How This Guy Makes the World's Best Puzzle Boxes | Obsessed | WIRED

Kagen Sound is an artisan of remarkable skill, engineering and constructing incredibly intricate puzzle boxes made entirely of wood. WIRED brings you inside his workshop as he breaks down the design process behind his wonderful creations, and the woodworking skill he leverages to make everything snap together perfectly.
Director: Charlie Jordan
Director of Photography: Colin Witherill
Editor: Jordan Calig
Expert: Kagen Sound
Creative Producer: Wendi Jonassen
Line Producer: Joseph Buscemi
Associate Producer: Brandon White
Production Manager: D. Eric Martinez
Production Coordinator: Fernando Davila
Camera Operator: Tucker Neary
Sound Mixer: Ted Thacker
Production Assistant: Jay Boersma
Post Production Supervisor: Alexa Deutsch
Post Production Coordinator: Ian Bryant
Supervising Editor: Doug Larsen
Assistant Editor: Andy Morell
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[@Puzzleguy]

Kagen's puzzles are awesome. Exceptionally well made.

[@timoooo7320]

Saw the hedgehog puzzle on his site costs $7500 😮 the box is like $925. 😭

[@pathemep]

@@timoooo7320 Oh what you need to do now is basic simple wooden box by yourself, completely out of tree stump. Make it small and simple, not a puzzle just *a box.* And after that we will discuss prices with you on his website.

[@IanRoss-ej2wb]

U

[@YoutubeWatcher264]

@@timoooo7320 Yeah this is art (and science). Not like that all white or one line painting.

[@machinebeard1639]

I kinda hate it when the Cenobites show up, but yeah his stuff is pretty cool.

[@demeter-the-great]

This guy is 100% the definition of a genius. To come up with these mechanisms, have the skills to craft them, and do so exclusively out of wood… genius 200 IQ mastery.

[@magiklam2991]

a genius who has found where their passion lies, for a lot of people that's one of the toughest puzzles in life.

[@Rosie2009ify]

Exactly

[@banzai4171]

@@magiklam2991what a nice word

[@ericcrook2658]

This guy is not a genius this is 200 year old Japanese culture and they make way more complicated ones then those

[@montauta]

@@ericcrook2658 thanx for your kind comment. Next.

[@TheOriginalJohnDoe]

Creating a clicking sound out of wood. What a genius, I love it.

[@Shika_]

I have been following Kagan Sound for more than five years now, he's been a real underdog and it's so good to see him get so much recognition now!

[@stephenx2857]

out of curiosity, what made/makes him an underdog?

[@Shika_]

@@stephenx2857 I mean, back then too he had a very high amount of skill and precision but not many followers, less than 1k if I remember correctly

[@TJMunger]

​@@stephenx2857 yanno, underdoggy things.

[@mattypants]

The sheer talent here is incredible. This is a Da Vinci level of genius.

[@willcookmakeup]

These are amazing. My brother and I are hobbyists and make much much MUCH simpler puzzle boxes. These are absolutely next level, and so beautiful. The engineering is crazy

[@princequestly2218]

I love that people like this exist in the world.

[@mattwilson8298]

Finally, someone who can build the Lament Configuration. We have such sights to show you.

[@MB5rider81]

You opened the comment section.. we came..

[@alanscott1012]

I was looking for this comment 😅😅

[@soul-candy-music]

so happy to see puzzlemakers like Kagen be celebrated in videos like these. It's such a pleasure to see this passion shared and grown via communities like youtube.

[@SnarkHunter64]

Kagen is not only an amazing craftsman and a puzzle box design genius, but he is also a wonderful human being. A genuine gentleman, whom I am feeling privileged I ever got to know.

[@Bettinasisrg]

Thank you, it's always nice to know someone you admire is a good person.

[@AnimecrazySakura7]

Honestly incredible that he had all these puzzle making ideas since he was a kid and carried that passion over to adulthood. You can tell how much he loves his craft and creating. Kudos to him 👏

[@tarsbremer4442]

You can easily imagine his house, completely neat, beautifully organized, everything in its place, and not a grain of dust around.

[@finnmarr-heenan2397]

Yea but I’d struggle to figure out the secret move to open the toilet door

[@Cantblendthis]

And a headache to break into even as a team ... 'open the door!' ... 'what door?!'

[@everetthancock2043]

As a Hellraiser fan, I am mortified

[@Metal_Face_Doom]

I was looking for this comment! 🤣

[@BertLiu]

Magnificent. Not only are the puzzles and mechanisms breath-taking, but the boxes themselves can also be quite functional as they tend to have very large spaces inside, which is not always true with many other puzzle boxes.

[@CoinOpTV]

Pinhead would love this guy!

[@collin8428]

This man is evidently a genius and as a veteran woodworker his craftsmanship is impeccable and unmatched.

