~ The Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box ~

AN INTRODUCTION FROM THE DESIGNER: 
      Just about everyone has seen the Cryptex puzzle box in the movie, "The Da Vinci Code" based on Dan Brown's book. It is understood that the cryptex is not actually an invention by Da Vinci but rather something fabricated by Dan Brown. And thus, the cryptex was born. The Cryptex puzzle tube or cryptex cylinder is a great idea, but what if you wanted a cryptex puzzle BOX big enough that you could really put something inside of it instead of a little piece of rolled up paper or a couple of trinkets. There are a few custom Cryptex puzzle tubes available and they all have one thing in common - they have a rather small storage capacity. But by definition that is just what it is.

Having such a great appreciation for unique puzzle boxes, the idea of an actual BOX implementing the cryptex puzzle code concept simply makes for a really GREAT puzzle box! After months of designing and prototyping, I have finally created what I'd like to present as the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box™. By design, this box may look simple enough but, don't let that fool you -  it is truly a very complex design. This box has over 100 individual and handmade parts in it's composition. To maintain the very close tolerances needed  to make this box possible required for me to make some extremely precise specialized tools, jigs and great deal of time. Many of the parts must be actually hand fit to each box. Each box is completely handcrafted and unique.

The Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box is LOADED with great features! The first requirement in the design was to have an easily changeable code feature so you can change your code anytime you want. You do have to know the code and open the box first. And then you need to know the trick and procedure to be able to change the code. And therefore, the only person that could change the code would have to be the person that knows the code and procedure. Also there is a built in "no pick" feature which means there is simply no reasonable chance of anyone getting into the box without the secret code. I have implemented hand machined aircraft grade aluminum parts for the actual mechanism to provide the strength needed for many years of service.  And best of all,  it has a very large storage compartment. It is rare to find a puzzle box this big! I intentionally made this box big enough to be able to hold even a standard size 5" x 7" diary / journal - or two or may be even three.  The actual inside width of the box is 5.5 inches providing the extra room needed to get the books inside. And at 11-3/4 inches long inside, it is even long enough to hold full sheets of standard size paper! Of course the huge compartment area provides lots of space for so much more. (See below)

The first puzzle boxes created 100's of years ago were made to secure the contents within and that is exactly what my Ultimate Cryptex™ box does very well. As a "Cryptex" it is a great puzzle box. Since you can change the code anytime, you can always change the challenge or start a game with a new riddle or quest of clues. You can place a prize inside the box and present your children, friends or colleagues with a challenge. The one that figures out the answer or code first gets the reward inside the box. If only you know the code, then The Ultimate Cryptex becomes a fantastic personal safe for things like diaries, journals, documents, jewelry or whatever else you want to keep from prying eyes. I would have to say that this is indeed one of my personal favorite puzzle boxes ever. With 100's of possibilities, it's usability, versatility and visual appeal really makes it very unique.  The Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box would indeed make a most incredible gift for anyone... like yourself!

Truly Hope You Enjoy It,
Randal G.

The Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle BOX Features!

Over 17 MILLION (17,210,368) Possible Code Combinations...
100,000 False Positions for Anti-Pick Feature...
Fully Resetable Code Feature!!!
*Each Slide Has TWO Blank Spaces*
Extra Large Storage Compartment
Facts: There are over 5000 words in the English language that have 5 letters
which is 5000 possible codes. There are over 1600 common English names with 5 letters.
With the additional 2 blank spaces on each slide creates an even greater array of possible code combinations!
 
 
 

Change the code yourself anytime!
Yes! You can change your code or password on the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box anytime you want. Of course you must open the box first to be able to change the code. This insures that only the person who knows the code can change it. The procedure is very simple and does not require complete disassembly or tools. The Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box comes with complete illustrated instructions for changing the code. It is very easy to do. Each cryptex box comes with a preset code.

How do we determine the odds:
The Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box has 26 letters plus two blank spaces, one at the top of the slide and one at the bottom. That is a total of 28 possible positions per slide at 5 slides (28 to the 5th power) equals 17,210,368 possible combinations. If you used the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box with a code of random letters then the odds of opening it would be 1 out of 17,210,367.  There are over 5000 words in the English language that contain 5 letters.  So if you knew that the code was a proper English word then your odds of opening this cryptex box would be around 1 out of 5000 (+).  But what if the code was entered backwards? Or, how about the additional two blank spaces on each slide? That really adds an even greater complexity of possible cryptex codes, combinations, passwords or cryptic messages!

