Oli's Puzzle Blog

[03SVTCobra]

Are those new dovetails from Wil?

[TheJuggler]

Yes, indeed they are

[Paradox]

A new blog post is up with a series of mini reviews for the whole Karakuri Small Box series:

Karakuri Small Box Series - Oli's Mechanical Puzzle Blog


Small Box Set (Karakuri Creation Group) by Puzzleparadox, on Flickr

Lovely little things!

[Paradox]

A few new interesting plastic puzzles that I'm currently puzzling over:


Rubik's Shells (OddzOn) by Puzzleparadox, on Flickr

Rubik's Rings (OddzOn) by Puzzleparadox, on Flickr

Magic 8 Panel (Ghost Hand) by Puzzleparadox, on Flickr

Dioctipoid 1.0 & 2.0 by Puzzleparadox, on Flickr

2x3x3 Domino by Puzzleparadox, on Flickr

[Paradox]

Check out the teeny tiny Ghost Cube!


Ghost Cube - Mini by Puzzleparadox, on Flickr

Ghost Cube - Mini by Puzzleparadox, on Flickr

Awwwwwww.

[kev1n]

I have a full sized ghost cube (reverse colouring to yours) - have you managed to solve it without using photos?

I haven't dared scramble it yet! Although to be fair, I have been concentrating on several other twisties recently!
Just done the 3x3 and 4x4 mixup plus cubes - they are a really nice challenge!

[Paradox]

I haven't dared to scramble my one either. This tiny little thing scares me from a puzzle perspective!

Maybe I'll give a Ghost Cube a go eventually, but I'll probably wait for a full size one.

[Fabregas485]

So, would I be right in thinking the aim is to make it a square again, or is it acertain patten thats needed?

[03SVTCobra]

I think I had something like those magic 8's as a kid. I have been trying to figure out what it was for years. I vaguely remembered what it looked like and how it worked but couldnt figure out what it was called. I think I know now!

[kev1n]

So, would I be right in thinking the aim is to make it a square again, or is it acertain patten thats needed?

The ghost cube is probably the ultimate mod of a 3x3 cube! When scrambled it becomes a terrible mess!

First there are no colours to help - it is all done on shape!
Second the axis is twisted - on Oli's pic you can see that the top, middle and bottom slices are at a very jaunty angle!!
Finally (and the real challenge), the remaining vertical slices back/front & left/right do not exist until the top, middle and bottom slices are twisted off centre to line them up!!! This is completely disorientating and means you cannot really plan moves ahead. In fact you can't even see what pieces are in what position easily!!!!

So you are absolutely right - the aim is "to make it square again" but this is quite an understatement.

I have the full sized Ghost cube and am just psyching myself up to trying it!
I also have a Master Ghost cube which is the 4x4 version and it is sitting on my shelf making rude signs at me and questioning my puzzle manhood!
I am also negotiating the purchase of a 5x5 (Professor) Ghost cube but as all of these are hand made, they do get very expensive!