This was posted 5 years 1 month 10 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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Hanayama Cast Metal Level 5 Puzzles - $9.80 & $6.47 + Delivery ($0 with Prime/$39 Spend) @ Amazon US via AU

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[Edit] The Vortex is the (now third) cheapest official Hanayama Cast Metal Disentanglement Puzzle / Brainteaser currently on the market. Most start at upwards of $15 from Amazon, Ebay sellers or places where all good puzzles are solved.

"The three pieces each have a spiral (vortex) body and two protrusions. When assembled together, each piece is unified into a flat object. In order to undo this complex entanglement it will be necessary to unbind them three dimensionally. The motivation behind this idea is the statue of Asura. Asura is an ancient Indian god and also a protector of Buddhism. The figure with the three faces and six arms conjured up the concept of Trinity. The subject is 'crest.'"

One of the highest rated puzzles from Hanayama - famed purveyors of Eastern manufacturing and frequent invitees to the most esteemed of Japanese tea-parties - the Vortex is rated at 4.5 from 823 Amazon reviews - and is also one of their most challenging puzzles, being listed at Level 5 of their 6 graded difficulty levels. Apparently, solving this complex puzzle will sometimes result in an expansion of cognitive capabilities, affording - amongst other things - a more profound understanding of why the Japanese Rugby World Cup is being unfathomably deconstructed by Northern Hemisphere "referees", often also resulting in the instantaneous bestowing of a more cromulent command of the English language, replete with words such as "purveyors" and "cromulent".

Currently delivered free - apparently along with all other international orders from Amazon US - for Prime members. Apologies to non-Prime members; I'm not yet smart enough to figure out how much extra you might have to pay for shipping.

With credit to donkcat and ElmoLikesWasabi, it's also possible to get the equally perplexing Hanayama Level 5 Ring II on backorder, or the slightly less taxing Level 1 Flag - albeit in the less impressive non-display packaging - for $6.47 each.

www.amazon.com.au/Hanayama-Cast-Metal-Brainteaser-Puzzles/dp…
www.amazon.com.au/Hanayama-Metal-Brain-Teaser-Puzzle/dp/B00T…

They may not turn you into Einstein, but they are is unlikely to make you any stupider - so why not give them a crack…

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.

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closed Comments

  • +3

    long time no see, uncle Rico

    • +8

      Lamentably so.

      Some would champion the prudent investment of $9.50, but after pursuing this deal a year ago; https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/472006 - I have been stuck in my bedroom trying to solve it ever since.

      Here's hoping that the family have used the time productively to find themselves and reflect on the joy I used to bring to the household…

  • +1

    Thank you OP. Ordered one.

    • +1

      Glad to hear it. It's got to beat Sudoku or guzzling Fish Oil by the metric fooktonne!

  • If it came with the 24 piece set I'll be all over it

  • Just ordered one. Will leave on my coffee table for guests

  • +2

    Thanks OP, also bought this one on back order for $6.45
    https://www.amazon.com.au/Hanayama-Cast-Metal-Brainteaser-Pu…

    • Thanks. Also ordered that one as well.

    • +3

      Outstanding find! I have updated the post to include your cheapest ever deal in the original post.

      You have stolen my thunder and my heart…

      • +1

        Now 20?

        • Same, only available via 3rd party seller…

          :(

  • Mum always said I was a puzzle. Now I'm the second cheapest Offical!

  • Cheers OP, I finished their Cylinder one a few months ago and have been waiting to get some new ones. Picked up both. Cheers!

  • +2
    • Thanks. Ordered that one as well.

    • +1

      Cheers - OP updated.

      Whilst I know it doesn't make any difference to the puzzle, the new packaging is much less impressive than the original black and gold, or more recent green display boxes; making them less appealing displayed on a shelf. I'd ordered the flag as well and will see how the build quality compares.

  • +1

    These are awesome little puzzles. I bought the cylinder last time it was on sale and loved it. I have since purchased heaps more of these puzzles. Highly recommended them!

  • Cheers OP, ordered the 'Vortex' & 'Flag'…

  • +2

    Thanks op. I got the ring puzzle today, was supposed to study it before dismantling it, but then it just accidentally dismantled and I have no idea how to turn it back into a ring. I'll figure it out one day…

    • +2

      Most welcome!

      I've received all three and was please to see that contrary to some of the photos, all three came in the green-boxed, windowed display packaging. Flag was solved inside half and hour, but both the Vortex and Ring are putting up a fight…

      • +1

        Hey, as long as you can throw a pig-skin over them mountains I will always be impressed Uncle Rico.

        • +1

          Spock, I reckon you know a lot about…cyberspace?

      • I solved flag in about 10-15mins.. As for Vortex, well… I successfully got all 3 rings apart (took some hours), getting it back together properly is proving most difficult though…

        Spewing i missed the deal for 'ring' puzzle.

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