Name: Puzzler's Cage (2020 Edition)
Brand: Eric Fuller
Price: 119.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

DESIGNER:	Junichi Yananose
MATERIAL:	Bubinga, Schedua, and Black Palm
RELEASE DATE:	10.7.2020
EDITION:	53 Copies Released
SIZE:	3.75"

Are you ready? No. You're not ready. This puzzle is a BEAST.
Puzzler's Cage was designed by Junichi Yananose in 1999 without the aid of a computer. He describes it as “crazy hard”. The puzzle has more interlock than should be possible, with half of the stick ends captive in notched perpendicular pieces. Even with instructions, assembly is a daunting task.

We used three different woods to give clues for solving. The beautiful tones of Bubinga, Schedua and Black Palm ensure this will hold a prized place in your puzzle display. Preferably behind glass so someone does not inadvertently disassemble it.

Notches and dimensions are very precise, with just enough room to prevent binding during the solve. Given the number of pieces and negative space, solving can be a bit of a dexterity puzzle. We recommended you keep it flat on a table to maintain a plane of reference during the process.

53 copies available for sale, each signed and dated. This puzzle is shipped disassembled.

Precision wood puzzles can be damaged by environmental changes. Please read the Caring for Wood Puzzles guide to ensure proper fit and operation.

Beautifully made, exceptional quality, not one of my favorite designs though

As usual, Eric & co. has done an outstanding job on the craftsmanship of this piece. The woods are gorgeous and complement each other so nicely. The fit and finish are incredible as well. However, the design of this puzzle is disappointing to me. Just a matter of opinion, but it frustrated me more than any other puzzle I've worked. I spent hours learning how the pieces interfaced and used all my skills to get a lot of the way completed. In the end I needed to consult the solution (I'm so ashamed) and even with that, it was almost an insurmountable challenge to overcome. The pieces do not stay in place due to the wiggle room. You will feel like you need four hands most of the time. I finally got it completed and instead of that wonderful surge of satisfaction, I felt relief instead and put it on a shelf hopefully never to be in pieces again. I do not EVER want to have to put this together again. I'm still not sure how I managed to hold this together while I got the final pieces in place (struggling, for sure). So I only give it 4 stars because of the frustration and lack of desire to play with it further. Sorry Eric, not your fault at all!