Springbok Puzzles Review – Established Respectability?
The oldest puzzle maker in the U.S. and one of the most respected brands on the market.
*Originally published on MyPuzzleDay.com —April 23, 2023*
⚠️ Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Springbok puzzles have a rich history dating back to 1963. They are currently the oldest and most respected brand-named puzzle on the market, kept alive by a fan-based letter-writing campaign after being acquired by Hallmark. They remain a legacy brand in the puzzle world and are known for their distinctive piece shapes and focus on classic Americana imagery.
Just The Deets!
• Piece Cut: Random Cut (Irregular, challenging shapes)
• Piece Fit: Tight
• False Fits: No
• Piece Gauge: 1.8 mm (18% thicker than industry standard)
• Puzzle Finish: Glossy
• Reference Poster: No
• Dust Level: High (Constant dust/fraying)
• Material: Basswood (a durable, lightweight hardwood)
• Specialty Line: 36-piece line for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients
• Puzzle Size 1000 Piece: 24″ x 30″ (Larger than typical)
• Made in USA
Image Quality & Themes
Springbok is known for using vibrant, clear, and detailed images. The colors are often vivid and true to life, although the finish is glossy, which can cause glare.
Springbok offers a diverse range of themes, catering to various interests. While they have a strong reputation for their classic Americana imagery, they also offer a variety of contemporary and modern designs:
Classic Americana (Nostalgic depictions of American life)
Nature and Wildlife
Cities and Skylines
Art and Illustration
Humor and Novelty
✋ Hands On Experience
The rough edges on the back of the pieces makes for not only a tighter fit, but seem to create a lot of dust.
The pieces are known for their unique random cut, which adds a fun layer of challenge. They are a good thickness at 1.8 mm, made from 100% recycled materials. The rough edges on the back of the pieces meant I was constantly cleaning dust from the first piece to the last. This was a consistent issue throughout the entire assembly.
On the positive side, the inside of the box lid was great—it was chock full of company history, puzzling tips, and a special discount code.
*A significant issue was that the image on the box I purchased from a specific retailer (Hobby Lobby) was truncated, meaning part of the image was missing in the final puzzle versus the box art. Springbok’s customer service was quick to reply, offered to replace the “defective” puzzle, and noted they had seen this defect on some of those retailer puzzles. (See bottom images in the gallery above)
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros (The Experience & Quality)
Established Legacy: Oldest and most respected brand on the market.
Made in USA: Appeals to puzzlers seeking domestic manufacturing.
Thick Pieces: Pieces are 1.8 mm thick.
Random Cut: Offers a challenging, non-uniform piece experience.
Eco-Friendly: Made from 100% recycled materials.
Helpful Box Info: Lid contains history, tips, and discount codes.
❌ Cons (Minor Imperfections)
High Dust Level: Rough edges create a constant mess of dust/fraying.
Image Truncation Risk: Some batches, especially from certain retailers, may have a cropped image.
Glossy Finish: Can cause glare under certain lighting conditions.
No Reference Poster.
💡 Final Thoughts: The Verdict
I am on the fence about Springbok Puzzles.
While they offer beautiful images, a strong legacy, and an engaging random cut, the issues with the size of the puzzles (they are quite large!), the high dust quantity, and the fit/truncation issue prevent me from giving a full recommendation.
The good news is that Springbok’s customer service was quick to address the truncation issue and offer a replacement. If you are comfortable with a glossy finish and a potential dust issue in exchange for a classic random cut puzzle, they are worth a try!
🧩 Ready for a unique challenge?
Check out the collection of Springbok puzzles available on Amazon by clicking below.