BePuzzled |Dice Hanayama Metal Brainteaser Puzzle Mensa Rated Level 3, for Ages 12 and Up

This is by far one of the coolest puzzles I have ever seen. Even after you solve it, it makes an awesome desk toy; it's immensely satisfying to simply play with and move the gear around. While it isn't super difficult to solve this by accident after moving the gear around randomly for a long time, coming up with an actual solution (by which I mean, a full movement algorithm, with which you could reliably move any tooth of the gear into any of the six faces of the cube in any desired orientation) will take quite a bit of thought. For someone new to the puzzle scene, this is probably the best place to start. Like all Hanayama's puzzles, it's built rock-solid and will never bend or break unless you're really trying to, so it'll basically last forever. And it only has two pieces (which are pretty big), so it'll also be pretty tough to loose one of the parts. If you're seeking a serious challenge, this is decidedly NOT going to be it. This is just a casual puzzle that's pretty to look at and fun to play with. I honestly couldn't recommend this enough for someone who's either new to puzzles, or just wants an awesome desk toy. For people who have experience solving these types of puzzles, this one is admittedly going to be pretty easy to solve. HOWEVER... finding the "optimal" solution to this puzzle (i.e., the solution which removes the gear in the fewest possible moves, starting from the position with the two slotted teeth of the gear resting in the face with those two grooves) is indeed extremely challenging, even for advanced puzzlers. So, if you've finished solving this puzzle and are looking for an extra challenge to keep you occupied, see if you can reason out the most efficient solution! Although I have never seen Hanayama's official solution to this puzzle, I can tell you with confidence that the 'minimum' number of steps needed to solve this puzzle is 10. (Or alternately, 17 steps, if you choose to count 'twisting the gear' as a step.) If your solution involves more than 10 movements of the gear, it is not the optimal one. **Note: I found this solution computationally, so I'm fairly convinced that it's the correct one. (Writing a computational model of this puzzle was an awfully fun challenge in and of itself... I invite you to try it!) However, if you've found a solution that involves fewer than 10 steps, please let me know! Or, if you're interested in seeing my solution, just ask and I'll send it to you.**

This was a great puzzle for my 8-year-old, not too hard but definitely not too easy. I personally depend very heavily on reviews that are posted on Amazon, as do many other consumers. I not only read what reviewers say, but look to see what their pictures reveal about a products true quality and description. I aim to not only feature the products I review in many different aspects, analyzing many qualities, I also provide my own opinions on ALL the good AND bad experiences I have with the product I review. I take time to learn and use a product as it was intended before I review it, and I have used this specific product thoroughly. My rating system: 5 - Met all my expectations. Was described and pictured perfectly. Exactly what I wanted and needed. Extremely useful product and a great value. Would recommend to family and friends. 4 - Very good product. Exactly as described. May have a minor flaw, mentioned in the review, that does not detract from the products perceived value. Would recommend to family and friends. 3 - Average product. Not exactly as described, or misleading advertising or product pictures. Possibly substandard build quality, or something else explained in the review. Would mention as an option to family and friends, but not recommend. 2 - Wouldn't recommend this product. Poor build quality, not close to being as described. Flimsy and fragile. Difficult to use due to product flaws. 1 - Do not purchase whatsoever. Usually only given if product lasts only a few hours/days/etc. I do not leave 1 star reviews without contacting the seller. I will be returning the product. I did NOT receive ANY discount for this product. I simply enjoy reviewing every one of my purchases.

This puzzle requires you to maneuver the gear around the cube, rotating it from a hole in one side to the hole in an adjacent side and twisting it in a hole until a certain cog of the gear is in a certain hole and the gear can be removed. The reader is warned that the solution is not included with the puzzle. I did not see that the "key word" provided was any help. One way to find a solution is to identify all the states in which the puzzle can be. Then create a graph where each node represents a state and draw a line with an arrow from one node to another exactly when it is possible to get from that state to the other state. This will allow a systematic search of all the paths through the states, eventually leading to a solution. The solution can also be found via a web search, as can other information about puzzles, their classification, and ways to solve them. This puzzle is made of sturdy metal with an attractive finish and looks great. The cube is about 1 3/8 inches on a side and the whole has a height of about 3.25 inches. I found it pleasant to handle the puzzle and maneuver the gear around the cube. I think it is worth the price whether you have a solution or not.

Did it without much lighting and got it apart without really seeing how. A level 3 to get apart, sure. But on par (or harder) with the level 4 Coaster for reassembly. A level 5 if you weren’t paying attention like I was. Had to take a peek at the solution video, lol. Great quality, fun, albeit frustrating if you don’t pay attention to how you get it apart.

El diseño como en todos los demás rompecabezas es excepcional, hay tanto detalle que no hay forma de tomar un atajo tratando de forzar las partes, la calidad del material es muy buena, puedes sentir que tan robusto es al manipularlo, lo recomiendo ampliamente la solución esta bastante interesante solo basta checar los pequeños detalles, pero eso si, el grado de complejidad no es tan sencillo. Uno de mis favoritos lo recomiendo, ampliamente! Nota: Los puzzles de novel 1 a 3 te entretienen y son de complejidad media baja. Los puzzles de 4 a 6 incrementan el reto ampliamente, debes ser paciente y analítico porque no es nada fácil.

For a level 3 (out of 6) this puzzle took a bit longer than expected. Once you've solved this puzzle once it's very easy to solve again. Good puzzle for kids and the not so experienced puzzle solvers.

Challenging even when you know the solution

Awesome puzzle, so twisted :-)

An amazing metal puzzle..I was able to solve it in a few tries..but this is an excellent show piece !