Hearing your cats talk in the video always puts a smile on my face. :) I also have a very mouthy orange kitty who is always carrying on a conversation with me. Especially when I get home from work, she has to tell me all about her day. :)
I have done two puzzles by Laurence King, World of Jane Austen and Alice's Wonderland. I would definitely guess the two were made by different manufacturers. Jane Austen was excellent, fabulous blue board, not waxy at all, nice and velvety soft. Alice's Wonderland was like what you described, waxy and gritty - reminded me of my first Cloudberries. Image was fabulous but the texture was terrible.
I worked on the World of Hercule Poirot puzzle, and had none of the issues that you experienced. The only fault I could find with the World of Hercule Poirot, was that the background was quite dark, and a few of the images were similar and therefore difficult to differentiate one from the other. I like you, enjoyed the “hide and seek “ aspect. I found the puzzle was good value and a lovely addition to my collection.
LKP manufactures puzzles in the Netherlands (waxy, hold together well, variety of piece shape), but they also manufacture the same puzzles in China. You just have to check the back of the box. The ones published in China are not waxy, the pieces are all the same shape, the pieces are very smooth but they don’t hold together well at all. They crumble if you try to move 4 pieces. I would be interested to know what you think of the Chinese manufactured version. It could be worth trying. I don’t understand why they produce two versions of the exact same puzzle. Personally, I prefer the Dutch version.
I think I'd prefer waxy over ill fitting... but IDK Sounds like there are issues with both locations. I'm sure it has to do with cost - but to me not worth it if people don't want to buy more from you.
I have just finished the Agatha Christie puzzle from Lawrence King Publishing and it definitely did not have a waxy finish. In fact it was more velvety and it wasn't at all crumbly but held together well. I really loved it. Mine was manufactured in the Netherlands in 2022 so maybe they have altered their puzzle pieces. I would highly recommend this brand from my own experience. I bought mine in the UK.
This is good to know, I just finished the Jane Austen one and it was lovely...and I have the Agatha Christie one on the way. I hope I have the same experience, I have had my eye on the AC one for awhile!
Just in case, since you made references to characters/books... I know many of their puzzles are literary, but the Tudors were historical rulers of England. There's a lot of historical fiction about them but they were real. Bummer about the wax, this puzzle looks gorgeous!
I have done three of their puzzles. Jane Austen. As a big time Austen reader, this was perfect for me. Whoever did this painting really knew his/her Austen books. There were even minor characters, scenes from all her books, and from her real family. Only complaint was all the pieces were the same basic shape-two knobs and two sockets. Sherlock Holmes. Disappointed that the actual puzzle was not as bright as the picture on the box, but they did fix the problem with the pieces being the same basic shape. Dickens. This was an older puzzle, so we’re back to the pieces being all the same basic shape. I had no issues with wax or grit. I do wish the pieces were a bit larger. Even though I feel like I’ve done enough of these, I might buy another if they came out with another author I really like. Twain, Steinbeck, Thomas Hardy.
I did the Agatha Christie one several months back and didn't enjoy it. I didn't notice any wax, but the fit was not great. Super loose. I could barely move two pieces, let alone a large section and any movement would dislodge pieces that were already connected.
I had the Jane Austin one. Mine had a white backing and it wouldn’t hold together when moving any sections. I absolutely hated doing it and abandoned it. Shame as I really liked the image.
Bonjour de France 🤗 I've just finished a Falcon puzzle and the pieces had that same waxy texture. This wax was not evenly distributed throughout the puzzle and some areas were stickier (greasier?) than others. I was so surprised at first that I checked several times to make sure I hadn't spilled anything on it. The sensation and touch were very unpleasant and disturbing. Thanks for the review. I'm super attracted to the Dracula and Frankenstein ones but I don't know if I'll dare try it. When I read the other comments, we either have waxy or loose fit with this brand !