[@OrangeSectorFN]

Now this is thinking outside the box. 😉

[@Misteribel]

This is real art, and mind boggling at the same time! Escher would be proud ❤

[@zZiL341yRj736]

Accidentally unleashed the Cenobytes.

[@andreykrylov7155]

Just imagine how awesome this workshop of his should smell.

[@MESTER47]

Just amazing, me as a woodworker I found this a delight to watch.

[@jimmyispromo]

Literal Genius. Need this dude to run for President. World would know his next move, though is all for the greater good

[@songindarkness]

I love how happy he is talking about it. To have so much passion and purpose and joy in what you do: life goals.

[@janetf23]

I love the way this took me right back to the moment of joy I felt as a small child the first time I solved a puzzle box in the 50s - time travel rocks❗ Thanks, Kagen‼

[@richardconway6425]

Does this guy sell his puzzles in some kind of unique marketplace? It seems that every one of his little creations is unique - meaning that they would be very expensive. Incredible to think what they might sell for in a competitive bidding environment. I really liked this video, a lot of information (if you're new to puzzle boxes) packed into a very compact short. I could have watched a much longer version of this, easily 20 - 30 minutes. Any chance of a longer edit Charlie? For some reason it's really interesting to watch other people solving puzzles, and I would have liked to have seen the interviewer try a few more. Wood is such a beautiful material, and working with it seems to be the complete antithesis of the insane digital age we live in.

[@SurfNinjas]

He has his own site. The puzzles are EXTREMELY expensive ($475 on the low end and $7,500 on the high end), but given the labor and skill involved I can definitely understand why.

[@richardconway6425]

@@SurfNinjas wow !! I can easily believe that ... that's the value of real artistry.

[@N0noy1989]

​@@SurfNinjasSeeing how they're made, and the genius employed to make them, even $7,500 seems cheap. Someday, when he's long gone, those puzzle boxes are going to fetch several times their price at auctions. ​

[@chris-C8]

I'm happy to see that this wasn't made using a CNC machine. It's rare to see someone with such talent who can push the boundaries of the craft.

[@michaelinglis567]

These are actually really great. I love these. I build guitars on occasion (I'm much more into building amps and pedals) but I have just enough wood working experience to understand what must go into these which makes me appreciate what he is doing even more. I love that he is also a mathematician because this is exactly what I'd expect a mathematician wood worker to make lol!

[@itzprogamer1014]

We need Handy people like him in today's world where everything is digital because we need to get our minds working and thinking on some kind of Original puzzles.

[@TheNorwoodCat]

I think this is in my top 5 Wired videos! Was totally fascinated the whole video and did not want it to end! LOVED it.

[@Misteribel]

4:50 i love how you make the dovetail in part by chisel, even though you clearly have the tools, like that router, to do it fully machined (I use the router solely, I don't have the patience otherwise 😅).

[@waterfoker8558]

6:59 this is simply BEAUTY and GENIUS!

[@rachel_rexxx]

Math degree makes sense

[@ldnboy07]

To have an idea as complicated as these is in itself great already but to create and give life to his idea himself in the form of wood worked puzzles is just pure genius and talent.

[@joshuapatrick682]

if this dude has incorporated that much sacred geometry into his craft without hard psychedelics I would genuinely be impressed.

[@Jaxson0705]

I'm a wood worker and I can't even wrap my head around how he does it. Truly insane!

[@jmg999]

Mr. Sound's talents are undeniable. I really enjoy puzzle boxes and watching certain content creators solve them. The Rune Cube was particularly interesting, b/c while I'm not necessarily a huge fan of those puzzles, where the internal maze has to be navigated, and the viewer can't see what's happening, Mr. Sound's creation has that interaction all take place on the outside of the puzzle.

[@Lynette21122431]

Oh, my goodness! Awesome, absolutely! Thank you so much for making this documentary, y’all!

[@hardiknischal2210]

One of the most creative people I have ever come across!

[@chuck_stones]

Ever since finding Kagan's puzzles, I have vowed that one day I will own and solve one. They are genuine works of art and genius. So lovely to see some of the inner workings of his creative process and to see a spotlight being shone on his talents.

[@Bettinasisrg]

Same, gotta start saving!

[@Otis151]

unbelievable. The skill and the passion he must have. Beautiful

[@janemiettinen5176]

Wooden puzzles are very dear for me and my family, we have pretty nice collection of different ones. I might need to start collecting those boxes too, I fell seriously in love with the cafe wall one.. Imma go broke!

[@crypticTV]

Kagen's puzzles seem awesome. But even more he seems like a very chill and nice guy!! 🙂🙂

[@petethegiant4004]

This was so good! Seeing his passion come to life in all the different puzzle boxes is fascinating. Awesome stuff!

[@808mauna]

this video is One of the most fascinating things I have ever seen. Kagen Sound bravo

[@samuraijackson241]

These puzzle boxes looks so beautiful that i almost just want to display them and never solve them as i fear i will ruin them.

