tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685551743349411127.post8139353174231036113..comments2024-03-23T13:04:39.696-04:00Comments on Notes from Puzzle Palace : Bits and Pieces-The company.Roxanne Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17218865433177555019noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685551743349411127.post-63637948060953373902013-06-15T05:40:34.017-04:002013-06-15T05:40:34.017-04:00The parts of EZ Unlink are made of a very flexible...The parts of EZ Unlink are made of a very flexible metal. Lucky Clover (Puzzle master) was of the unbeleivably poor quality. I did not even bother to solve these two - both went straight into a trash bin. My other puzzles from B&P and PM are better but still not even remotely close to Hanayamas in terms of quality.Whiskymakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13508796841665803814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685551743349411127.post-31271487466592985132012-10-09T11:30:28.297-04:002012-10-09T11:30:28.297-04:00It's a real shame that they can't up the q...It's a real shame that they can't up the quality control just a little bit. There isn't that much cost that goes into making a good puzzle. I've looked into it. Heck, I tried a plastic one. The B&P puzzles just need a tiny bit of attention and they could be very good puzzles. The ideas are great.<br /><br />And Scott I believe you, but since I've never ordered from Enigma...I can't imagine how I'd have gotten it. Serious puzzles maybe??? Does Enigma farm their puzzles out?Roxanne Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17218865433177555019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685551743349411127.post-19408467675457100362012-10-04T13:14:44.813-04:002012-10-04T13:14:44.813-04:00Don't forget, Bits & Pieces went under in ...Don't forget, Bits & Pieces went under in 2008. The brand was revived after being bought by a parent company that owns other jigsaw sellers, so the emphasis has undoubtedly shifted even though they look similar to the old B&P.<br /><br />I suspect you've got the wrong torpedo puzzle in the picture. B&P's "Man the Torpedo" was brass-and-aluminum (their signature materials) with a cylinder trapped inside a 6-bar cage. As pictured it appears to be Enigma's chrome-plate version, a hedgehog puzzle with a sphere in a 5-bar cage.<br /><br />I identified that aluminum T puzzle as "T Party" in my latest blogpost (as does Rob's page). I think puzzle collectors tend to overrate it because they appreciate its resemblance to another puzzle--but if you watch a beginner play with it you'll probably see a number of clumsy unintended solutions!Scott Elliotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04412998136313650302noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685551743349411127.post-10706594314577682742012-10-04T12:25:00.410-04:002012-10-04T12:25:00.410-04:00B&P went belly up some years ago. Somehow it ...B&P went belly up some years ago. Somehow it reappeared from the ashes and now is just as bad as before, if not worse. Hanayama demonstrates that inexpensive puzzles can be produced with high quality.<br /><br />I consider B&P puzzles as disposable. If you don't like them, just toss them!Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10140920751826036814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685551743349411127.post-54337711990465691892012-10-04T07:37:54.856-04:002012-10-04T07:37:54.856-04:00The Hercules I just got is good as is the EZ Unlin...The Hercules I just got is good as is the EZ Unlink and Hole in one. The rest....<br />I totally agree. They were much better years ago. I wish I'd have bought more way back when they were showing at the fairs here. At that time it was more worth it. Now? I question my motives every time I order. Puzzle addiction I have decided. I need help....Roxanne Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17218865433177555019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685551743349411127.post-40525411483855381902012-10-04T06:37:26.709-04:002012-10-04T06:37:26.709-04:00Oh, how I can relate, Rox. My relationship with th...Oh, how I can relate, Rox. My relationship with them is more hate than love, though. I'm yet to get one single puzzle from them that I can truly say "What a superb quality puzzle!". They do have some pretty nice designs and interesting puzzles, but it's like they don't care about the quality. Yes, most of their puzzles are cheap in price, but they didn't need to literally build them as cheap. Look at Hanayama - Cheap and high-quality products. Sorry for the rant ;)Gabrielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00547574234341454265noreply@blogger.com