I have the Charles Dickens puzzle dated 2021 on the back … mine has no waxy feel at all….I noted the puzzle was crumbly as my only critique… (yes I make myself notes on my thoughts to put in each puzzle I complete so I know whether to keep or pass on …and this one so far is in my keeper pile…) Anyways… maybe you got from a bad batch? I live in a dry/coolish place so maybe humidity a factor?… so weird…thanks for the review
Maybe that’s like some other brands I’ve heard of where for different markets they have a different manufacturer.. I bought mine at a thrift store in Canada so who knows…so fascinating!
I agree with not purchasing waxy/gritty feel to the pieces. I have had another brand with that same texture, but I can't recall if it was Art& Fable and/or some other brand. An unpleasant puzzling experience.
I've done several puzzles from this brand. I haven't had the sticky pieces, but there can be a difference in the pieces. Sometimes the pieces are thick and well fitting (Dracula, Frida, pop art), sometimes the pieces are thin and crumbly (Agatha Christie). The Agatha Christie puzzle really put me off.
Lawrence King puzzles are very inconsistent in quality in my experience. As far as I can tell, some of their puzzles are manufactured in the Netherlands and some in China. I have done the Alice in Wonderland one (manufactured in the Netherlands) which was the exact same quality as Cloudberries. I'm currently doing the Sherlock Holmes one, also manufactured in the Netherlands, which have the same cut as Cloudberries, but a more vaxy texture, I think like the one you have (the exact same pieces as the Talking Tables puzzles I have done, also manufactured in the Netherlands). I actually like the vaxy texture, but I understand why some people don't 😉. Then I have done the Wizard of Oz puzzle and the Story of Impressionism, and those was manufactured in China, and had completely different pieces, and in my opinion a worse quality. Thinner pieces, paper backing, loose fit and only the standard two in, two out shape. I also have the Around the world in 50 Trees puzzle that I haven't done yet, but that I can see is manufactured in China and have the same worse quality as the Oz one. I will probably keep buying their puzzles because I love the images, but in my experience, you never really know what quality you are getting 🤷♀️.
The Netherlands produced puzzles are the good ones! They are made in the same factory as Cloudberries, you must hate those too! The newer puzzles are made in China and are terrible, thin, crumbly pieces. I only buy this brand in a store because they produced the same puzzles in both factories and the only way to tell the difference is reading the small print on the back.
It's pronounced as too-ders (as opposed to two doors). I found their Jane Austen puzzle at Goodwill recently. I decided I'm not going to do it though because all the pieces are 2-ins, 2-outs and I find that so boring.
Some are manufactured in the Netherlands and some in China. I did the Tudors but it was made in China and the fit was terrible. The pieces themselves were fine, lovely print but they didn’t fit together, they sat together. I wouldn’t buy another if it was from China.
i've never had a puzzle with that waxy finish. Pretty sure I wouldn't like it either! I don't mind a smooth glossy, and the image is wonderful, and i think the seek and find would be really fun. However, it looked like these have all the same shape pieces with 2 tabs each. and I am not a fan of those at all. Like Galisons, there are so many images i love but not the piece shapes.
Hearing your cats talk in the video always puts a smile on my face. :) I also have a very mouthy orange kitty who is always carrying on a conversation with me. Especially when I get home from work, she has to tell me all about her day. :)
fascinating! I bought mine in Austria, a translated german version, of the King Artus variety and the pieces came in a paper bag not plastic.
Also, mine weren't waxy at all. It sounds awful :/
I have done two puzzles by Laurence King, World of Jane Austen and Alice's Wonderland. I would definitely guess the two were made by different manufacturers. Jane Austen was excellent, fabulous blue board, not waxy at all, nice and velvety soft. Alice's Wonderland was like what you described, waxy and gritty - reminded me of my first Cloudberries. Image was fabulous but the texture was terrible.
Sounds like they need some serious quality control!
I worked on the World of Hercule Poirot puzzle, and had none of the issues that you experienced. The only fault I could find with the World of Hercule Poirot, was that the background was quite dark, and a few of the images were similar and therefore difficult to differentiate one from the other. I like you, enjoyed the “hide and seek “ aspect. I found the puzzle was good value and a lovely addition to my collection.
