Hi Randee! Yes, I too remember being sooo excited to go to my local Hallmark store to take a look at the latest Springbok puzzles! It was one of the highlights of my childhood! Thank you so much for watching and for always commenting! :0)
I love vintage Springbok 1963-1973 the classic years pieces super thick, very rigid, random cut, great fit, great classic and op art! We have been chatting about the Springbok Secret Sauce of the 60s. Definitely quality changes noted starting in 1972 and by 1978 huge difference. ♥️. Loved the video!
Hi Carolyn! I agree - 1963 to 1973 were the best years for Springbok puzzles. Unfortunately, they are a shadow of their former selves. I will always have a soft spot for them as they were a HUGE part of my childhood, but I have moved on to much better brands, IMHO. Thanks again for watching and commenting! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler I’m am almost exclusively a vintage puzzler of many vintage brands but really no modern puzzles. What is your favorite modern brand you would recommend to try? Really enjoyed the video!
@@carolynbroussard9276 My absolute favorite jigsaw puzzle brand would have to be the SOONNESS brand, but the puzzles are pricey ($58), so you might not want to spend that much. For more reasonable puzzle brands that I love, I would recommend Magnolia, YAZZ, Art & Fable, Heye, Pomegranate, and New York Puzzle Company. Try one out and let me know what you think! :0)
I adore vintage Springbok puzzles. I have around 230 of them. I love the squishy!! Microscopic Vitamin C and Midnight Snack are two of my all-time favs. Also love the creepy dolls 😂
Hi there! I'm not a fan of the squishy! I had the Midnight Snack puzzle back in the day. I looked up your Microscopic Vitamin C puzzle and it is wild! And I also had several of their "doll" puzzles - you're right, they ARE creepy. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! :0)
Hi Mari! I figured you and I had similar Springbok experiences growing up. I loved them sooo much back then. Really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment! :0)
I did the mushroom house one also- and it's so cute. I agree their art now is very "done and done" but I do know a lot of people like that. I figure this way there is a company for those that like it and the rest for us ha!
Hi Stacy! Yes, I think there are a LOT of folks who LOVE Springbok's artwork - I'm just not one of them. There are so many wonderful brands out now and it's wonderful to have so many options! Thanks for watching and for commenting! :0)
Wow! This was an amazing video and it must have taken you forever to put it together. I love listening to your reasoning reasoning about the puzzles and it given me new ways to think about mine. I’m just on my tenth puzzle as an adult puzzler and I find it all very interesting.
Hi Evelyn! Yes, this video was time-consuming, but I really enjoyed putting it together. I will always have a soft spot for Springbok puzzles, cuz that's where my puzzling addiction started. I really appreciate you watching and for taking the time to comment! :0)
Hi Jim! I really adored Springbok growing up, but I wasn't very discriminating back then. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the brand, but I am no longer a fan of the brand. So many new and exciting brands out in the wild now that leave Springbok in the dust! Thank you for always watching and commenting! :0)
Interesting to hear your views on Springbok of yesteryear and today. I got the impression that you felt that the images of today are not as good as those back in the 70s. I've only done three of these puzzles and all date from the 2000s. I just had a quick look at their website and a good number of the images are not wildly interesting. I didn't go through all the pages, too many! There were a few images that looked interesting but most of them seemed to be run of the mill. Some puzzle companies seem to get stuck in a groove with images and others come up with really modern and attractive images. I'm currently, slowly, working my way through Ravensburger's Squishmallows 1000 pieces. Look forward to your next video.
Hi PuzzlePiece! Totally agree with you. Their images are not in the least bit exciting. It's like they are stuck in the past and it's all so bland and unappetizing. Plus, I do not like the feel of their puzzle pieces. So many other new and exciting brands are out there now, and Springbok needs to get back into the game! Thanks for watching and commenting! :0)
Thank you for your honest review of Springbok “then and now”. I am glad you didn’t have any pieces stuck together. After having dozens of pieces stuck together in the two 500 piece puzzles i recently purchased i put them on my no go list. I would be interested in comments of other viewers who have done recent Springboks.
