Z-Cube Wooden Puzzle

Wooden Puzzle – Kongming and Luban Locks

This wooden puzzle is a classic brain teaser made of interlocking wooden pieces. Most versions in this offer are Chinese Kongming and Luban locks, known around the world as burr puzzles. First you have to take the lock apart without breaking any piece, and then put it back together. The second part is usually much harder.

How it works

Unlike a 3x3 cube, nothing rotates here. You slide the pieces to find the one that comes out first, and you memorize the order in which you take the puzzle apart. Speed doesn't matter here. What counts is spatial imagination, patience and logical thinking. The puzzle works well as a break from cubes or as something to do on a quiet evening.

Available versions

In the version selection menu you will find dozens of designs, including:

• classic locks: Kong Mingsuo Barrel, Kong Mingsuo Wisdom of the World, Gossip Lock, Triangle Lock, Satellite lock, Latency, 14 column,
• beech wood versions: Beech Chinese, Beech Ming Lock, Beech Well Lock, Beech 24 Lock, Beech Plum Lock,
• two-color versions: Two-color blockade, Two-color Eighteen Arhats, Two-tone wood knot,
• solids and balls: Pineapple Ball, Hexagonal ball, Ball in the cage, Globe, Egg,
• other designs: ShengLong Pendulum, Blockade, Eighteen Arhats, Large dragon-trail, Lilac Flower, Gemini.

The versions differ in shape, number of pieces and difficulty level. That's why it's a good idea to choose several different models rather than several similar ones.

Build

• Material: solid wood
• No plastic or metal parts, no batteries
• Size and number of pieces depend on the selected version

Who is it for?

This wooden brain teaser makes a great gift for both kids and adults. Age doesn't really matter here – what matters more is a love of puzzles. Younger children may need some help the first time, because assembling a lock from scratch on your own can be really difficult.