There are a plethora of “Tangram” like puzzles that have a long history and provide immense enjoyment challenge and entertainment. When I see the name Hanayama on a puzzle, I immediately think of the wonderful cast puzzles that they have made, and are very popular. To give you an Idea of the history and what a popular puzzle the Tangram is, you might check “The Tangram Book”, or “The Anchor Puzzle Book” by Jerry Slocum. This “Lucky Puzzle” has been around for many years and has been called the “Cross Breaker” Puzzle”,or Kreuzspiel, when introduced in 1892.For more [Read More...]

Category: All Puzzles, Put together Puzzles

I’m no expert on puzzle locks, and this was the first puzzle lock I added to my collection. Having spoken with a number of puzzling friends, they all recommended the Danlock, and by most it is considered the Rolls Royce of puzzle locks. So why the high accolade?

Well the reason comes from the fact that this is a real padlock. Dan Feldman buys the Nabob padlocks, which are made in Israel, and modifies them into these trick locks. So what you have is a solid brass padlock, with a real lock that makes a really solid puzzle. As you [Read More...]

Category: All Puzzles, Metal Puzzles

The Trapped Satellite is a fairly common puzzle or as some like to call it a brainteaser. It is made by several different companies and goes by different names–”Nerves of Steel”,”Metal Teaser Cage”,etc. It has also been produced in wood and plastic. A plastic version is here on Amazon and called “Cage Puzzler”. The same idea is used for other trapped or caged things like Hedgehog, Torpedo, etc. When you first pick it up, it looks simple but soon it looks impossible. This is always a good feature for a puzzle or brainteaser. There [Read More...]

Category: All Puzzles, Metal Puzzles

A whole level above those brainteasers generally known as “wire puzzles”. These are what are called Tavern Puzzles. An excellent puzzle to look at as well as to try to solve. Tavern puzzles are made of heavy, 1/4 inch iron rod and rings, some even consist of wood balls and/or chain. They are quite heavy, this one weighs almost a pound. They have been around for many years, and often were made by blacksmiths. They possibly got their name from being around bars or taverns for enjoyment. They are generally quite difficult to solve; this particular one is above average to difficult. The [Read More...]

Category: All Puzzles, Metal Puzzles

The Cast Spiral is a fascinating little brainteaser. As you hold it, it slips and rattles; but surprisingly, it just won’t come apart. The temptation is there to force it, but that doesn’t help, nor is forcing ever the approach one needs to take in conquering a mechanical puzzle. All five pieces appear to be identical, and they all move with the same ease. However; while it seems that any one piece will easily come loose, it always has another holding it in place. I said all five pieces appear to be identical, but one piece has [Read More...]

Category: All Puzzles, Metal Puzzles

The Cast Claw is a beautiful puzzle to hold, look at, and to play with. Highly durable and a puzzle that will give many years of enjoyment. As to difficulty, I would rate it as medium. There are several puzzles quite similar in that one piece must be moved from one of several sections through others via notches, until you are able to obtain its release. This puzzle has 3 sections with each section having 2 notches where the fish shaped ring can pass. Which of these slots ,or is there another not so obvious exit path? [Read More...]

Category: All Puzzles, Metal Puzzles

The Sequencer is the fourth puzzle I’m reviewing from the Paradigm Puzzles collection by Family Games America. This series of six Packing Puzzles are all designed by William Waite, and feature some of the most mesmerizing patterns you’ll ever see in mechanical puzzles.

Like all the puzzles in the series, the Sequencer is laser-cut, made from plywood, so all pieces can fit perfectly in the frame. Not the best of qualities for a puzzle, but the result is still nice and makes it very affordable. The size is about the same as the others, with a [Read More...]

Category: All Puzzles, Wood Puzzles