Hi Marcia! Wow, sounds like you got a couple of lemon puzzles! Hopefully others will chime in with their opinions of the brand. Thank you so much for watching and for commenting. :0)
Just a few days before this posting I started on my first Springbok 500 called boat house which was dated 2019. There were a lot of connected pieces and had an odd feeling. Your word squishy is perfect. Just working on the border i had to jamb pieces together. I decided I was too old to spend time on it, packed it up and took it over to the library. Now working on a lovely random New York puzzle
Hi Sybil!! Yep, those pieces are squishy!! And I DO NOT LIKE SQUISHY!! Glad you had another puzzle you could replace it with. Thanks a bunch for watching and commenting! :0)
I really have to respect your opinion on Springbok puzzles because you have experience with so many more puzzles than I have! My own experience with Springbok puzzles is different than yours. My mother helped instill in me the love of jigsaw puzzles and I grew up working many Springbok puzzles. I have Springbok puzzles dating from 1965 through the present and I would rate them all much higher in quality. I like the tight fit of the pieces and the cushion-like feel as you place them. The Springbok puzzle boxes of the past were often very large and would sag in the middle over time. I am glad to see that the current boxes are smaller. The Springbok boxes I have from around 2017-2020 all seem to be holding up pretty well just like 1970's Undersea Enchantment. I bought the following current puzzles: Taco Table, Sunset Sailing, and Bang Bang Pop, but I haven't yet opened them to check the sturdiness of the boxes or to assess the level of puzzle dust. My only disappointment with Springbok puzzles is that I would like more of their images to include the work of artists. Springbok used to regularly include the work of artists in their puzzle selection. I found your Springbok puzzle review video interesting enough to make me go back and look at my collection and remind myself of my Springboks ! Thank you.
Hi Maggie! I wish I liked the feel of the puzzle pieces more, but I really do not. I guess it didn't bother me as a child though because I put hundreds of them together! I do agree with you about the fact that the past boxes were large - BUT - they were made of stronger material than the boxes are now. Granted, the boxes are smaller now, but I think they are not in the least bit sturdy. It also looks like Springbok is now using AI to create a large amount of their artwork. I have no real problem with AI artwork, but I don't really like their selection of AI because the colors are too much for even me. Glad I inspired you to go check out your collection. I bet it is AWESOME!! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! :0)
It's nice to still have a puzzle from your childhood. I was wondering why the green backing of your puzzle hasn't faded....because it stayed with you! I don't have any puzzles from my childhood but I do remember one that was green (probably shrubs and stuff..a typical landscape maybe) that I put together over and over again. I think Springbok is an okay puzzle brand. The image REALLY has to attract me to purchase one, and that hasn't happened yet for the modern ones. Also, their oversized boxes steer me away. Thorough vid! Loved that you showed your childhood Springbok puzzle collection!!
Hi Betty!! I actually had to repurchase the "Just for Openers" puzzle on eBay because I no longer had it. Either my mother tossed it out while I was away at college, OR I got rid of it during a move. Either way that puzzle is very sentimental for me. I do think their boxes are significantly smaller in size than the ones from the 70's, which I appreciate, but my goodness the boxes are super flimsy! Thanks for always watching and for commenting! :0)
Hi there! I too really appreciate that Springbok is still viable after all these years, I just wish they would modernize a bit. Thanks a bunch for watching and for commenting! :0)
Wish I still had all my old Springbok. They were the best. The new ones are just not close to the old ones. They are not cut good and have things hanging on the pieces. This was very interesting.
