I was out today for some personal matters, so I took a day off from work in the workshop. I have asked someone else to look after the workshop cats. Since November began, I have had a few more commitments, so work has not been moving along as smoothly as I would like. I should be able to finish the boxes I have already planned for this month, but I would like to fit in a few other projects too. Back in the summer, I was hoping to make boxes with a high step count around this time. At this rate, though, I probably will not be able to do that this month. Instead, I hope to add a batch of 21-steps puzzle boxes if possible.
I currently sell one type of 4-sun 21-steps puzzle box in my shop. This model is covered entirely with traditional Yosegi. I originally had no plans to make a 21-steps model, so it was not part of my range for a long time. In fact, I did not even start making 4-sun boxes until later!..haha. The 4-sun size is a very competitive market among Japanese puzzle box makers. Its convenient size makes it popular, and almost every maker produces it. This competition tended to push prices down, making it difficult for me to produce boxes at those prices. To do so, I would have needed to keep costs and work to an absolute minimum and make large quantities quickly. That was physically too demanding for me. Then a wholesaler in Hakone asked, “How about a 27-steps version?” No one was making a 4-sun 27-steps puzzle box at the time. They told me they could sell it even in small quantities and at a slightly higher price, so I decided to make it. I have continued making it ever since, and I believe I am still the only maker producing this model.
After making the 27-steps model for a while, the wholesaler felt that a 21-steps version might also sell at a slightly higher price, so I made it a few times. However, other makers produce 21-steps boxes at lower prices, so mine have not sold particularly well. I only receive a request for them once every few years!..haha. The situation is similar on my own website. Since 4-sun 21-steps puzzle boxes are available elsewhere for a little less, this is not one of my most popular models. Still, after making it several times, I have found some things that make it appealing as a maker. For example, it uses the same Aruki panel thickness as the 14-steps model. This allows me to offer more steps without extra work preparing a different thickness of material. However, the internal parts need to be made specifically for the 21-steps mechanism. By comparison, the parts for the 27-steps model can also be used for the 36-steps model, while the 14-steps parts can be used for the 12-steps, 7-steps, and 18-steps models. As I mentioned a little while ago, it is also possible to make an 18-steps mechanism using the 21-steps parts. If I do that, these parts will become more useful across my range. Perhaps I will make the 21-steps model more regularly in the future.
For now, I plan to make the 14-steps puzzle boxes after the Mame boxes, and I am thinking of making the 4-sun 21-steps model after that. I have also received requests from overseas shops, so I would like to add a model with checkered Yosegi for wholesale as well 😊
