Spy - Alexander Magyarics by CubicDissection

 

This is a really cool design by Alexander and of course beautifully crafted by Eric!

Here's Eric's description from Cubicdissection:

“Spy is an Interlocking Puzzle with a secret. Four Purpleheart and Yellowheart pieces packed into a Figured Maple container...simple, right? Perhaps a closer look is in order. With a level 24.2.2.2.4 solution, Spy is definitely hiding something! Even disassembly is a difficult task.

With sturdy shouldered box construction and burr pieces milled from solid exotic wood, Spy looks great when disassembled and even better when solved. Tolerances allow for smooth movement while ensuring a stable final assembly.

Approximately 85 copies are available. Each puzzle is signed and dated.”

Akaki’s Picnic - Akaki Kuumeri by CubicDissection

 

This puzzle features what I would consider some of Eric’s finest craftsmanship!

Here's Eric's description from Cubicdissection:

“Akaki's Picnic is a wonderfully creative Packing Puzzle. The goal is to pack each 3x3 cube into the Picnic Basket so that all pieces are flush. Assembling the cubes outside the basket is trivial; the challenge comes when you try to fill the container. The handle of the basket blocks your progress, causing you to analyze the situation and think outside the box.

Akaki named the cubes after different foods you might find at a picnic. Each has a unique solution, representing a range of difficulties. We have chosen three of the more challenging cubes for this release. Each cube has four pieces and requires rotations:

• Egg has a level 3.4.7.2 solution

• Sandwich has a level 3.5.5.2 solution

• Wine has a level 4.4.5.3 solution

Akaki also 3D prints this puzzle, and we collaborated so that the pieces interchange with our release. Collectors can order individual cubes from his Etsy Shop and solve them using our wood basket.

Akaki's Picnic release was made using labor-intensive joinery techniques and some of our finest exotic wood stock. The basket is solid Zebrawood with a beautiful striped figure reminiscent of a woven picnic basket. The handle is secured to the basket with robust notched joinery, with the top braced with a shoulder joint. The Egg cube uses Figured Birch, Fruit is from dark red Bloodwood, and Sandwich from a dense plank of Jatoba.

Approximately 90 copies are available. Each puzzle is signed and dated.”

Sonneveld’s Cubed Burr - Dic Sonneveld/Trevor Wood by Tom Lensch

This is a classic design that for one reason or another I haven’t blogged about.  It’s a very difficult assembly puzzle if you receive it that way, but can be just as confusing to disassemble!

Note that I have added Trevor Wood as co-designer as the solution diagram makes mention of that.

Here’s a brief description from John Rausch at PuzzleWorld with the photo attributed to him as well:

“A three-piece burr is contained within the cube. It is very difficult to disassemble and assemble, requiring rotations and other unnatural acts in addition to the usual burr movements.”

Undercover by Phil Wigfield

 

I recently received this wonderful puzzle from Phil.  They will be available at his Etsy Shop soon so be sure to keep an eye out.

Here’s Phil’s Description:

“The aim is to  uncover the inner core from the outer core. To pre-empt the question; no – it is not a Revomaze so to speak. Currently there is no limit of the batch size that I will be making; in the sense that it is not a limited edition.

For me personally, the puzzle is very much about the machining side in the sense that I really wanted to push myself and achieve very tight tolerances of which nowadays people would run straight to a CNC machine instead of using any sort of manual lathe. Only once the puzzle is solved that the machining can be appreciated.”

Made from - Solid Brass

Quadlock 1 by Jerry McFarland - 1992

Jerry had been crafting mostly Bill Cutler puzzle designs prior to releasing this design in ‘92.  His background in engineering led him to a novel automation of his burr notching method that allows such precise notches.  I originally started making Bill’s packing puzzles for him to sell on his website in the mid 2000’s and struck up a friendship with Jerry at that time.  Once I began offering puzzles for Eric to sell on Cubicdissection I soon asked Jerry if he wanted to sell some of his work there as well and that’s when he sold a run of these very cool Quadlock 1 puzzles.

Here’s Jerry’s description of the Quadlock designs:

“Quadlock 1 is a difficult to take apart 19 piece flattened cube puzzle.  Quadlock 3 is a similar 25 piece cube but with a completely different disassembly method.  It is more difficult than Quadlock 1 and requires 22 moves to get out the first piece.

Both puzzles are made with 7/8” Walnut, Mahogany and Maple.

Note:  Quadlock 2 was a 23 piece version of Quadlock 1.  Since it was very similar to Quadlock 1 only a few models were made and it was discontinued.”

The lock picking sequence used is quite cool and a lot of fun trying to conjure up the elusive opening sequence.  This original version measured 3.5" x 3.5" x 2.6".

Subsequently Jerry offered a slightly smaller version in 2011 version 2.9” x 2.9” x 2.2” .  As well as several different exotic wood varieties:

Tulipwood/Wenge/Maple

Cocobolo/Wenge/Maple

Walnut/Maple/Cardinal

The copy below has Jerry’s unique stamped marking of #10 with his initials and year in pencil.

Toyo Glass Puzzles

Years ago I had a Pack the Plums packing puzzle by Toyo Glass and I found it very intriguing, all of these puzzles are just so clever and of course beautifully made!  I found this very informative description below from The Metagrobologist and Frederic Boucher of The Toyo Glass Company:

 “TOYO GLASS Co., LTD is a company that produces bottles and various kind of glassware. Between 1988 and 1995, TOYO GLASS produced a series of glass puzzles. About one hundred puzzles were commercialised and countless models of all sorts that were not commercialised: prototypes, promotional models, models utilised for specific events, and so forth.

This remarkable achievement could not be done without Mr.Kunio Saeki, the president of TOYO GLASS at the time. He had the opportunity to conciliate his passion for puzzles with his work and created a new department called PUZZLE CITY. “Life is like a puzzle”, he said. Mr.Kunio surrounded himself with a small team of collaborators, and notably the world-renowned puzzlist Mr Nobuyuki Yoshigawara. During this relatively short period of time, approximately seven years, what a rich heritage Mr Saeki left for future generations of puzzles lovers!

As a collector, Frederic Boucher felt the need to create a document that would present as much information as he could gather on the collection of PUZZLE CITY. It was his way of honouring and paying homage to the designers who were passionate and inspiring, and who accomplished a remarkable work in the universe of puzzles.”

~ TheMetagrobologist and Frederic Boucher

Here’s photos of a variety of different designs:

Climburr - Christoph Lohe - Ken Irvine - Andrew Crowell by Mat Nedeljko

 

I couldn’t pass up the chance to acquire this terrific puzzle collaboration between Cristoph, Ken and Andrew.

Mat’s craftsmanship is superb on this one so when more become available, I highly recommend you snatch one up for your collection.

Here’s Mat’s description from Nedeljko Woodworks:

“Climburr is a very special collaborative design effort by Chris Lohe, Ken Irvine and Andrew Crowell.  Building upon the previous  designs by Chris that featured three sticks in a 5x5x5 cage Chamburr and Cyburr this design is on a whole new level. 

Here is what Chris says about it: 

"Climburr is not really a 5x5x5 framed puzzle any more. In order to
disable an early shortcut it requires an odd angled cut in the frame,
and two angled cuts in one of the three Burr sticks. It pays back by a
50+ level for the first stick, many required rotations, and a really
fantastic solving sequence. The beauty of that puzzle is not in the
outer appearance but in the complexity which can be achieved with only
three burr sticks, if you stretch the concept to the limit. The puzzle
is very difficult to disassemble and reassemble."

Beautifully crafted from Chechen and Maple. Lacquered and waxed. Ships assembled.”