Tetso Puzzles is devoted to premium recreations of classic puzzles that carry forward a century-old tradition while incorporating contemporary craftsmanship and clever designs. If you love the feeling of weighty brass in your hand, the hush of perfectly mated tolerances, and the “no force, only insight” ethos, Tetso sits right in your sweet spot.
At Kubiya Games, we’re proud to curate Tetso’s growing line because it embodies what the best mechanical puzzles have always promised: elegant ideas, honest materials, and that rare moment when a simple object teaches you to see differently.
Tetso’s Approach
Classic mechanical puzzles - disentanglements, cages, bolts, and sequential mechanisms - originated as traveling curiosities and gentlemen’s diversions long before the age of screens. The best of them endure not because they’re flashy, but because they compress a surprising idea into a deceptively straightforward form. Tetso’s mission is to preserve those timeless ideas while upgrading the execution: tighter tolerances, robust metals, smoother hand feel, and finishes that age beautifully without losing function.
In other words, Tetso is not trying to reinvent puzzling from scratch; they’re polishing a proven language of mechanisms until it sings in modern metal.
Inside Tetso’s Work Process
1) Research & selection.
Each Tetso design begins in the archives - historical catalogs, museum pieces, private collections, and the broader lineage of mechanical problem-solving. The team studies how the original mechanism worked, what made it delightful, and where solvers typically struggle or brute-force their way through. The objective is to preserve the idea while elevating the experience.
2) Concept brief.
Before any machining happens, Tetso defines the puzzle’s constraints: no-force solves, damage-free manipulation, and a level target (beginner, medium, or expert). They also decide the “story” each object tells - Is it a cage concealing an unexpected pathway? A bolt that seems impossible to thread? A sequence that asks for calm, careful observation?
3) Digital modeling & prototyping.
The team models components in CAD and builds prototypes using both rapid methods (3D prints for geometry checks) and metal machining for functional tests. This is where tolerances get tuned: a washer that’s 0.1 mm too thick can ruin a reveal; a hole that’s too perfect can unintentionally reveal a shortcut. Iteration here is everything.
4) Materials & finishes.
Tetso favors brass and steel for good reasons. Brass machines cleanly, carries satisfying weight, resists corrosion, and develops a handsome patina over time. Steel provides strength, crisp edges, and structural stability - ideal for rods, pins, and cages. Finishes are chosen to reduce glare, add grip, and highlight machining lines without hiding the honesty of the metal.
5) Haptics & “feel.”
Great puzzles are tactile. Tetso spends real time on the “hand conversation”: how parts click into place, how the chain flows, how the nut bites the threads when you finally align things correctly. That micro-feedback is what turns a collection piece into a living mechanism.
6) Durability & safety checks.
Every design is tested against the cardinal rule: no force, no damage. If a solver can accidentally “solve” by bending something, it isn’t ready. Tetso refines clearances, surface prep, and stop points so that the right sequence is logical, durable, and repeatable.
7) Finishing & presentation.
Final parts are deburred, cleaned, and finished to a consistent standard. Packaging is minimal and sturdy - intended to protect the object and present it as a piece of functional design, not a disposable gadget. The result is a puzzle that feels like it could have been on your grandfather’s desk and still earn a place on a modern design shelf.
Explore Tetso at Kubiya Games
You can browse the latest releases and restocks here:
👉 Tetso Collection at Kubiya Games: https://kubiyagames.com/collections/tetso-puzzles
Expect clean, industrial forms - cages, bolts, orbs, chains—where the trick isn’t hidden by gimmicks but encoded in geometry and order of operations. Difficulty levels skew from approachable to demanding, but always reward patience and careful observation over brute strength.
Who Tetso Puzzles Are For
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Curious beginners who want a meaningful step up from entry-level brain teasers. Tetso’s medium-difficulty pieces encourage better habits: slow inspection, hypothesis testing, and gentle manipulation.
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Experienced solvers and collectors who appreciate machining quality, tight tolerances, and mechanisms that respect the classics while feeling distinctly contemporary.
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Design lovers who value objects that do double duty—display-worthy sculpture by day, meditative problem-solving by night.
Why Brass & Steel?
Materials matter. Brass has a density and warmth that makes each motion feel consequential; it’s also forgiving enough to machine to crisp tolerances. Steel—especially in rods, fasteners, and structural elements—adds strength and dimensional stability so parts keep their shape through years of handling. Together, they give puzzles the longevity they deserve, along with a patina that tells the story of your time with the piece.
Kindred Makers in the Metal Puzzle World
Tetso is part of a thriving ecosystem of metal-forward mechanical puzzle makers. A few kindred names you might recognize:
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Hanayama (Japan): Iconic cast-metal puzzles with clean, repeatable solves and a vast range of difficulties - perfect for building foundational skills.
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Wil Strijbos (Netherlands): Legendary designer of precision-machined pieces with layered sequences and devious misdirection.
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Felix Ure (UK): Modern brass puzzles with striking industrial aesthetics and extremely precise fits.
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Two Brass Monkeys (UK): Machinist-led workshop producing clever, collectible brass designs with a playful twist.
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Craighill (USA): Design studio creating elegant, sculptural metal puzzles that balance aesthetics and approachable challenge.
Each brings a distinct voice, but all share Tetso’s commitment to honest materials, clever mechanisms, and craftsmanship you can feel.
What’s Next: Premium Metal Puzzles & New Collaborations
The most exciting news? Tetso will soon be expanding into a Premium Metal line, pushing tolerances even tighter, experimenting with advanced finishes, and exploring multi-material builds that open fresh mechanical possibilities. In parallel, Tetso is collaborating with new creators—engineers, artists, and veteran puzzle inventors—to develop original designs that complement the classics without duplicating them.
If you love the idea of a bolt puzzle with a surprising internal geometry, a cage that teaches a brand-new spatial trick, or a sequential discovery piece built entirely in metal—keep your eyes on Tetso. These next-generation releases aim to raise the ceiling on what a compact mechanical object can do, while staying true to the guidance that makes puzzling joyful: no force, no damage, just insight.
How to Get Involved
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Browse and pre-order: See what’s in stock and what’s coming soon in the Tetso Collection. Popular pieces move fast—if you see something that sparks your curiosity, don’t wait.
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Share your solve ethos: Post your journey (no spoilers!) and tag us. The best part of this community is watching someone else’s “aha” moment arrive.
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Tell us what you want next: Looking for a certain style—locks, bolts, cages, or sequential discovery? Your feedback helps guide which historical mechanisms Tetso revives and how the premium line evolves.
The Bottom Line
Tetso Puzzles honors mechanical history without getting stuck in it. By pairing classic ideas with modern machining and a relentless focus on tactile clarity, Tetso builds objects that are as satisfying to hold as they are to solve. Whether you’re a first-time solver ready to step up or a seasoned collector chasing fresh surprises, Tetso delivers the same promise every time: no gimmicks, no shortcuts—just beautifully made metal that rewards attention with revelation.