beginning with the theme and images, but should be sorted soon.
Trick-de-Luxe-II-by-Wil-Strijbos
Craftsman: Wil Strijbos
Designer: Wil Strijbos
The weekend was hectic, so I didn’t have the time to sit down with my puzzles.
So in the meantime, here comes a small post about my second bolt from Wil.
As far as I understand this is Trick de Luxe II crafted and designed by Wil Strijbos.
If this is wrong in any way or you have more information about Wil’s bolts ie. how to tell them apart, please leave a comment.
It’s very similar to “Trick de Luxe I” with a few exceptions:
This one has a ring around the head of the bolt & the pin that goes (through?) the nut is not hollow.
The head on this bolt has the following written on it: ╘╒ 8.8 any explanation to what these markings means are appreciated.
This is also a behemoth of a bolt… 8cm (3.15 inches) in length. Are all of Wil’s bolts made for caterpillars?
Update: I got a great explanation from Rudolf O. Roffel regarding the numbers on the bolts
These numbers refer to the strenght of the steel of which the bolt is made.
The range is 3.6, 4.6, 5.6, 5.8, 6.8, 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9 of which the last one is the strongest.
The number before the . is 1% of the bracking strenght in Newton per square mm of material.
The other number behind the . refers to the correspondence of the first number and the point of wich the bolt starts to disform before braking.
12.9 is a rare and expensive one, 3.6 bolts are made from the leftovers of the mill.
It might be that Wil has used these numbers in his puzzle, but these bolts and nuts are always marked with these numbers, expets for the very cheap ones, wich are made from the leftovers from the leftovers
Tags: Nut / Bolt Puzzle, Trick de luxe, Trickbolt, Wil Strijbos
Trick-de-Luxe-by-Wil-Strijbos
Craftsman: Wil Strijbos
Designer: Wil Strijbos
I managed to track down two bolts of Wil and this is one of them.
As far as I understand this is “Trick de Luxe I” crafted and designed by Wil Strijbos.
If this is wrong in any way or you have more information about Wil’s bolts ie. how to tell them apart, please leave a comment.
This bolt has the following written on it’s “head”: S B E 6.8
(I think it was 6.8 and not 8.8 I don’t have the bolt here right now)
any explanation to what these markings means are appreciated.
I have not started to work on this one just yet. Will update this post after the weekend.
This a behemoth of a bolt… 8cm (3.15 inches) in length.
Update: I got a great explanation from Rudolf O. Roffel regarding the numbers on the bolts
These numbers refer to the strenght of the steel of which the bolt is made.
The range is 3.6, 4.6, 5.6, 5.8, 6.8, 8.8, 10.9 and 12.9 of which the last one is the strongest.
The number before the . is 1% of the bracking strenght in Newton per square mm of material.
The other number behind the . refers to the correspondence of the first number and the point of wich the bolt starts to disform before braking.
12.9 is a rare and expensive one, 3.6 bolts are made from the leftovers of the mill.
It might be that Wil has used these numbers in his puzzle, but these bolts and nuts are always marked with these numbers, expets for the very cheap ones, wich are made from the leftovers from the leftovers
Tags: Nut / Bolt Puzzle, Trick de luxe, Trickbolt, Wil Strijbos
Alcyl by Hirokazu Iwasawa
Designer: Hirokazu Iwasawa
Found at: Eureka
I have not been able to open this one yet. One can hear that there is something loose inside (like a nut), and it moves almost completely free with a few exceptions. There are no direct indications on where this puzzle should open.
More info can be found on Jeff’s blog
Tags: Hirokazu Iwasawa, Opening puzzle
Lighthouse-by-Eureka
Found at: Eureka
Hoffman
A clever little puzzle, quite easy but mainly due to some quality issues.
Tags: bits and pieces, Discovery puzzle, Eureka, Metal puzzle, Opening puzzle
Cubicula-by-Vaclav-Obsivac-(aka-Vinco)
Craftsman: Vaclav Obsivac
Designer: Vaclav Obsivac
Found at: Eureka
The fitting is somewhat loose on this one (only have two prior to this one though), but it’s really fun and difficult!
But if I had to choose only one (of the ones I have so far) my choice would be Explosion cube
Tap-by-Roger
Craftsman: Roger
Designer: Roger
Here is another puzzle I have not opened yet. The Tap, or also known as “Wasserhahn”. One can hear a ball bearing inside, and the “hot” and “cold” water screws can be turned so they move up and down (block or unblock the little ball inside).
