I met Uwe tonight for our weekly dinner. We chatted about family, old friends, old puzzles, and new ones yet to come

This post is heavily laden with both photos and news so read carefully. I simply don't have time in the rest of this week to answer any questions, so I've anticipated some (not all I know) and have attempted to answer them before they are asked. Post your questions, I'll get to them, but not until probably early next week. The bug's birthday is tomorrow, I work late and have to make it up to her by taking her to Disney on Thursday, Saturday, AND Sunday

OK, first: 3x3x3's. No, they were never made in England. Sorry, I didn't think to ask what countries they were made in. But they were assembled in England for a while. Not long though.

Second: the Christoph's Magic Jewel remake. The cores that have been used were the original cores that Meffert's used to make one of his puzzles in 1982 (can't remember the name-I'll pull out the catalogue between everything sometime this week and try to change this bit). Is this the exact puzzle Christoph made? Is the turning the same? Well, since I don't have an original I can't honestly tell you. Instead, I give you a few photos of the cores, and a comparison photo next to another jewel cube I have so you can judge for yourselves. Uwe did tell me he contacted another "puzzle collecting expert on this" (shhh that's a secret) But in the end, the first person to make this shape was Christoph, and Christoph's shall receive credit for it. A tribute to another great man.

Third: The "spinning tops" on Meffert's site. The 3x3x3 is in limited quantity. If you want them with the Meffert's labels, get them now. He's not purchasing any more. The 4x4x4. Unless there is more interest generated in this puzzle, he won't be selling it. As of last night, there was only one click showing interest on his webpage. It simply isn't worth the cost to him to even cut the labels. So if you want them, it's up to you to click that reserve button. (No, I'm not selling them. I have mine, so I don't care )

The Rex cube. I played with it tonight, and apparently mine is still with the couriers. it is a very smooth turning puzzle. I like the heft to it as well. Not super light, but not too heavy. Most definitely one to add to the collection.

Presentation of puzzles. I showed Uwe the Rox Box, and Child's Play this evening. He thought both were very nicely done. I didn't let him mess up the Child's Play because I was foolish and didn't take photos of the solved position. It took him a while to work out that it really wasn't "child's play" and was a serious puzzle. The Rox Box he thought was "A very special puzzle" He liked my name engraved on the side, and was even more impressed when he realized it was a maze. As I said, he thought they were nicely done.

Last thing I think. Jade club puzzles. Finally! I saw them tonight, and they are beautiful! As I told you they would be. The wait and many corrections to the masks paid off. There are no flaws in the painting. They are finally perfect. All are finished to the molding stage. But here's the kicker (and I know everyone is going to complain-but such is life) The puzzles are hand sprayed one piece at a time. It takes 20 minutes to paint one puzzle. Because these are so time consuming, Uwe has decided to wait to send them out until the first batch for Jade club members to date are finished. That way there can be no complaints about "He got his first, but I know I ordered before he did" While I know this will disappoint some of you, if you think about a marketplace sale recently, that is what happened with the long list of pm's sent. I think his decision is very sound.

Nope, this is the last thing. I want all of you to know that even I don't have the Jade puzzles yet. Only 2 people have a set of these, and it was an appeal of friendship and grief over the eminent loss of friends that persuaded Uwe to send out the two sets that have gone-imperfect as they were. One set was mailed to Frank. He received them a few weeks before he passed away. And I can tell you he was overwhelmed and very pleased that Uwe took the time and made the effort to make sure they got to him. The other set has gone to Christoph Bandelow for reasons I will not disclose. Let's just say it has to do with giving a great puzzle to a great man who means so much to the puzzling world.

Ok, ok, I know you are all tired of reading my post now so I will put up the photos. I can't guarantee the order. It is past 11 now and I'm dead on my feet but I promised Uwe I would put this up tonight. (the things I do for that man and love every minute of it)

If you want to see more, they are on facebook as always. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2057560&id=1138673266&l=b226f181e8

Lol... I just saw all this pictures on your facebook =P

Do you know when the white flower/Rex cube will be available ?

