From Beginner to Pro: Hanayama's Wide Range of Puzzle Difficulty Level

Hanayama is a Japanese manufacturer of cast mechanical puzzles known for their high-quality and challenging designs. They started producing puzzles in 1983, and since then have grown their collection to include designs from various puzzle designers from around the world. The Hanayama puzzle collection includes a wide range of designs, from historical puzzles to new, unique designs such as the ABC puzzle and the Key puzzle by Nobuyuki Yoshigahara.

Hanayama rates their puzzles on a scale of 1 to 6, with 6 being the most challenging. Level 1 puzzles are designed to be fun and easy to understand the mechanics of, while level 6 puzzles require more creativity, strategy, and luck to solve. The first level focuses on developing an understanding of how mechanical puzzles work on a fundamental level, basic ideas that become the building blocks to solving tougher puzzles. Even the simple puzzle designs still take meaningful consideration, but without allowing frustration levels to build. Level 6, on the other hand, is for experienced puzzlers who understand the rules, and now must throw the rulebook out the window. These higher-level puzzles demand more creativity, mixed with strategy and a dash of luck, to be successful.

Hanayama tends to design in the realms of disentanglement puzzles, labyrinth puzzles, or puzzle lock mechanisms. Disentanglement puzzles in particular lend themselves well to a metal design because of the precision that can be applied to such durable building material. These designs are often visually striking, and the smoothness of the metal surface provides a satisfying tactile experience when handling the pieces.

Overall, Hanayama puzzles are known for their high-quality craftsmanship and challenging designs that are sure to keep puzzle enthusiasts engaged for hours on end. They are perfect for puzzle enthusiasts of all skill levels and make a great addition to any puzzle collection.