Tags: Metal puzzle, Rare, Roger
R2D2-by-Roger
Craftsman: Roger
Designer: Roger
Not solved this one either… the goal (I assume) is to get the smaller ball bearing past the 2 big ones. NOT as easy as it sounds.
Tags: Metal puzzle, Rare, Roger
Key-&-Lock-by-Roger
Craftsman: Roger
Designer: Roger
“Key and Lock” also known as “Schluessel” is one of Roger’s puzzles that I managed to open so far. The goal is to get the key out of the lock. Once solved just enter the key and turn it to lock again. Not too difficult but smart.
Tags: Metal puzzle, Rare, Roger
Handed-Halfcubes-by-Vaclav-Obsivac-(aka-Vinco)
Craftsman: Vaclav Obsivac
Designer: Vaclav Obsivac
Found at: Puzzlemaster
Great puzzle! Displays nicely, snug fit and fun to solve.
Explosion-Cube-by-Vaclav-Obsivac-(aka-Vinco)
Craftsman: Vaclav Obsivac
Designer: Vaclav Obsivac
Found at: Puzzlemaster
Excellent puzzle! It’s almost just as hard to open this puzzle as it is to assemble it.
Tight fit, displays very nicely. The “Explosion” part of the name will become clear once you manage to disassemble it.
Juha-14-by-Juha-Levonen
Craftsman: Philos
Designer: Juha Levonen
Found at: Rombol
Not the easiest puzzle in the world, but not the hardest either. Had some issues disassemble it at first, due to the lacquer kind of made some of the pieces stick together. Not an issue any more.
Tags: Burr, Juha Levonen, Wood
Propeller-by-Roger
Craftsman: Roger
Designer: Roger
One can hear something moving inside, and the propeller only moves slightly to the left and right, or “R <-> D” as seen in the picture.
I managed to solve this puzzle once now, but are having problems repeating it.
However if you wish to know what I found out, you can check the spoiler below. It will first give a description about what it is about to spoil, and then you need to click again to actually find out.
Show spoiler (it’s not the solution and never will be) »
This will display the goal of the puzzle »
Rotating the propeller freely
Tags: Metal puzzle, Rare, Roger
Karakuri-Small-Box-#8-(KK-8)-by-Karakuri-Creation-Group
Craftsman: Karakuri Creation Group
Designer: Karakuri Creation Group
This box requires some multitasking skill to open. Not as good as the previous two though.
More reviews on Karakuri small box series (1-8 as of now) can be found at Jeff’s and Brian’s blog
Tags: Box, Karakuri, Opening puzzle, small, small box
Karakuri-Small-Box-#7-(KK-7)-by-Karakuri-Creation-Group
Craftsman: Karakuri Creation Group
Designer: Karakuri Creation Group
Great little puzzle box, doesn’t give away to much on how to open it.
A longer review =) can be found on Brian’s and Jeff’s blog
Tags: Box, Karakuri, Opening puzzle, small, small box
Karakuri-Small-Box-#2-(KK-2-4)-by-Karakuri-Creation-Group
Craftsman: Karakuri Creation Group
Designer: Karakuri Creation Group
Great box from Karakuri small box series.
A longer review =) can be found on Brian’s and Jeff’s blog
Tags: Box, Karakuri, Opening puzzle, small, small box
Ring-N-Nut-by-Rocky-Chiaro
Craftsman: Rocky Chiaro
Designer: Rocky Chiaro
See my review of Rocky Chiaro’s great bolt puzzles further down
Tags: Brass, Collecting, Nut / Bolt Puzzle, Rocky Chiaro, Trickbolt
Pin-N-Nut-by-Rocky-Chiaro
Craftsman: Rocky Chiaro
Designer: Rocky Chiaro
See my review of Rocky Chiaro’s great bolt puzzles further down
Tags: Brass, Collecting, Nut / Bolt Puzzle, Rocky Chiaro, Trickbolt
One-Wa-Sure-by-Rocky-Chiaro
Craftsman: Rocky Chiaro
Designer: Rocky Chiaro
See my review of Rocky Chiaro’s great bolt puzzles further down
Tags: Brass, Collecting, Nut / Bolt Puzzle, Rocky Chiaro, Trickbolt
Dub-L-Wa-sure-by-Rocky-Chiaro
Craftsman: Rocky Chiaro
Designer: Rocky Chiaro
See my review of Rocky Chiaro’s great bolt puzzles further down
Tags: Brass, Collecting, Nut / Bolt Puzzle, Rocky Chiaro, Trickbolt
Dub-L-Nut-by-Rocky-Chiaro
Craftsman: Rocky Chiaro
Designer: Rocky Chiaro
[I won't comment on the individual bolt, so the text will be the same for the others]
The bolt puzzles are the first ones I have purchased from Rocky.