Hi there! Totally agree - the old Springbok's were WAY BETTER than the new ones. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment! :0)
My favorite puzzle ive ever done is Verticalville by Springbok. I got extremely lucky and thrifted a complete one for less than $5. Only serious damage was one piece that was ripped in half, which i promptly glued back together with scrapbooking glue. I am absolutely obsessed with vintage Springbok puzzles and i have to fight my instincts not to buy every single one I see! Gotta save some for the other puzzle enthusiasts in my town 😂 there wasn't a puzzle from your childhood and young adulthood i wouldn't wanna do except maybe that candy apple one 😂❤
Hi there! Loved the Verticalville puzzle!! Can't believe one of the pieces was ripped in half - how dare they treat that piece so badly! You are wise to avoid the "Candy Apple Fantasy" puzzle - it was a nightmare to put together. Thanks a bunch for watching and for commenting. :0)
Hi there! I'd love to do a video on round puzzles, but I do not own any vintage Springbok round puzzles, nor any Waddington or round Ravensburgers. I do have a TON of round Bgraamiens puzzles, and some round eeBoo puzzles. But to be honest, I cannot afford to purchase a bunch of puzzles just to make a particular video. I do it *at times*, but I'm currently broke so I am *trying* not to spend any more money on puzzles (although my June puzzle haul is nothing to sneeze at). Thank you for the suggestion, and I will keep it on the back burner for now. I really do appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzlerI am sure we can round up some puzzles for you to review. I have most of springboks and know others that have the others. I am sure we can hook you up :D
While there aren't many modern Springbok images that draw me in, I adore the vintage ones! I'm not encountering a ton of puzzle dust in the really old ones though. I wonder what the difference is between the ones I've acquired and the one you have to account for the dust variance.
Hi Robin! I'm with you with regards to the current lineup of Springbok puzzles - they are definitely NOT calling my name. Not sure what the difference is between the puzzle dust you have experienced and the puzzle dust I experienced; I just know that it was WAY TOO MUCH DUST for my liking. Really appreciate you taking the time to watch the video and for commenting! :0)
Springbok isn’t my favorite brand, but I do have a small collection. I am a huge fan of collage images, and I do feel they have a decent collection to choose from. Within the last few months, I have completed two brand new Springbok puzzles that both had a missing piece. I will say they have wonderful customer service, though, because both puzzles were replaced quickly with no questions asked.
Hi PuzzleGirl! Springbok does a great job on collage images. Really good to hear that they took care of you with your missing pieces - not all puzzle companies do that. I appreciate you watching and commenting! :0)
I have about 35 Springboks from the 60s and late 70s. They are mainly old masters, which I love. I’m especially impressed that they put effort and resources into teaching people about fine art. On the back of each is an in-depth essay on the work of art written by a historian or museum curator. The vibrancy of color and solidity of the pieces remain undiminished by age. I’ve only done 2 newer Springboks and have to say I was disappointed. The cut seemed sloppy and the pieces felt squishy as you describe them. And I completely agree with you on the contemporary images. That said, someone gave me a newer one that I’ll try. Maybe it will be a better experience. Great video!
Hi PuzzlingArt! The Springbok's from the 60's were really cool. Loved the round boxes from back then as well. Glad you enjoyed them. Unfortunately, as you saw in the video, I am not a fan of their current artwork. It is sooo bland and unexeciting it makes my teeth grind! I purchased 8 new puzzles for this review, and I now wish I hadn't. Oh well, live and learn. Really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. :0)
Thank you for putting together such an informative video. I really enjoyed it. In order to avoid dealing with puzzle dust, when I open a puzzle I dump it into a big bowl. I do my first sort from the bowl into cardboard trays that my cat's food came in. Most of the dust stays in the bowl rather than ending up on my table.
Hi Fifi! I actually purchased a colander to dump my puzzle pieces in, I just NEVER remember to use it! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler I stole a colander with larger holes from our kitchen that we never used, and it lives with my puzzles. I love it for getting rid of puzzle dust.
