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| Designer | : | Stewart Coffin | ||
| Craftsman | : | Stewart Coffin (1st - 4th) Tom Lensch (5th & 6th) Lee Krasnow (7th) | ||
| Category | : | Take-Apart | ||
| Material | : | Honduras Mahogany (1st & 2nd) Brazilian Rosewood (3rd) Unknown (4th) Walnut (5th & 6th) Bolivian Rosewood, Cambodian Rosewood, Macassar Ebony, Gaboon Ebony, Cocobolo & Maple (7th) | ||
| Pieces | : | 2 | ||
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Stewart's Three-Piece Block puzzle proves that a puzzle need not have many pieces to be interesting and difficult. But two? The puzzle has the shape of a rhombic dodecahedron with two mirror image parts. When carefully made, the seams do not give away where it separates. The natural tendency is to grasp opposite faces when trying to open the puzzle. This will never work. You need to use a three finger grasp with both hands having the fingers from one hand on every other face. Then hunt systematically until you find the correct orientation. I usually hand the puzzle in a partially open state to someone and then have them slowly close the puzzle and then try to open it. When the first attempts fail, they quickly lose the correct orientation with which it began and the frustration begins. A diabolical puzzle if there ever was one! Stewart made 150 from 1971 to 1985. Number 52 in his numbering system.
See the Button Box for a variation. Also, the Pennydoodle puzzle uses three and a half Pennyhedrons making a puzzle that is fun to play with.
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