I picked up some metal disentanglement puzzles at the local Salvation Army. After some googling, they're producted by Heritage, and called Crackerjack, Jackaroo's Stirrup, and Blacksmith's Bell.

Crackerjack was simple enough, but does anyone know the solution to Jackaroo's Stirrup or Blacksmith's Bell? I must have a dozen hours sunk on these things and they're driving me crazy.

Here are links to the puzzles in question if it helps jog any memories:

Blacksmith's Bell
Jackaroo's Stirrup

Edit: Solutions Found under different names for the puzzles. I won't post them here so as not to ruin anyone's fun.

There are many such puzzles, which I call "topological".

I am not sure about the solution, as I need to have the puzzle
in my hands. But for those who like such puzzles, I would certainly
recommend the ones made by Hanayama (e.g. Enigma, Radix,
Helix, Laby, Equa, Chain, etc).




Pantazis

The enigma is SO EVIL. after I finally got it apart, I was worried about losing one of the pieces and had to search how to get it back together.

Yes, the Enigma is one of the hardest ones to solve, if not *the* hardest!!!




Pantazis

The "Cast Marble" puzzle by Hanayama (designed by Oskar and Bram) is not very difficult but easily one of the most satisfying and elegant cast metal puzzle I've ever played with. Sure this topic is about *disentanglement* puzzles but its worth mentioning

Marble is one I want, but I never see at any of my stores and don't quite want enough to order yet.

Baroq, though, is one of my favorites.

Believe it or not, those puzzles are copies of designs by Dennis Sucilsky at Tucker-Jones House.
http://www.tavernpuzzle.com/index.htm

His Tavern Puzzles include Tinker's Bell and Clef Hanger which look topologically equivalent to the puzzles you cite.

You can find the solutions here:
http://www.tavernpuzzle.com/solutions/solutions.htm

If you're interested in other [disen]tanglement puzzles, you might like to peruse my site:
http://robspuzzlepage.com/tanglement.htm

I had heard this before getting one - so I was positively elated when I solved it without looking it up. And of course, now the pieces are in a bag because I can't get it back together again.

Exactly that! I was too worried about losing them and looked up how to get it back together, and now I can't get apart again.

I would say the enigma is the hardest one I have so far. I still haven't solved it yet. I find the best way to solve it when having trouble is to put it down for a few weeks and go back to it. Magically it will get solved easier.
Back about ten years ago (I lived in Hinsdale back then according to the comments), I had trouble with the
Trouble Clef. But once you know how to do that one it's easy, it's just any wrong thing you do tangles it up really bad.
http://www.puzzles.ca/information/cust_ ... eclef.html

But yeah, all of the Hanayama puzzles are great.

-d

the bell ...just pinch the wishbone part a little i think...i have a fair few of these and ive solved all of em so far...2 without even looking and going just by feel...would like to have a go at this one looks fun.