Cubetresor is a Vinco puzzle which I recently received from Puzzle Master to review. The goal of the puzzle is to “open” the cube, however the rattling coming from inside the puzzle hints at something clever going on inside. Given that the puzzle arrives shrink wrapped in plastic, there’s no real clue as to what it could be.
Cubetresor by Vinco
As you can see this is another beautiful looking puzzle from the workshop of Vaclav Obsivac, measuring 2.5″ x 2.5″ x 2.5″. To be honest, I’ve never seen anything from Vinco that’s not both stunning to look at, and perfectly made. It comes as I mentioned shrink wrapped in plastic, with a small folded paper sheet showing the difficulty and an Ikea style diagram giving you the goal of the puzzle. The solution is given inside the folded paper, so don’t open it if you don’t want to know, but really this isn’t difficult. I should mention, if you’ve not visited Vinco’s website recently, then go have a look. He’s redesigned and cleaned up the website, and is adding lots of new information about the woods he uses, and how he gets them. Well worth a read!
The Cubetresor pieces
As I’ve mentioned with a couple of Vinco’s creations, some are less puzzle and more curiosity/art. I feel that the Cubetressor fits into this category as well. Vinco’s own description of the puzzle lists it at a four piece puzzle, but I’m going to revise that and say it’s a five piece puzzle. You’ll remember that I mentioned a rattling sound coming from the puzzle before I opened it. Well as far as I’m concerned that’s the fifth piece. After all it is a piece, and it’s inside the puzzle.
This isn’t a difficult puzzle, and I doubt anyone will have problems in opening it. As ever it looks great, and isn’t an expensive puzzle, so I’d say pick it up. If you don’t want to know more, then stop reading here. If you want more info, including some spoilers, then click the link. Note: I’ll show you that fifth piece, and also how it opens
Ok, so you decided you wanted more.
I try to be very careful when writing a review not to spoil the puzzle for other puzzlers. The reason I’ve decided to show more for Cubetresor is that it’s really not a puzzle. The cube’s design is such that it will neatly fall apart with little work, as such there’s little puzzle element to it.
All of the Cubetresor pieces
I love this puzzle though. Why I hear you ask? Well my reasons are simple. It’s designed to throw puzzlers off. That rattling sound is, as you can see, little more than a wooden ball bearing, which has nothing to do with the puzzle other than intimidate seasoned puzzlers! Great!
One way to open the cube
The other way to open the cube
The real beauty of the puzzle is that there’s not just one way for the puzzle to separate, but two. Depending on how you hold the pieces when you pull apart, will depend on how the two halves come apart. As you can see from the pieces, we have two pairs of pieces which are joined together into one ‘piece’, then the pairs slid together. Interestingly, all pieces are identical. Unlike the Cube Vinco, where there’s only one way for the pieces to combine, this puzzle has two ways, and results in very different opening patterns. I just love that aspect, and think the puzzle is worth owning for that alone!
I do feel that it’s not really a puzzle, as there’s very little in the way of challenge, but that doesn’t stop me recommending this. It’s a great gift, and would be perfect for any new puzzlers out there. Not a huge challenge, but the look when you show someone it does something unexpected and opens along both diagonals is priceless. You could even consider this as a stocking stuffer for the kids, as they’ll have great fun opening it one way, then the other. (Ok, maybe that’s just me!)