Hysteresis key

From time to time, there is an original puzzle that is made again using 3D printers and it seems the case for many Oskar's puzzles. This time let me introduce you with Hysteresis Key puzzle.

 

The goal is, by moving back and forth the "drawer" to release it from its base. If you move too far the key, the puzzle will reset by itself.

 

The original puzzle (on the left) is pretty hard to solve because it's a blind solve and you cannot see the path at all, while on the right you can see it. However, you still need to anticipate how the pin will go depending on the obstacles.

The other (obvious) difference between the original and the 3D printed one is about the materials used that were plastic and metal originally, making is heavier.

 

In my opinion, it's a very clever design and luckily it was made it again so I can finally understand the internals!

 You can also still challenge yourself by hidding the path, and try to map it like a revomaze. 

 

The puzzle can be found on Puzzle Master website!

 

Kickstarter campaign for Oskar's metal puzzle is launched !

Puzzle Master has officially launched a new kickstarter campaign to raise funds so to mass-produce a metal puzzle from Oskar's mind.

 

This Honeycomb puzzle is composed of a black base and of 7 threaded gold pieces that you literally have to unscrew / screw from/in the base to solve and reassemble the puzzle.

Quality speaking this puzzle is very nice and the fit was perfect and precise. I can only speak for my copy but I guess some (I still hope not!) won't be as perfect as mine. Here comes a potential weakness: if the threads are not precisely made, then it may be either hard or impossible to solve the puzzle. But I guess Puzzle Master will follow up any issue. 

The puzzle feels solid and heaby in the hands and clearly this is usually a good sign! No red flags here :)

I still advise supervision of adults if children are playing with the puzzle. Threads can be sharp and you may cut a bit your fingers if you apply too much pressure on them while screwing. It does not happen to me but this is the usual warning when playing with metal threaded parts: take your time, no pressure, no force, be gentle !!

Now let's speak about the solving process. Obviously you will have to unscrew all the pieces, no doubt about that. It's pretty easy and straight forward to solve the puzzle. Anyone can solve it !

Reassembling the puzzle is more challenging. You need to figure out which pieces go where and fidle a bit about how to put them back. Still, it's not super difficult to achieve, it's pleasant though.

If you're a metal puzzle sucker, definitely you should pledge on the kickstarter campaign. If you're only attracted by the difficulty level of a puzzle, just consider another puzzle, or buy it for your friends :)

 

The link for the kickstarter campaign is: HERE

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?

Free Willy !!

Designed by the Dutch designer Oskar van Deventer, made by George Miller and exchanged by Nick Baxter in 2005, this nice little puzzle was the first one crafted using 3D printers.

Willy has to be positioned properly so that the puzzle completely fits inside the box.

This is a pretty fragile puzzle due to its materials used and you should play with a lot of care: no force at all, but gentle moves only.
As you have guessed the goal is to free Willy (the blue plastic dolphin) from the maze. On each side of the solid are pegs that prevent Willy to move freely, so you will have to go through many sides of the white solid while turning Will to finally free it.

Oskar has accustomed us to mazes and this one is no exception to the others: you will get lost easily inside the maze....Poor Willy!! ;-)
Actually, when I played with this puzzle, I had the feeling that I went back to previous steps many times and what I considered as moving forward was more stepping back....but perhaps I also went back making some moves inside the holes. Anyway, after many (more than what is needed) moves, I solved the puzzle.

 

Don't judge a puzzle only on its size: this one is pretty small but will keep you puzzling for some time. And mazes like this one (not hidden mazes) are always fun to play with. Especially because you usually know the goal but cannot remember all the right steps in the right order!

 Which maze(s) from Oskar is/are your favourite one(s)?