Next I’m getting the one of the boxes, keys, miniature vessel…basically at least one of everything. =) The quality is superb, customer service is superb.
Kind of hard to say anything specific about the individual bolt puzzles except they all are different in solution and approach but with basically the same goal obviously, remove the washer or nut. They are not all that difficult but FUN, and did I mention they look awesome.
More bolts can be found at Rob’s HUGE puzzle site
Tags: Brass, Collecting, Nut / Bolt Puzzle, Rocky Chiaro, Trickbolt
Salt-&-Peppar-shakers-by-Sandfield-Brothers-&-Perry-McDaniel
Craftsman: Perry McDaniel
Designer: Sandfield Brothers
I was also one of the lucky ones to get my hands on these little gems.
I had some serious problems getting these ones open =)
Great discovery puzzle check out either Brian’s or Jeff’s great reviews on these.
Tags: Discovery puzzle, Perry McDaniel, Sandfield Brothers, Wood
Twist-the-Night-Away-by-Eric-Fuller-&-Tom-Jolly
Craftsman: Eric Fuller
Designer: Tom Jolly
A very simple burr… I THOUGHT! But boy was I wrong… once disassembled you are left with two interlocking pieces, which must have been done when the puzzle was made. But noooo… I found out that they do indeed separate, after asking Eric if the pieces can be untangled. It took me a good while to figuring out the twisty moves necessary.
Tags: Burr, cubicdissection, Eric Fuller, Tom Jolly, Wood
Tier-Box-by-Eric-Fuller
Craftsman: Eric Fuller
Designer: Eric Fuller
My first box from Eric. Top quality! Fantastic finish! An overall really fun box, I had more problem closing it then opening it, due to it’s clever design, and what seamed to be the bottom turned out to be the top at first, and later on I believed the bottom to be the top… I could go on forever =)
Brian has written more detailed review.
Tags: Box, cubicdissection, Eric Fuller, Trickbox, Wood
Tangler Canarywood by Eric Fuller & Tom Jolly
Craftsman: Eric Fuller
Designer: Tom Jolly
Still haven’t been able to solve this devilish 2 piece interlock puzzle… It’s getting on my nerves, so few pieces so many dead ends!
Excellent finish, fit and precision, and it doesn’t hurt that it displays really well to.
Tags: Burr, cubicdissection, Eric Fuller, Tom Jolly, Wood
Visible-Cube-Maple-by-Eric-Fuller-&-Bram-Cohen
Craftsman: Eric Fuller
Designer: Bram Cohen
This one is a devil disguised in a dwarf suite! I could not believe the accuracy/precision/fit (or whatever you call it) when I finally managed to get the first piece out.
Once I got the second piece loose I started to worry a bit… so I recorded the rest of the opening process with my cellphone camera (not one of those really cool android phones), dispite having the recording it was REALLY tricky to assemble again.
Tags: Bram Cohen, Burr, cubicdissection, Eric Fuller, Wood
Popplock-T4-by-Rainer-Popp
Craftsman: Rainer Popp
Designer: Rainer Popp
Found here: Puzzlemaster.ca & Grand-Illusion
This must be Rainer’s pride and joy! In par with DanLock (if not better) in my opinion.
I broke down and looked at the solution for this puzzle, in fear of damaging the puzzle if I continued. Boy do I regret doing that.. I would probably still be working on it if I hadn’t looked.
These locks ain’t cheap, but they are milled from a solid block (you could probably kill someone with it judging by the weight =) and are hand crafted.
Tags: Collecting, Metal puzzle, Popplock, Rainer Popp, Tricklock
Popplock-T3-by-Rainer-Popp
Craftsman: Rainer Popp
Designer: Rainer Popp
Found here: Puzzlemaster.ca & Grand-Illusion
Excellent lock, I would rate this as Rainer’s second best lock.
(This one I managed without having a look at the solution sheet)
Tags: Metal puzzle, Milled, Popplock, Rainer Popp, Tricklock
Karst-Phenomenon-cube-by-Brian-Young-&-Karst-Nauta
Craftsman: Brian Young
Designer: Karst Nauta
A really cool puzzle, it’s two halves that need to come apart. They are held together by a very clever lock. One could stumble upon the solution once or twice by accident. But you would not be able to open it on command if you don’t know what you are doing.
Tags: Brian Young, mrpuzzle, Wood
SEARious-burr-by-Brian-Young
Craftsman: Brian Young
Very smart discovery puzzle by Brian. It’s modelled of the Sears Tower in Chicago. It took me quite a while to get this one open. You will find quite a few tricks in this burr.
