June 2022 Update Preview

2LIT is a fresh packing puzzle concept by Kris Antibus and Matthew Hochberg. The goal is to fit five pieces into a rather unique box. The opening to the box is a sliding panel with a notch, and a block fixed on the inside. The movement of this panel creates a changing state which significantly complicates the solving process. With no external tools allowed or required, you'll have to summon all your creativity to defeat this clever opponent!

We manufactured 2LIT with a Maple top and bottom combined with Jatoba sides. The pieces are solid Katalox. Approximately 100 copies are available. 2LIT ships in an unsolved configuration.

Often preferring to break new ground, we don't always re-release designs. We even more rarely continue to revisit a design over the long term. Only the most exciting and entertaining puzzles are consistently remade, and BonBon fits that description. It is the perfect blend of difficulty, intrigue, and display beauty.

BonBon is also just a ton of fun. The set of five tetrominoes must be fully inserted in the rectangular box, and there is only one particular way to do it. The solution requires over a dozen correct moves and rotations. It must be found by careful analysis rather than random attempts.

Accommodating the unusual cutouts in the box was an exciting design challenge. The acrylic top is held in place with a tricky set of shoulders resulting in a tight fit while retaining a solid exterior.

This third release of Bonbon was constructed from the last of the previous Butternut. Butternut is usually a very soft wood, but we found an unusually dense billet with some nice figure and curl for this project. We paired this with a dark and dense Chechen for the pieces. In addition, we created a variant for this release that combines a bright quarter-sawn Sycamore box with some lovely Chakte Viga for the internals. The fit and finish meet our accustomed accuracy, with parts sliding precisely and smoothly.

Here is an excellent blog review of BonBon by Zenpuzzler.

100 copies made for sale, each signed and dated. BonBon is shipped in an unsolved configuration.

As shown by the previous releases we crafted from solid wood in its intended rectilinear form, 2-in-1 is one of our favorite burr puzzles. Eric recently had the idea to try the same assembly in precision milled round metal. The result is profound, a reinvention that adds significant difficulty and results in a beautiful, hefty metal sculpture.

This twelve-piece serially interlocking burr has a unique solution and multiple challenges. Merely deciphering the proper location and order of the pieces is the first challenge. Manipulating the parts to create the final assembly is its own trial. It requires dexterity and inventiveness (we take pity by including small elastic bands to aid in the process).

2-in-1 can be difficult and frustrating, but the result is worth the effort once solved. The solid stainless steel pieces interlock with absolute precision, each measurement accurate to within 0.05 mm. The final weight of over 1 lb (.5kg) is a testament to the materials' quality. In sum, 2-in-1 is a beautiful puzzle you won't regret experiencing.

This puzzle ships unassembled. The solution is available upon request.

Unlawful Assembly is another clever packing puzzle from the talented Pit Khiam Goh. The included five pieces will clearly fit into the tray but are blocked by a frame covering the outside edge. To successfully solve the puzzle, you will have to find a way to work around it. When completed, the contrasting dark red and smoke gray pieces make a visually striking geometric pattern against the bright white tray background.

This batch of Unlawful Assembly was constructed from three colors of cast acrylic. Unlawful Assembly ships in an unsolved configuration.