Clutch Box
  • DESIGN INFO
  • Designer
    Lee Krasnow
  • Year
    2003
  • Description
    secret opening puzzle box
  • Notes
    this puzzle design won the Puzzler's Award in the IPPDC in 2003
  • PIECE INFO
  • Pieces (Total):
    37
  • Unique Shapes:
    20
  • Solutions:
    1
  • Apparent Solutions:
    1
  • Moves (First Piece):
    11
  • Moves (Total):
    20
  • Solution Notes:
    I just made up a number for the total move count, but anyhow the number I made up is based on the new hybrid version rather than the older wooden versions
  • DIFFICULTY
  • Combination:
    1
  • Sequence:
    3
  • Dexterity:
    3
  • Discovery:
    7
IMAGES
Batch NameMakerStart YearEnd YearEdition SizeNotes
Hybrid Edition Clutch BoxesLee Krasnow2022
Cocobolo Rimmed Clutch Box BatchLee Krasnow2021202210These all came out really sweet.
Bubinga Rimmed Clutch Box BatchLee Krasnow2020202110I learned a lot from making the previous two copies, and so put that wisdom to good use along the way of making these ten.
2020 Clutch Box BatchLee Krasnow202020202I did not do any kind of spiral inlay on the lid for these two, in a precursor to what would become the "standard edition"
Removable Lid Clutch BoxesLee Krasnow200420046I made the same mistake with the lid inlay pattern during this batch, and so just like the previous 2 copies I needed to flip the lid tiles over and thus the spiral pattern on these turned out mirror image from what I had intended.
Hinged Lid Clutch BoxesLee Krasnow200320031I had originally intended for the lid pattern on #2 and #3 to be the opposite direction spiral but my production technique at the time resulted in chips during the cutting process which necessitated me to flip them all upside down in order for it to look nice.
 Showing Pages 1-6 of 6 Total
Hybrid Edition Clutch Boxes
  • BATCH INFO
  • Edition Size:
  • Size (cm):
    6.72
  • Batch Notes:
these hybrid models are pretty cool, they have wooden outside and metal inside. Once you unlock the lid then you can further disassemble the whole thing into about 20 individual components.
IMAGES
Instance NameSerial #NotesConstruction
Clutch Box #3232this was the first of the hybrid models that turned out nice enough to be considered not a prototype or "Artist's Proof"teak, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and socket head cap screw
Clutch Box #3333cocobolo, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and socket head cap screw
Clutch Box #3434using up some remnants of the inlay chips from a previous batchcanarywood, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and socket head cap screw
Clutch Box #3535cocobolo, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring and dowel pins
Clutch Box #3636pao ferro, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring and dowel pins
Clutch Box #3737zebrawood, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring and dowel pins
Clutch Box #3838Brazilian kingwood, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring and dowel pins
Clutch Box #3939Brazilian kingwood, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring and dowel pins
Clutch Box #4040pao ferro, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring and dowel pins
Clutch Box #4141pao ferro, bubinga, Macassar ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring and dowel pins
Clutch Box #4242jatoba, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring and dowel pins
Clutch Box #4343purpleheart, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #4444cocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #4545cocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #4646cocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #4747cocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #4848cocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #4949canarywood, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5050verawood, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5151canarywood, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5252bocote, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5353canarywood, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5454cocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5555cocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5656cocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5757one of the cocobolo frame pieces has a small wormholecocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5858this one has a few small wormholes in the cocobolo frame pieces, particularly the bottom panelcocobolo, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
Clutch Box #5959pao ferro, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, aluminum, brass, socket head cap screw, ball bearing, compression spring, dowel pins and PLA plastic
 Showing Pages 1-28 of 28 Total
Clutch Box #32
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    32
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
    this was the first of the hybrid models that turned out nice enough to be considered not a prototype or "Artist's Proof"
IMAGES
Clutch Box #33
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    33
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #34
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    34
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
    using up some remnants of the inlay chips from a previous batch
IMAGES
Clutch Box #35
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    35
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #36
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    36
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #37
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    37
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
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Clutch Box #38
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    38
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #39
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    39
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #40
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    40
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #41
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    41
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #42
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    42
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #43
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    43
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #44
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    44
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #45
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    45
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #46
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    46
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
Typically when I mill down rosewoods, I get rid of the wonky chunks that have remnants of the sapwood or any wormy bits, yet in this particular case the plank I was working with had enough of said material to allow me to make just one copy like this and so I thought it would be fun to showcase something that would otherwise just go to waste. The client was pleased insofar that the wormy puzzle matches the wormy rafters in their castle, so it was a win/win situation right off the bat.