[@iamnotmydepression]

I absolutely adore wooden puzzles and puzzle boxes. Would love all of these ❤ So clever

[@karlkastor]

I need to look for a subscription service that sends me these puzzles and I can send them back for the next person to solve.

[@olewetdog6254]

Just having a shop like that is amazing.

[@rahulnair8986]

What a legend guy, so passionate in the way he speaks about his ultra creative and interesting craft!

[@G02372]

I never thought that there could be a wooden spring! 👍

[@michaeldeierhoi4096]

Very impressive Kagen!! It is always exciting and inspiring to see someone find their passion and explore finding new avenues to amaze others who like your puzzle boxes.

[@gesto211]

How does homeboy still have all of his fingertips? That's the real puzzle.

[@oldschooldos6850]

Now pay for a travel series where he goes to Japan to visit their puzzlebox making village and we get an amazing collab.

[@LokiBeckonswow]

it makes me so happy to see these puzzles, little mechanical devices like this are so cool

[@timothydahlin5321]

Hellraiser Signature Series.

[@alwaystired9203]

The first thing I thought when this started was "Lament Configuration". I bet he could pull it off.

[@MegaMultiAnonymous]

these are incredible, dude is on another level

[@jzimmer11]

absolutely amazing. His skill is unmatched!

[@Upinthecutty...]

@ 2:24 running your finger over the blade like that is wild.

[@Theweekndin]

I like puzzle boxes, this would be the best gift to get or give on birthday's

[@cyrillllll]

The desk he did for Aronovsky is mindblowing

[@taylorstauffer900]

The quality of these is incredible!

[@AaronDavila1]

Proud owner of two of Kagens puzzles. They are cherished in my collection!

[@BenjamintheTortoise]

Truly remarkable!! So fun to watch!!

[@zombiefireman]

A true master. I have one of his puzzles and it is truly the jewel of my collection.

[@LaViejaConsolada]

What a nice person. You can tell so easily that he have a golden heart. :)

[@ShinobiEngineer]

Genius and skillful... AMAZING!!! 🤯

[@ediblelipscrubs9466]

5:20 I understand that feeling, to proudly look back on a good, productive decision you made that led you to doing something you’re really happy to continually do. Not on his level though, this guy is a genius! Very insightful.

[@stevecapil6577]

What an awesome guy. Exception mind, exceptional skills. Respect.

[@tajwazir2052]

Good job and all the very best for years to come .

[@velasco2015]

THIS IS AWESOME! Perfect gifts for my niece and nephew :D

[@EuroDollarYen_]

WTF this is pure greatness. i didn't get what he was doing. I think he is the Michael Jordan of puzzle boxes. pure genius. love him

[@glenmacadaeg]

Looking forward to a Kagan Sound x Chris Ramsay collab!

[@adnaanu]

He is gonna end up summoning the Cenobites

[@yotaruvegeta]

Feels almost unfair that this guy is so great at woodworking and puzzle making.

[@julianjaffe8739]

"paying attention to how things change. and it might be very subtle and it you might think you aren't making any progress but you really are. as long as you keep exploring you'll eventually get it open" I started crying

[@Bettinasisrg]

Yes and so much like life!

[@skipsch]

I find it most impressive that he still has all his fingertips

[@CatJuarez]

I absolutely love this guys brain!

[@PoemedByTony]

This video is puzzling to me.

[@jupiterwilkymay5161]

incredible

[@maur1cius]

Absolutely amazing 😍

[@Tsunamirx7]

What a great video. I've made a few simple three-dimensional puzzles in wood, and it is so hard. The pieces have to be milled to such high tolerances!

[@markrung8051]

Incredible

[@colinholder5438]

Imagine the Escape Room he’d build🤯

[@alexfooify]

New favorite type of man just dropped

[@mgmoemgmoe3719]

Wow. Just seeing is an art!

[@ropro9817]

This is insanely cool! 🤠

[@Tr4nny_R4cc00n]

Bro gon open the wrong puzzle and end up unleashing 4 demons 😭😭😭

[@notsoquiet6598]

This is amazing!

[@dari.robertos]

This is so amazing!!!

[@YaminiThakur7]

Loved your content keep doing...❤🔥

[@DesertRunner602]

"This is a puzzle box. How would you solve it?" With a sledge hammer

[@TillerSeeker]

Fantastic puzzles by a fantastic puzzle maker!

[@ediblelipscrubs9466]

10:57 I love this part.

[@pedraosantos1418]

dude is a genius!!!

[@ForLorNVuLgaR]

What a genius!

[@maxmusterman8999]

He is a Prodigy!😊

[@timothyrussell1179]

The cenobites are coming 😱

[@DriftWander770]

Incredible woodworking

[@stevedored]

Kagen is a true joinius.

[@sealife564]

Wow. Super impressive