NANAB

Strange name for a trick bolt (even if some designers have used us to strange names as well), but actually NANAB means "Not Another Nut And Bolt". And indeed it's a different mechanism than for other trick bolts.

The bolt is initially packed in a small look-like pharmaceuticals container but I assure you, it will not heal your addiction to puzzles ;-)

So here we are with a bolt, a nut and a washer, and the goal is simply to free the washer.
It's clearly indicated not to use any force with the nut to avoid spoiling.

Indeed you cannot see (but guess pretty well the mechanism) and by using force to free the nut, then you will be able to see the mechanism and perhaps losing parts of the mechanism....

Definitely not a high challenge to solve it, but actually most trick bolts are not the most complicated puzzles and you usually solve them pretty quickly. However, a nice puzzle and highly collector puzzle, not only because the craftman deceased some time ago but also because Frank Chambers worked more with corian than metal.

Double semi-maze

A very original and unusual metal puzzle designed and crafted by R.D Rose before he passed out some years ago.

The goal is not to separate any parts, but going from one notch to another, and go back, by moving the parts and turning them.

As you can see the inner parts can move up or down allowing you to continue in your puzzling journey. Of course, you have dead ends and need to go back to better move forward. That's often the case with mazes. And sometimes the dot can still go under the back part...

Even if I am not the biggest fan of maze, this one is one of my favourite one because there is no frustration and only enjoyment with this puzzle. It's very fun to play again and again.

The 2 notches are better visible here (at the bottom)

If you have ever played with R.D Rose's puzzles, you can notice that all his designs are original and this one is no exception.

Domino tower

The name describes perfectly the shape of this puzzle made of several wooden dominos glued in a way to come up with 4 identical pieces, that need to be disassembled and then reassembled together.

A clever design by the famous Oskar and crafted by Tom Lensch. Have you noticed that many Oskar's are crafted by Tom, by the way? :-)
I cannot complain because the quality is very good! And the designs from Oskar always original!

What strickes you is the very nice woods used to craft this puzzle: the colors are bright and contrast perfectly with each other. The look is very nice and reminds me the shape we try when we were younger by playing domino, trying to build to highest tower. Here it's only a 6 levevels tower and is stable!

Now, what about the puzzling aspect? Very easy to take apart, but when doing it, try to remember what you've done because it's more challenging to reassemble. So a nice challenge and not overly difficult to reassemble.

If you come across one, don't hesitate you won't be disappointed! And it's a nice addition to a puzzle collection. I think there are other domino's puzzle by Oskar. If any of you have ever played with this one and the others, which is your favourite?

Double puzzle

A nice puzzle that deserves to be in puzzlers' collection, not only because it was made and crafted by Charles O.Perry (who deceased some time ago), not only because it has metal and resin, not only because it's fun to play with, but also because the shape is original and unusual!

The puzzle is composed of 3 identical resin pieces and 3 small metal (probably brass) rods which are not identical. Actually I put the puzzle under the "metal puzzles" label, but I could have even created a new label called "resin puzzle" because resin represents most of the materials used to craft the puzzle!

As you may have guess, the goal is to separate the 3 pieces and it will not take you ages to succeed. Pushing back and forth the rods will soon allow you to solve the puzzle :-)

I feel the challenge (not overly difficult, though) is more to reassemble it. It's always difficult to take the decision where to begin with: should you assemble 2 resin pieces and then try to put one metal rod? Or perhaps best is to put one metal rod through a small part of a resin piece? Or even try to assemble all the 3 resin pieces and then all the 3 rods?

In any way, there are not so many possibilities and you should not have (too many) difficulties to reassemble it. But well, that still a nice challenge! And, as the resin is not transparent, then you need to guess where the holes in the rods are or to position carefully the rods before.

Despite being a puzzle, it is also (in my opinion) an art piece, especially when you know the background of the designer of the puzzle, then well it cannot be seen as only a puzzle!

Charles O.Perry crafted other bi-material puzzles, but this one is definitely the most original!