Hanayama 7145 Vortex Brain Teaser Puzzle

My husband is someone who loves brain teasers, buys the hardest puzzles, and typically solves them within 10 minutes. While I love that he's such a left-brained thinker, it frustrates me to no end when I buy him a puzzle and he solves it immediately because then I wonder if it's really worth spending the money on puzzles for him. Well, this past Christmas, I decided to search on here for some of the hardest puzzles I could find (that he didn't already have, of course) and see if I could stump him, which is one of my goals in life. He already owned some of the Hanayama puzzles and, after searching through them and researching extensively on here, I decided to purchase the Vortex puzzle for him. The Hanayama puzzles are made of cast metal in China and are rated based on their difficulty. The level six puzzles are considered extremely difficult. This particular puzzle is a level five, which wasn't on my radar since I was mainly searching for level six puzzles but many reviewers said this one was very difficult. All of these puzzles come in a nice green box, which makes it easy to give them as gifts. I put these in my husband's stocking and they are a great size for it. Since receiving this puzzle, my husband has worked on it on and off, which means...he didn't solve it within 10 minutes and that makes this puzzle worth every penny!!!! He recently solved it after about an hour and 45 minutes of work and then he finally managed to put it back together. He said putting it back together was a lot harder than taking it apart. IF you find yourself in a bind and need a little assistance, there are videos online that you can use to help get you to that next step. My husband seriously loves these puzzles because he likes to figure out how things work and this one was a great purchase for part of his Christmas present! I, personally, have not tried this puzzle nor do I intend to, since my brain doesn't really work that way but I was delighted that this turned out to stump my husband. I was surprised that this one was a level five since those aren't as difficult as the level six puzzles, although they are obviously still difficult. If you, or someone you know, loves brain teasers and you need a VERY difficult puzzle, I highly recommend this one. Hanayama puzzles are well-made and small enough for you to stash in your desk drawer at work (Shhhh...don't tell your boss!), in your pocket, or to take on a trip. I'm already searching for my next purchase for my husband and, even though he won't admit it, he loves a good challenge... as do I!

Puzzle was well packaged and appears very well built. The puzzle is entertaining, but not extremely challenging. Just added to my collection. Makes a good fidgit toy.

Solid steel puzzle. It's heavy. Feels durable. People who come home find it quite interesting.

Hanayama puzzles are beautiful and very well built. This puzzle is quite difficult ...I have made my family members addicted to this one. I keep setting it back to start so that they can try once they are stuck. Really nice tricks and complex moves in this. Really amazed of the person/team that built this.

It's OK whit me!