I'm glad you had a good experience with that one! I've heard very mixed experiences but maybe they've gotten a new manufacturer since I did this.
LKP manufactures puzzles in the Netherlands (waxy, hold together well, variety of piece shape), but they also manufacture the same puzzles in China. You just have to check the back of the box. The ones published in China are not waxy, the pieces are all the same shape, the pieces are very smooth but they don’t hold together well at all. They crumble if you try to move 4 pieces. I would be interested to know what you think of the Chinese manufactured version. It could be worth trying. I don’t understand why they produce two versions of the exact same puzzle. Personally, I prefer the Dutch version.
I think I'd prefer waxy over ill fitting... but IDK Sounds like there are issues with both locations. I'm sure it has to do with cost - but to me not worth it if people don't want to buy more from you.
I have just finished the Agatha Christie puzzle from Lawrence King Publishing and it definitely did not have a waxy finish. In fact it was more velvety and it wasn't at all crumbly but held together well. I really loved it. Mine was manufactured in the Netherlands in 2022 so maybe they have altered their puzzle pieces. I would highly recommend this brand from my own experience. I bought mine in the UK.
Interesting - mine was published in 2021 so maybe they changed things since.
This is good to know, I just finished the Jane Austen one and it was lovely...and I have the Agatha Christie one on the way. I hope I have the same experience, I have had my eye on the AC one for awhile!
Just in case, since you made references to characters/books... I know many of their puzzles are literary, but the Tudors were historical rulers of England. There's a lot of historical fiction about them but they were real. Bummer about the wax, this puzzle looks gorgeous!
Yes! This one is historical figures and it was fun to read about them on the poster.
I have done three of their puzzles.
Jane Austen. As a big time Austen reader, this was perfect for me. Whoever did this painting really knew his/her Austen books. There were even minor characters, scenes from all her books, and from her real family. Only complaint was all the pieces were the same basic shape-two knobs and two sockets.
Sherlock Holmes. Disappointed that the actual puzzle was not as bright as the picture on the box, but they did fix the problem with the pieces being the same basic shape.
Dickens. This was an older puzzle, so we’re back to the pieces being all the same basic shape.
I had no issues with wax or grit. I do wish the pieces were a bit larger. Even though I feel like I’ve done enough of these, I might buy another if they came out with another author I really like. Twain, Steinbeck, Thomas Hardy.
I did the Agatha Christie one several months back and didn't enjoy it. I didn't notice any wax, but the fit was not great. Super loose. I could barely move two pieces, let alone a large section and any movement would dislodge pieces that were already connected.
Another different type of experience! I had great fit. But others mention the same thing as you.
I had the Jane Austin one. Mine had a white backing and it wouldn’t hold together when moving any sections. I absolutely hated doing it and abandoned it. Shame as I really liked the image.
Bonjour de France 🤗
I've just finished a Falcon puzzle and the pieces had that same waxy texture. This wax was not evenly distributed throughout the puzzle and some areas were stickier (greasier?) than others. I was so surprised at first that I checked several times to make sure I hadn't spilled anything on it. The sensation and touch were very unpleasant and disturbing.
Thanks for the review. I'm super attracted to the Dracula and Frankenstein ones but I don't know if I'll dare try it. When I read the other comments, we either have waxy or loose fit with this brand !
Yes! That is what I was experiencing. Some pieces were uneven with the coating but in general not a fan.
That's so odd! I did the Sherlock Holmes one and this wasn't a problem at all. Maybe they changed manufacturers 😮
oh man! I love the based on books, but the waxy stuff would drive me nuts lol. thx for the review
Thanks for watching!
I have done several of these and have never seen any wax on them--don't give up on them!
Sounds like there are so many mixed experiences!