IMAGES
Clutch Box #47
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    47
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #48
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    48
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #49
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    49
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #50
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    50
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #51
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    51
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #52
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    52
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #53
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    53
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #54
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    54
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #55
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    55
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #56
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    56
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #57
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    57
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
    one of the cocobolo frame pieces has a small wormhole
IMAGES
Clutch Box #58
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    58
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
    this one has a few small wormholes in the cocobolo frame pieces, particularly the bottom panel
IMAGES
Clutch Box #59
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    59
  • Markings:
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Cocobolo Rimmed Clutch Box Batch
  • PRODUCTION INFO
  • Made By:
    Lee Krasnow
  • Starting:
    2021
  • Ending:
    2022
  • BATCH INFO
  • Edition Size:
    10
  • Size (cm):
    6.72
  • Batch Notes:
    These all came out really sweet.
IMAGES
Instance NameSerial #NotesConstruction
Clutch Boxes #22-312210 identical copies in this batch, serial numbers 22-31cocobolo, bubinga, Macassar ebony, cherry, copper, compression spring and ball bearing
 Showing Pages 1-1 of 1 Total
Clutch Boxes #22-31
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    22
  • Markings:
    Lee 2022
  • Notes:
    10 identical copies in this batch, serial numbers 22-31
IMAGES
Bubinga Rimmed Clutch Box Batch
  • PRODUCTION INFO
  • Made By:
    Lee Krasnow
  • Starting:
    2020
  • Ending:
    2021
  • BATCH INFO
  • Edition Size:
    10
  • Size (cm):
    6.72
  • Batch Notes:
    I learned a lot from making the previous two copies, and so put that wisdom to good use along the way of making these ten.
IMAGES
Instance NameSerial #NotesConstruction
Clutch Boxes #12-211210 identical copies in this batch, serial numbers 12-21bubinga, cocobolo, Macassar ebony, cherry, copper, ball bearing and compression spring
 Showing Pages 1-1 of 1 Total
Clutch Boxes #12-21
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    12
  • Markings:
    Lee 2021
  • Notes:
    10 identical copies in this batch, serial numbers 12-21
IMAGES
2020 Clutch Box Batch
  • PRODUCTION INFO
  • Made By:
    Lee Krasnow
  • Starting:
    2020
  • Ending:
    2020
  • BATCH INFO
  • Edition Size:
    2
  • Size (cm):
    6.72
  • Batch Notes:
    I did not do any kind of spiral inlay on the lid for these two, in a precursor to what would become the "standard edition"
IMAGES
Instance NameSerial #NotesConstruction
Clutch Box #1010This one was not my finest work; sort of like an Artist's Proof (I hadn't made a Clutch Box in 17 years) but I gave it a slot in the serial numbered edition anyhow.narrah, tulipwood, bois de rose, koa, copper, compression spring, ball bearing and hard maple
Clutch Box #1111tamarindo, European olivewood, Palisander rosewood, koa, copper, compression spring, ball bearing and hard maple
 Showing Pages 1-2 of 2 Total
Clutch Box #10
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    10
  • Markings:
    Clutch Box No. 10 Lee 2020
  • Notes:
    This one was not my finest work; sort of like an Artist's Proof (I hadn't made a Clutch Box in 17 years) but I gave it a slot in the serial numbered edition anyhow.