Tags: Brian Young, Burr, Discovery puzzle, Wood
RevoMaze-Bronze-by-Chris-Pitt
Craftsman: -
Designer: Chris Pitt
This is (at the time I writing this) Chris’s hardest puzzle yet. It took me approx. 12-13 hours of working on the puzzle to get it open. It incorporates some devious “tricks”.
Read my blue RevoMaze review for more info on this great puzzle.
Tags: Chris Pitt, Maze puzzle, Metal puzzle, Revomaze
Tern-Key-by-Eric-Fuller-&-Goh-Pit-Khiam
Craftsman: Eric Fuller
Designer: Goh Pit Khiam
Cool puzzle where the goal is to get the acrylic key out by moving 8 locks in different sequences. Not too hard but really fun.
Tags: Acrylic, cubicdissection, Eric Fuller, Goh Pit Khiam
RevoMaze-Green-by-Chris-Pitt
Craftsman: -
Designer: Chris Pitt
The second in the series, this is a step up from the blue. It took me a good 9-10 hours of working on the puzzle to finally get the core out.
Read my blue RevoMaze review for mor info on this great puzzle.
Tags: Bronze, Chris Pitt, Maze puzzle, Metal puzzle, Revomaze
Craftsman: Rainer Popp
Designer: Rainer Popp
Found here: Puzzlemaster.ca & Grand-Illusion
(My lock is currently loaned out to a friend, so I have not been able to take my own photo of it yet.)
This lock has a few tricks up it’s sleeve, though the first one is fairly obvious.
It’s a really solid lock with a good weight to it. Unfortunately it ain’t obvious if you manage to open the lock because the hatch ain’t spring loaded.
I like to think that I would have managed to open the lock without solution, had I known this. Overall a great quality tricklock. =)
Tags: Metal puzzle, Milled, Popplock, Rainer Popp, Tricklock
RevoMaze-Blue-by-Chris-Pitt
Craftsman: -
Designer: Chris Pitt
The first in a series of five. You navigate “blind” in a maze by turning the shaft that’s surrounded by the blue sleeve. The goal is to get to the end of the maze so you can remove the shaft completely, and get the core out from the shaft. There waits a signed certificate with a registration number and a transparent map.
The registration number will get you a place on the leaderboard and in the cash prize tournament.
The map will give you clues to the series code, which if you solve (in time) guarantee a place in the tournament finals. More info about this on http://www.revomaze.co.uk/
The best part about these puzzles is the sense of progression and satisfaction as you progress in the maze. This is a GREAT puzzle and will last a long time.
The blue (the easiest one) took me approx. 5-6 hours of working on it to get it open.
Tags: Bronze, Chris Pitt, Maze puzzle, Metal puzzle, Revomaze
Cartesian-Wallet-by-Eric-Fuller-&-Akio-Yamamoto
Craftsman: Eric Fuller
Designer: Akio Yamamoto
This is my current wallet that I have been carrying around ever since I found it.
So that is why the wallet on the picture looks a bit worn.
(The photo does not make it justice)
It is one of my best puzzles I have, because it fills a function (best wallet ever), it’s deceptively hard to fold back together. Not a piece of cake to unfold either, and by unfolding I mean completely, it’s of course peanuts to get to your cards.
I was going crazy to fold it back together because I didn’t pay much attention unfolding it.
I HIGHLY recommend the Cartesian wallet you can get it here for only $39
I sound like a used car salesman, but I love this wallet! =)
Tags: Akio Yamamoto, cubicdissection, Eric Fuller, Leather puzzle
DanLock-model-B-by-Dan-Feldman
Craftsman: Dan Feldman
Designer: Dan Feldman
DanLock – Probably the best tricklock ever!
The first tricklock I got, and I struck gold! =)
It has some ingenious tricks! Opening the hatch is merely 1/4 of the solution. The really hard part is locking it again with the key in the shack (as seen in the picture)
It comes with a broken key as well which might prove useful. But that’s the only tools you are allowed to use. Not even the small ring holding the broken pieces in place are allowed.
You can solve the lock by sitting naked in a padded cell, with just the lock with the key in the shackle, and the broken key parts.
Tags: Dan Feldman, DanLock, Israel, Tricklock
YOT-by-Hi-Q-Products
Craftsman: Hi-Q Products
Designer: -
Tags: Metal puzzle
Cast-NEWS-by-Hanayama
Craftsman: Hanayama
Designer: NOB 2003
Tags: Cast, Hanayama, Metal puzzle