I have the Charles Dickens puzzle dated 2021 on the back … mine has no waxy feel at all….I noted the puzzle was crumbly as my only critique… (yes I make myself notes on my thoughts to put in each puzzle I complete so I know whether to keep or pass on …and this one so far is in my keeper pile…) Anyways… maybe you got from a bad batch? I live in a dry/coolish place so maybe humidity a factor?… so weird…thanks for the review
Interesting! Mine wasn't crumbly at all, the fit was perfect my only issue was the texture.
Maybe that’s like some other brands I’ve heard of where for different markets they have a different manufacturer.. I bought mine at a thrift store in Canada so who knows…so fascinating!
I agree with not purchasing waxy/gritty feel to the pieces. I have had another brand with that same texture, but I can't recall if it was Art& Fable and/or some other brand. An unpleasant puzzling experience.
I love Art & Fable - more velvetty to me. These were straight up sticky feeling.
I've done several puzzles from this brand. I haven't had the sticky pieces, but there can be a difference in the pieces. Sometimes the pieces are thick and well fitting (Dracula, Frida, pop art), sometimes the pieces are thin and crumbly (Agatha Christie). The Agatha Christie puzzle really put me off.
I think the inconsistency is putting me off - such a bummer.
Lawrence King puzzles are very inconsistent in quality in my experience. As far as I can tell, some of their puzzles are manufactured in the Netherlands and some in China. I have done the Alice in Wonderland one (manufactured in the Netherlands) which was the exact same quality as Cloudberries. I'm currently doing the Sherlock Holmes one, also manufactured in the Netherlands, which have the same cut as Cloudberries, but a more vaxy texture, I think like the one you have (the exact same pieces as the Talking Tables puzzles I have done, also manufactured in the Netherlands). I actually like the vaxy texture, but I understand why some people don't 😉.
Then I have done the Wizard of Oz puzzle and the Story of Impressionism, and those was manufactured in China, and had completely different pieces, and in my opinion a worse quality. Thinner pieces, paper backing, loose fit and only the standard two in, two out shape. I also have the Around the world in 50 Trees puzzle that I haven't done yet, but that I can see is manufactured in China and have the same worse quality as the Oz one.
I will probably keep buying their puzzles because I love the images, but in my experience, you never really know what quality you are getting 🤷♀️.
Thank you for your insight! So far it looks like every person has had a different experience. I can see how it can be similar to cloudberries.
I want to buy this puzzle because I really like the Tudors image; shame about the waxy pieces :(
Sounds like the quality is mixed - so maybe you'd get a good one?
@@thecasualpuzzler 🤞
The Netherlands produced puzzles are the good ones! They are made in the same factory as Cloudberries, you must hate those too! The newer puzzles are made in China and are terrible, thin, crumbly pieces. I only buy this brand in a store because they produced the same puzzles in both factories and the only way to tell the difference is reading the small print on the back.
I loved my cloudberries ones. They felt completely different. Sounds like the quality is all over the place.
It's pronounced as too-ders (as opposed to two doors). I found their Jane Austen puzzle at Goodwill recently. I decided I'm not going to do it though because all the pieces are 2-ins, 2-outs and I find that so boring.
@@fififirestone3787 not my favorite either.
hi. tudor is pronounced chew -der .kind regards from across the pond. 🙂
Haha! I knew I had it wrong!
Some are manufactured in the Netherlands and some in China. I did the Tudors but it was made in China and the fit was terrible. The pieces themselves were fine, lovely print but they didn’t fit together, they sat together. I wouldn’t buy another if it was from China.
Thanks for the insight. Sounds like the China produced ones are even worse!
100% missing Odyssey Puzzle Company
I know!!! Have you checked out Fairplay Puzzles yet?? It looks like a good alternativem
i've never had a puzzle with that waxy finish. Pretty sure I wouldn't like it either! I don't mind a smooth glossy, and the image is wonderful, and i think the seek and find would be really fun. However, it looked like these have all the same shape pieces with 2 tabs each. and I am not a fan of those at all. Like Galisons, there are so many images i love but not the piece shapes.
It has a variety of traditional piece shapes.
Thank you, my mistake!
such a shame because the print itself is fabulous
I know!
Ew. The wax.