Is there a trick to opening the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box?
If you want to qualify any "cryptex" devise as a puzzle,  it needs to be operable by deciphering a code or even with the answer to a riddle. There are many ways to present such a challenge but it would need to be a solvable solution.  If only you know the password and no one else, you should consider this box to be next to impossible to open - barring its destruction.  There is NO trick to bypass the code that you have set. Once the code is set and the box is closed - that's it. The only way to get into the box is to use the exact code. So you will not want to forget your code.  Since you can change the code yourself, forgetting your new code would be an irreversible situation.

Added Security:
With some tube type cryptex devices, it is possible to "pick" the combination by feeling each ring as it is turned. The Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box has an anti-pick feature for added security.  Each slide has 10 false positions. These false positions are randomly set on each slide and therefore every box is unique as there are millions of possible random combinations.  In total, there are 100,000 false combinations if you used only false positions on the 5 slides. This should certainly thwart anyone's attempt to try to pick their way into this cryptex box as there is simply no feasible way it can be done.

Rigged Hardwood Construction:
Every aspect of the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box construction has been considered to provide the strongest hardwood box possible. The grain on the top and the bottom of the box are assembled with the grain running across instead of with the length of the box using mortise & tendon style joinery. The result is a box that is much stronger than conventional wood box construction. Even the removable lid is reinforced to enhance its strength and integrity. The Ultimate Cryptex box is constructed to actually be used and with proper care, should last for many, many years to come. The compartment of the cryptex is completely isolated from the working mechanism of the box.  The key parts are machined out of aircraft grade aluminum to ensure that the mechanism will never break under stress or wear out as wooden parts would with regular use. The Ultimate Cryptex  Box has been designed and handcrafted with heirloom quality in mind. Your Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box could become a great hand me down gift to a son or daughter and imagine it could then become a grand heirloom for their children!

Big Storage Area:
This Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box was intentionally designed to be big enough to hold lots of stuff. The storage compartment is completely "sealed" from the working mechanism. So every inch inside this cryptex box can be used. Documents, deeds, letters, diaries / journals, paper back books, jewelry (even with the jewelry case), photos, baseball card collection or how about a treasure map! The possibilities are endless. (*)

(Click image to enlarge)

Here's what we got inside our Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box and with room to spare...
Photo album with 60 photos, journal, copy of J.R.R. Tolkiens - The Hobbit paper back book, envelope full of important documents, a QPB coin exchange trick box, white elephant good luck charm, 3" quartz crystal, a container full of silver dollars, jewelry case full of jewelry, collection of white spirit stones, ring of keys, trick ball puzzle, waterproof match container, Japanese puzzle box, mp3 player w/ ear buds and even my old trusty map compass.
That's a lot of nick-knacks, keepsakes, valuables and treasures!!!

Ideas for the Ultimate Cryptex...
The Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box will make a great addition to anyone's puzzle box collection. And because there is an infinite number of possible uses for the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box, there is no doubt that it will certainly make a most unforgettable gift ever. It is just that unique! You could even use it as a gift concealing another big surprise inside! You could come up with a riddle or game for someone to figure out the code (that you have set)  and once they figure it out they can retrieve the prize inside.  And who wouldn't want a cryptex box to keep their private and valued treasures in such as their diary or journal - locked away in there own coded Cryptex Box?

The Perfect Gift Selection for everyone...
Birthdays, Valentines, Christmas, Anniversaries. Who needs a special occasion when you can give a gift as unique and original as this... anytime of the year? It could truly be the most usable gift ever! The Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box is a beautiful artistic piece to display and it can even secure important documents inside all at the same time. A million uses in just one great box.

More Views of the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box
(Click on images to enlarge)

*IMPORTANT: There is NO trick to bypass the code that you have set on the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box. Once the code is set and the box is closed - that's it. The only way to get back into the cryptex box is to use the exact code. You will not want to forget your code!  Since you can change the code yourself, forgetting a new code or setting it incorrectly would be devastating. The process of setting a new code permits verifying that the code is correct before it is locked up. Therefore it is highly unlikely to set the code incorrectly in that process.  But if someone were to actually forget their code, the only way to get into the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box would be to disassemble it. This would require some very precise cuts of the box. Many of the parts would have to be remade from scratch, custom fit and the entire box would need to be refinished.

*Because the compartment of the Ultimate Cryptex Puzzle Box is so large, it is advised to add padding inside to both ends of the box when putting loose heavy objects inside the box to prevent the contents from moving. Heavy items placed unsecured/un-padded inside the box could act as a "battering ram"  if the cryptex box it were to be shaken vigorously.

See our Limited Edition Wooden Puzzle Boxes here
See more Great Puzzle Boxes & Trick Boxes here

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~ Many new designs to come from Quagmire Puzzle Boxes! ~