I bought this at a bookstore here, and they are quite addictive. What is the generic name for this puzzles?

Those puzzles are usually called disentanglement puzzles.

thanks TomZ.

Rex Perez

when you get bored, search for this one: "Enigma"

It's supposed to be real hard.

I also think there are even harder ones.

There are a huge variety of [disen]tanglement puzzles. If you're interested, you can find some information about other designs, and many links to potential places to buy various designs, on my site:
http://robspuzzlepage.com/tanglement.htm

The versions you have are in the subcategory of "hard wire" designs:
http://robspuzzlepage.com/tanglement.htm#hardsetsmod

Also, the bent nails category:
http://robspuzzlepage.com/tanglement.htm#nails

Yes, the enigma is one of the hardest ones. Hanayama makes a good version of it.

I would recommend www.puzzles.ca - Livewire Puzzles if you'd like to get a collection started, that's what I did years ago. Frank's a really nice guy.

-d

Thanks for the links!!! I really appreciate it. Maybe I will now start collecting puzzles like this.

My ex-girl friend saw those three puzzles and ask me where did I bought it. I told her Where and she bought one set for her and one set for me.

I have a small collection of Tavern Puzzles. I'm hoping to get Traveler's Woe, Iron Heart, and the Patience Puzzle.

Don't overlook this little trick!

Many tanglement puzzles like the one in the first picture can be assembled a second way, which can pose an unexpected challenge. After disassembling, turn one piece around and reassemble with one piece flipped.

For example, here's how people ordinarily assemble the Bent Nails puzzle by sliding the two points into the loop of the other piece:



Instead of the standard method turn one piece around like this so the point of one piece is going through a loop, and the nailhead of the other piece is going through a loop:



After assembling the puzzle this unusual way set it down and take your hands off it. Then pick it up and try to disassemble it normally. You'll probably be surprised!

This is a surprisingly effective (but harmless) prank to pull on someone who's memorized the solution to one of these puzzles, especially if they don't see you flip the piece. The better they 'know' the solution, the harder they'll find it to solve!

I noticed that also. My friends are very annoying that they really think they are smart solving those puzzles, after all, they just memorized how I solved it.

Rex Perez