Hanayama Cast Cylinder Puzzle

Bought this for my brother who solves rubix cubes at terrifying speeds. He was sure he could figure this out in no time but it took him, and our dad, the better part of the day to get it open. Given My father is an engineer and my brother of a similar skill set I take it as proof this puzzle is brilliantly difficult and a fresh challenge for anyone who claims to be a pro at puzzle solving. Product is also highly durable and well packaged, kudos.

Love this. It's a great desktop toy. Took me ages to figure out how to get it apart, but eventually the pieces dropped. Likewise a complete fiddle to get back together, but that exactly the point. Like a magician, you have to practise with it, in order to become fluent. Excellent puzzle and very good value.

It's quite small! Smaller than expected.It appears well made, but occasional pieces bind. Try using some wd40 to lubricate edges, but you shouldn't need to force the puzzle otherwise as per other reviews, it may break! Though ours appears strong enough to resist dropping from clumsy users.Once apart it appears that it should be easy enough to put together, but one back together, its not easy to take apart as there aren't any marking on the outside to orientate yourself to the puzzle.Certainly worth getting!

It’s a terrific puzzle, really well made. Kept me quiet for ages. I didn’t expect something so well made these days would be so difficult to crack. The pieces have a slight difference in shape it’s hardly noticeable, however it makes all the difference when your trying to put it back togther again.With absolutely no idea, as to how theses puzzles are taken apart, it looks impossible even before you start, good luck!A few of these bad boys would keep several members of your family quiet over the holiday season.Really happy with my purchase.

Love puzzles. I had to give up trying to solve this and Google a solution. Doesn't take away the pleasure and it decorates my mantle piece.

My girlfriend buys me puzzles from time to time so I rarely actually choose them. With hindsight, I probably would not have got it if I saw how it's put together, and this is one of my least favourite puzzles. To take it apart, if you shake and twist it long enough, it will fall apart. However, I find the arrangement of threads and shapes on the 5 parts so complex that I don't think I will ever manage to put it together again. It's semi-completed and lying in a box, and I just can't bring myself to pick it up again. I also don't enjoy just playing absent-mindedly with it as there are too many bits! (The undisputed kings of the "pleasure to fiddle with" category are Cast Marble and Cast Spiral puzzles). I think I'll look up a solution eventually, but I know already it won't be anything clever, just getting a complicated alignment right. I don't find puzzles which are THIS tricky satisfying - it's more for a computer to solve, or for the very few people who have computer-like brains when it comes to visualising and remembering 3D shapes.I do have a funny story about this puzzle. It was in my hand luggage going through airport security and raised the security staff's suspicions. When I said what it was, they weren't very trusting and asked me to prove it and show me what was inside. Imagine the cold sweat starting to appear on my flushed face when I mumbled that it would not be possible! But after a slightly hairy minute or so, they relented and let me go through.

This is difficult but not impossible. I worked it out in about 90 mins, which was challenging enough. The infinity and marble have not yet been cracked and are a little close to frustrating.

Bought for my father—a retired engineer. He persevered with it for days... then picked it up and cracked it in half and hour*! It has provided hours of enjoyment and fascination. Its beautifully engineered components are a joy to behold. Then there is the task of putting it back together again.Highly recommended, especially if you love the look and feel of a well-engineered puzzle.* He has since forgotten how he did it, so the mystery starts all over again!