Knot Simple

The Knot Simple is another of Doug Engel's many interesting puzzle designs. I had reviewed his Great Collision in an earlier post. Measuring about 5cm x 5cm x 5cm, it consist of three interlocking U-shaped pieces. For an all-metal puzzle, it is really good value for money at only CS$9.99 from PuzzleMaster of Canada. My shipping charges to Singapore cost me twice as much  :-(

The puzzle pieces are entirely made of (what I think) is brass and each piece has been coated (or anodised) a different colour; gold, silver and copper. Quality and fit and finish for the price is surprisingly pretty decent. Although I have to say that once you play with the puzzle, rub marks start to form on the shiny surfaces...but then again, what do you expect for CA$9.99?

The object of the Knot Simple is to take apart the three interlocking pieces. This is "knot" that difficult. I managed to separate the three quite quickly; mainly through trial and error, fiddling and pulling each piece here and there, trying to figure what works. Putting the puzzle back together was also pretty easy, since there are only three pieces to work with. While the top photo appears to show a tightly fit unit, this is not really the case. When the puzzle is picked up, there is a fair amount of free-play between the pieces, hence don't expect the dis-assembly to be smooth and precise like that of a burr.

You may think that all the three pieces look identical, but not so. There are actually minor differences in the shape of each piece upon closer inspection. This because there is really an intended sequence to disengaging the pieces, although I didn't really know this at the time of solving, since I was just trying to move whichever piece that could move. Later as I checked the accompanying solution, I saw the sequence of dis-assembly and re-assembly which was in accordance with the colour of the pieces.

PuzzleMaster rates it at level 7 but I think its more a 6. There also appears to be a disparity between the printed copy of the solution and the puzzle itself; the colours assigned to the pieces in the diagram of the solution do not match the actual pieces of the puzzle. Either the diagram was wrongly printed or the pieces were coated with the wrong colours; I think its easier to change the former (NB: To the folks at PuzzleMaster, please take note).

Great Collision

The Great Collision was designed by Doug Engel, who runs his own website selling a wide variety of interesting  puzzles. My copy came from PuzzleMaster of Canada. I can only guess why the puzzle is called the Great Collision; because atoms collide in nature and it resembles an atomic nucleus.

This puzzle comprises of 3 curve-shaped pieces all made of aluminium, of which two are identical. Together they interlock to form a "space" which traps a red plastic ball. The overall dimensions of the puzzle are 10cm x 11cm x 7.5cm and the red ball is about 2.5cm in diameter. Overall the quality and finish of the puzzle is pretty decent. It would have received a better rating had the aluminium pieces been anodised instead of merely powder coated black to make it more durable. As the pieces rub against each other in the course of puzzling, bits of black paint start to come off leaving tiny scuff marks on the surfaces.

The object is pretty obvious...to remove the red ball from the centre. The two identical pieces are interlocked together horizontally, like jigsaw pieces, while the third piece holds the two identical ones in place through the vertical axis. This third piece can "rotate" along the plane of the other two interlocked pieces. To solve, one would have to manipulate this third piece as well as disengage the two interlocked pieces, all at the same time to free the red ball. Everything that needs to be done is visible and I found it pretty easy to take-apart the puzzle.

Re-assembling everything into a whole again was much harder. Here, much more dexterity is also required, especially so when trying to fit the red ball back in place. PuzzleMaster rates it as a 7 in the level of difficulty. I don't really think so...I would rate it somewhere between 5 and 6, with the added fact that it is more difficult to put the puzzle back together. Generally a suitable puzzle for those new to puzzling.

Something interesting to note....on the outside of the plastic packaging, there is also the printed phrase which states..."The More You Play, The Smarter You Get"...Hmm..I am not sure how I can get smarter with repeated playing of this puzzle though!