Ok, here they are:


The process from start to finish.


Clear plastic without any coating.


Held up to a light so you can see what it first looks like.


First layer of paint. This has a silvery sheen to it.


One side painted-this was the problematic side and as you can see, it is very nice now.


Cube


Opposite side of cube


Individual pieces from different angles so you can see the 'quality'

No, I don't have a finished product. I only have these prototypes so I could photograph them and post. Hopefully I'll get my finished one's before the rest of you But I'm not counting on it!

The Jade Puzzles look great and I'm glad that we'll get them soon. The only downside is that I'm getting the Jade Pyraminx rather than the 3x3x3 so I only get 4 cool patterns.

Alex

And I STILL can't log in to the jade club... although *i have n account... Is there a shop over there?

More thoughts on the evening; we pack a lot into a very short time.

The edges of those China made puzzles. They are rounded for toy safety. The puzzles that don't have rounded corners are NOT toys. A fine line (for me anyway since all of mine are 'toys') Golden Skewb's as an example, are not toys-hence teh sharper corners and edges.

Meffert's is working now with one of the 3 biggest toy companies (you can guess, but I'm not telling ) to make some of these puzzles more readily available throughout the world. This company wants to have the next "rubik's cube". I might have crossed wires here, but I believe that the first puzzle is The gear cube. While I was playing with one tonight (I just love the way it turns), I pinched my finger again. Uwe pointed out a bit of flash on the inside of the gears, and that will be removed in the next run. His son told him it felt 'squishy' after playing with it for a while, and I would like to know if any of you have experienced this. I've just been given another with the order to play it to death and look for the 'squishiness' Oh what fun that will be. I'll be a 24 hour cube twister. I may just have to hand it over in a class because my hands have gotten sore

The funny painted pyramid shaped puzzle is a prototype for a different kind of printing. Before you ask, NO it's not for sale. That has some odd designs on it that make no sense at all. Prototype only. And no, I don't have it.

He knows he hasn't fulfilled the one new puzzle a month, but if I'm counting right, he's getting close to 12. It was a valiant effort on his part to attempt this and I for one am glad he did. We should have 12 by December if there are no more molding problems or other issues. I'm a bit envious of some in this puzzle forum because they will get access to many new puzzles before I do. I live in the wrong part of the world (although, I guess I could beg-I've been known to call him up and say "hey, bring me a puzzle!"

Many old names (designers and puzzles) will be resurfacing in different ways in the coming year or so. Stay tuned. I can't tell you anymore than that, but I will say it is going to be a Beautiful Christmas this year.

all right, off to wrap the bugs birthday present. I sure hope she likes it!

These look great - That one lonesome tick for the 4x4 "spinning top" was from me...

Awesome! I cant wait to receive my Jade puzzles, if i ever do. Secondly, i hope Uwe remakes some of his out of stock puzzles. Hint Hint!


Chris

PS- I am super glad that Drew's puzzle landed in the lap of Uwe.

Yay! Now not long before the awesome Jade puzzles arrive! I'm looking forward to all these puzzles.

Actually I doubt it. I think he has a bug in the web page that likely lost your click as well as mine and surely others. I only wonder which one click made it through.

Then we are at least at two ticks I've klicked it too. Or is there a technical problem that counting stops at 1???
EDIT: I had not yet read this:I guess, I'll write an Email to Uwe.

Thank you for this, I can now sleep easy!

Thanks for that, that was very cool.

I also made a tick for the 4x4 "spinning top" - a bug perhaps.

There should also be a click from me on the first night. I clicked as soon as I received the message.

Anthony

I will pass on all your click responses

After consuming all my patience, the Jade Club puzzles finally come to production......At least good news.

What confuses me is that the Jewel puzzle is face-turning while the picture on the meffert's website has changed into corner turning one's. Does that mean both will be for sale?

I also clicked the 4x4 spinning top on the first day that the email came out.
So I think something is broken.

Nice post . Did he happen to mention going to the Dutch Cube Day again this year? I loved meeting him last year, such an interesting and nice man...