@@danacrouch9386 I bought a *PINK* colander just so I can use it with my puzzles that have a lot of puzzle dust, but I am not in the habit of using it. I'm going to have to make a concentrated effort to get in the habit. Thanks so much for watching and for commenting! :0)
“I am not a complete idiot, I know there are some of you who would like to rip my hair out” Lol, Shannon. I love it😂I agree with you about the outdated images and more traditional images of today. I think they are trying to somehow transition with the super bright colors of some of their puzzles, they would definitely benefit from listening to what content creators like you have to say about their puzzle images and quality. I first learned about them through Karen puzzles. She is totally fascinated with them, that fascination is contagious. I liked the vintage springbok puzzles better like you do. I love how weird shaped their pieces are. It’s the only brand that has such of unique piece cut I think in the United States. That alone does it for me. I don’t mind the squishy feel, I dislike the puzzle dust. I am yet to find the perfect puzzle. Thank you for your honest review. I like how you deliver your opinions☺️
Hi Laura! Thanks for your thoughtful comments! Springbok should perhaps hire some younger employees to help them get in touch with their less old-fashioned side. And yes, I much prefer their vintage puzzles than the rather boring puzzles they are producing now. Hate the puzzle dust, which means they must have a LOT of it! Thanks again for watching and commenting! :0)
So interesting! Love knowing the history of this brand. I'm sure I've done a few...Love the Just for Openers Puzzle...the key's are beautiful. With the summer heat, it's seems a good time to get back to puzzling. Those random cuts drive me crazy! You are such a fast puzzler! Can you believe I never puzzled as a child! How can that be?
Hi Sharon! No, I cannot believe you never puzzled as a child! Did you pick it up during the pandemic? Are you as addicted to puzzling as I am? Inquiring minds want to know. :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler I'm not sure how I started, but it's been a few years (a little before the pandemic). I love Halloween images (my birthday) and bought a couple of puzzles. My husband got started and I joined in...however, I prefer puzzling alone 😄 I'm VERY impatient, so I thought puzzling would not work for me. But, I stuck with it and now I do love it. I alternate puzzling and sewing baby blankets for Project Linus. I don't think I can compete with your level of puzzling however. As kids, we spent every minute we could outside, so I had no inside hobbies at all. I cannot remember even seeing a puzzle as a child. Can you imagine?
@@sharonj.1240 So does your hubby get booted out of the room when you puzzle? Does he have his own puzzle room? I'm also VERY impatient, but I never feel impatient when I'm working on a puzzle, except for the Krypt puzzle - that one was a nightmare! I also played outside as a child, but I always found the time to do puzzles. The only time I took a break from puzzling was during my college years. Now that I am retired, I puzzle ALL THE TIME! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! :0)
@@sharonj.1240 Sounds like you two have it all figured out. My hubby is NOT a puzzler, and is also NOT a fan of my puzzle storage room. Oh well. To each their own! Thanks a lot for watching and for commenting! :0)
I enjoy the Springbok brand and will probably always buy them, but I don’t disagree with you (except that I like a lot of the current images). I just picked up a vintage cartoon one at a garage sale called Mountainside Park-it’s going to be a challenge for sure!
I also grew up working Springboks and proudly called myself a "Bokker." I worked no other brand, and have a large collection. Cartoons were also my very favorite and I recently went on Ebay to see if I could snag two that I never had--space station and putt-putt. They were really, really expensive! I do not like new Springbok at all. Never minded the squish. I have competed in the old Springbok speed contests while I was in my college days. Now that I don't have little kids anymore, I have branched out and found lots of puzzle brands that entertain me!
Hi Leslie! Wow! It's super cool that you competed in Springbok's old puzzle contests! I always wished I had done that. How did you do? So how many of the old Springbok puzzles do you still have? And did you end up purchasing Putt Putt and Space Station, even though they were expensive? Would love to hear what your favorite brands are now. Thanks so much for taking the tine to watch and for commenting! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler My friend and I took 6th place in the pairs competition! I haven't purchased the puzzles, but I check fairly often and I will be ready to pounce when the time is right. I have about 100 Springboks from the 60's through the 80's. Once in awhile I get a new one as a gift, and of course I have to work it! Now I like lots of brands, just not the cheapo ones🙂.
