Unlock the Padlock
The Hanayama Cast Padlock Puzzle takes the familiar shape of a padlock and turns it into a compact mechanical challenge.
Designed by Korean puzzle designer JinHoo Ahn, Padlock is made from four cast-metal pieces: two elliptical outer pieces and two circular inner pieces that lock together tightly.
The objective is to separate the components completely, then figure out how to put them back together.
What Type of Puzzle Is It?
Padlock is a take-apart puzzle.
The difficulty comes from the way the four pieces restrict one another. At first, the structure appears firmly locked, and the path to separation is not obvious.
The solver has to experiment with rotation, alignment, and the relationship between the elliptical and circular pieces until the mechanism begins to make sense.
Once the puzzle is apart, reassembly becomes a second challenge.
Designed by JinHoo Ahn
JinHoo Ahn is known for mechanical puzzle designs that create a lot of difficulty from a small number of parts.
Padlock follows that approach closely. There are only four pieces, but each one plays a precise role in the structure, and the correct sequence of movements is easy to miss.
The official theme of the puzzle is "obstinacy", which fits the experience well. The puzzle resists obvious attempts and rewards persistence and careful observation.
Four Pieces, One Tight Mechanism
Padlock does not rely on hidden tools, magnets, or a long sequence of discoveries.
Everything you need is visible.
The challenge comes from understanding how the four metal forms interact and finding the orientation that allows them to release.
That makes Padlock a satisfying puzzle for solvers who enjoy mechanical relationships they can study directly, rather than concealed internal mechanisms.
A Medium-Difficulty Hanayama Challenge
Kubiya rates Padlock at 3/5 difficulty, placing it in the middle of the Hanayama range.
It is approachable enough for someone with some mechanical puzzle experience, but still challenging enough to resist random trial and error.
Padlock is a strong choice for:
- Hanayama collectors
- take-apart puzzle fans
- fans of JinHoo Ahn
- metal puzzle enthusiasts
- adults and teens
- solvers who enjoy compact interlocking mechanisms
