Jack-in-the-Box Puzzles

Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle Cutting Styles and Techniques

I use one of several styles of pieces in my puzzles. Some of them are described here, but since each puzzle is handcut, sometimes I experiment with different styles. If you have something different in mind for your custom puzzle, I'm open to any suggestions. Generally, a puzzle will only contain one of these styles (mixing styles can make puzzles too easy - a few swirly pieces in an otherwise knobby puzzle will stick out like Waldo on an ice floe), but every piece in every puzzle is unique (there are a few exceptions, of course, like the signature piece, and intentionally double-cut pieces).

	Knobby Cut A knobby cut puzzle is cut piece-by-piece, using knobs, straight cuts, and little hooks to carve pieces. This style is the most difficult - pieces seem to fit everywhere at every angle! This is my favorite style. It combines the randomness, individuality, and creativity of the swirly-cut with the blockiness of the grid-cut.
Swirly Cut Hooks, curls, swirls, and mushrooms are found on swirly-cut pieces. They make a very tightly-interlocking puzzle, since most pieces are wound up in several adjoining neighbors.
	Artistic Cut Artistic cut is a highly creative and whimsical style. There is very little uniformity in the pieces; a lot of sharp turns, straight lines, and smooth curves make up an artistic cut puzzle.
Grid Cut Grid-cut is the style found on most cardboard puzzles. Instead of each piece being individually cut, whole strips are cut vertically in the puzzle. Then the strips are masking-taped back together and sliced horizontally, hence the "grid". Generally there are less tricks worked into the puzzle's crafting, but still some devious games can be played.

Jack-in-the-Box Puzzles

Wooden Jigsaw Puzzle Cutting Styles and Techniques

Knobby Cut

Swirly Cut

Artistic Cut

Grid Cut