Back in 2011, Phil Tomlinson came out with his first puzzle box, The Always Empty Box, which I was very pleased to be able to obtain a copy, and was really impressed with his first attempt. Well Phil has now produced his second puzzle box, the Don’t Shout box, and I’m pleased to say it’s every bit as good as the first.

Don’t Shout by Phil Tomlinson

Looking very similar to his first box, and being the same size, the two puzzles look great together. Measuring 3-1/4″ x 3-1/2″ x 5-1/4″, the only external difference to the original puzzle is the addition of a stripe across the top of the box. Phil produced two options, with either a Maple stripe, or a Wenge Stripe across the centre. I opted for the Wenge, however there’s no difference between the mechanisms. It’s all down to personal preference, and I really like the look of Wenge.

Despite the two puzzle boxes looking the same, I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that the opening mechanisms are completely different between each puzzle. Before playing with the new puzzle, I took the original out of my collection and re-opened it. I’m pleased to say that despite knowing how to open it, I’d forgotten one step, and had to spend a good five minutes to figure out how to open it again. It’s still a great puzzle, and made me smile re-opening it. Putting aside the Always Empty Box, I turned my attention to the Don’t Shout.

Puzzle Box Brothers

Phil gave the same great puzzle documents with the box as he did on the first box, including feeding instructions for the box. It may seem silly, but it’s a great touch, and really shows that Phil is putting a lot of himself into his puzzles. Very quickly you’ll find that the hints of the first puzzle are present here, however it certainly doesn’t act the same way. The first move is going to be fairly familiar for fans of the Japanese sliding puzzle box, but that’s where the similarity ends. The next move is great, and totally unexpected. After that there’s some symmetry to the solution, until the last move which will once again challenge you to find out how the box opens. That final move reminds me a lot of Phil’s first box in that it was a great motion, and was easy to miss or prevent yourself from opening the puzzle due to some clumsy fingering.

Don’t shout Open

Thanks Phil, you’ve made another great box, and I’m pleased that I have been able to add both of your boxes to my collection. They’re great puzzles, and if you see one for sale, pick it up. It’s unusual, and well worth a place on the puzzle shelves. There’s apparently a nod to the opening mechanism in the name. I needed a small hint from Phil to understand the reference, but it is there, and it is clever.