Quagmire Puzzles Boxes and Kamei Die Box
Here are a couple of boxes that I purchased from Quagmire Puzzle Boxes. I heard about Quagmire Puzzle Boxes via Cleverwood, and they were some of the first non-traditional style puzzle boxes I was aware of. Randal Gatewood is the man behind Quagmire.
Quagmire Puzzle Boxes: "Uncle Herbart Stash & Stow Box"
Quagmire Puzzle Boxes: "Box Joint Box"
Prior to these boxes, Gatewood made more expensive limited edition boxes. These are his two original-design, non-limited edition boxes. The Uncle Herbart box is listed as having 8 moves and being moderately difficult, whereas the Box Joint Box has 6 moves but is more difficult.
I had to break down and look at the provided solutions for both. They are similar in that they both are solved by moving the box into a series of different orientations. I find that it’s practically impossible to find the “official” solution. My coworkers have had the same experience. However, due to the nature of the construction, I was able to get the Uncle Herbart box to open and later lock by rotating it randomly in different ways.
I was not able to open the Box Joint Box without looking at the solution. However, my coworkers were all able to open it by “picking” it – basically, rattling it around, moving the lid a little bit, and repeating until they opened it. The same was true for the Akio Kamei die box:
Akio Kamei: "Die Box"
Nobody go the real solution, which I think is exceptionally clever. This is the only box I have that is not only designed by Akio Kamei, but also actually made by him (or under his direct supervision). I have some reproductions made by Bits and Pieces, but they are of much lower quality (though much cheaper).