IMAGES
Clutch Box #11
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    11
  • Markings:
    Clutch Box No. 11 Lee 2020
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Removable Lid Clutch Boxes
  • PRODUCTION INFO
  • Made By:
    Lee Krasnow
  • Starting:
    2004
  • Ending:
    2004
  • BATCH INFO
  • Edition Size:
    6
  • Size (cm):
    6.72
  • Batch Notes:
    I made the same mistake with the lid inlay pattern during this batch, and so just like the previous 2 copies I needed to flip the lid tiles over and thus the spiral pattern on these turned out mirror image from what I had intended.
IMAGES
Instance NameSerial #NotesConstruction
Clutch Box #44Ceylon satinwood, narrah, cocobolo, goncalo alves, copper, compression spring and ball bearing
Clutch Box #55Ceylon satinwood, narrah, Palisander rosewood, goncalo alves, copper, compression spring, ball bearing and hard maple
Clutch Box #66bois de rose, Brazilian kingwood, tulipwood, goncalo alves, copper, compression spring, ball bearing and hard maple
Clutch Box #77bois de rose, Macassar ebony, tulipwood, goncalo alves, copper, compression spring, ball bearing and hard maple
Clutch Box #88Honduran rosewood, narrah, hard maple, goncalo alves, copper, compression spring and ball bearing
Clutch Box #99tamarindo, Palisander rosewood, European olivewood, goncalo alves, copper, compression spring, ball bearing and hard maple
 Showing Pages 1-6 of 6 Total
Clutch Box #4
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    4
  • Markings:
    LK.9 No.4 Lee 4.04
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #5
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    5
  • Markings:
    LK.9 No.5 Lee 4.04
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #6
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    6
  • Markings:
    LK.9 No.6 Lee 4.04
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #7
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    7
  • Markings:
    LK.9 No.7 Lee 4.04
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #8
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    8
  • Markings:
    LK.9 No.8 Lee 4.04
  • Notes:
IMAGES
Clutch Box #9
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    9
  • Markings:
    LK.9 No.9 Lee 4.04
  • Notes:
I kept this copy for myself for a couple of years and so subsequently was able to take a better photograph of it in 2006 using a higher quality camera setup than what I had previously been using in 2004 when I made this batch of puzzles.
IMAGES
Hinged Lid Clutch Boxes
  • PRODUCTION INFO
  • Made By:
    Lee Krasnow
  • Starting:
    2003
  • Ending:
    2003
  • BATCH INFO
  • Edition Size:
    1
  • Size (cm):
    6.72
  • Batch Notes:
    I had originally intended for the lid pattern on #2 and #3 to be the opposite direction spiral but my production technique at the time resulted in chips during the cutting process which necessitated me to flip them all upside down in order for it to look nice.
IMAGES
Instance NameSerial #NotesConstruction
Clutch Box #11design prototype, hinged lidkoa, hard maple, narrah, tamarindo, copper, hidden hinge, socket head flat head screw, compression spring and ball bearing
Clutch Box #22I am not sure if I ever did end up marking it so I am just guessing if this one was #2 or #3koa, narrah, cocobolo, copper, hidden hinge, socket head flat head screw, compression spring, ball bearing and hard maple
Clutch Box #33I am not sure if I ever did end up marking it so I am just guessing if this one was #2 or #3koa, hard maple, Gaboon ebony, copper, hidden hinge, socket head flat head screw, compression spring and ball bearing
 Showing Pages 1-3 of 3 Total
Clutch Box #1
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    1
  • Markings:
    LK.9 No.1 Lee 3.03
  • Notes:
    design prototype, hinged lid
This box was the design prototype. It is unique in that it is the only Clutch Box which does not allow the puzzler to re-engage the rocker locks once the core has been extended.
IMAGES
Clutch Box #2
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    2
  • Markings:
    I left this one free of markings in order to anonymize it for IPPDC
  • Notes:
    I am not sure if I ever did end up marking it so I am just guessing if this one was #2 or #3
This one was in the IPPDC in 2003 and won the prestigious Puzzler's Award.
IMAGES
Clutch Box #3
  • INSTANCE INFO
  • Serial Num:
    3
  • Markings:
    I left this one free of markings in order to anonymize it for IPPDC
  • Notes:
    I am not sure if I ever did end up marking it so I am just guessing if this one was #2 or #3
IMAGES