@@lesliepostel5710 Awesome that you got 6th place! Also really cool that you have 100 older Springbok puzzles. I too LOVE a LOT of brands - sometimes I wish I didn't love so many different brands, but I do! Thanks for watching and commenting! :0)
Hi Laura! When I was a child, Springbok was the only game in town - at least for me. Now that I'm an adult and have tried all kinds of different brands, I know the difference between a quality brand and one that is just OK. I have a soft spot for Springbok because it was a constant of my childhood, but I'm just not a fan of them as an adult. Really appreciate you watching and for taking the time to comment. :0)
So funny that you don't like the squishy feel of the puzzle pieces, because I love, love, love that squishy feel, and I can't stand the hard feeling of brands like Galison or Mudpuppy - yuck.
Oh my, I cannot STAND squishy puzzle pieces!!! Different strokes for different folks I guess! Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment!! :0)
Frankly, I find myself avoiding Springbok puzzles. I don't like the squishy feel of the pieces and most of their imagery is either boring - run of the mill, the same as everyone else is producing - or far too challenging for my enjoyment. I recently tried to do Jungle Birds again. Quit well before I got halfway through and donated it. I still have Presenting Yellow. I will give it another go but I expect it to get donated too. My taste in puzzle images has shifted over the years. As I'm aging I'm finding I want interesting but less challenging images. The one thing I really enjoy in Springbok puzzles is the random piece cut. I've purchased a couple of SunsOut puzzles recently. Not the highest quality but they also have random cut pieces.
Hi Sue! Awesome that you still have some of the older Springbok puzzles - most of mine are long gone. My taste in artwork has changed a LOT since I was young, and I really cannot stand the thought of another hot air balloon puzzle, or barnyard puzzle, or Big Ben puzzle, or... I too LOVE the random cut of their puzzles, but I really dislike the squishy feel of their puzzle pieces. SunsOut is not a favorite brand of mine - I detest their boxes and also feel they are stuck in the past. To each their own! Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! :0)
I butchered my only SunsOut puzzle box just to keep the puzzle I liked assembling over and over again in my collection. The box top shows only the image of the puzzle. The rest that was on the top I added to the sides, and it looks great...and much smaller and more appealing!!!
@@bettyc.6280 Oh, good for you! I would prefer smaller, sturdier boxes from SunsOut. They're not the highest quality puzzles but they fit into my budget and have some images I enjoy.
Hi Karen! Yep, I do NOT like the squish! Squish-begone!! The most amazing part of comparing one of their old puzzles to a new one is how the pieces have NOT CHANGED at all in the 60+ years they have been in business! (Other than being slightly thinner). Amazing! Thanks for watching and your comments. :0)
I remember many a happy trip to Hallmark and looking through all the Springbok puzzles. Great trip down memory lane, Shannon!!
Hi Randee! Yes, I too remember being sooo excited to go to my local Hallmark store to take a look at the latest Springbok puzzles! It was one of the highlights of my childhood! Thank you so much for watching and for always commenting! :0)
I love vintage Springbok 1963-1973 the classic years pieces super thick, very rigid, random cut, great fit, great classic and op art! We have been chatting about the Springbok Secret Sauce of the 60s. Definitely quality changes noted starting in 1972 and by 1978 huge difference. ♥️. Loved the video!
Hi Carolyn! I agree - 1963 to 1973 were the best years for Springbok puzzles. Unfortunately, they are a shadow of their former selves. I will always have a soft spot for them as they were a HUGE part of my childhood, but I have moved on to much better brands, IMHO. Thanks again for watching and commenting! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler I’m am almost exclusively a vintage puzzler of many vintage brands but really no modern puzzles. What is your favorite modern brand you would recommend to try? Really enjoyed the video!
@@carolynbroussard9276 My absolute favorite jigsaw puzzle brand would have to be the SOONNESS brand, but the puzzles are pricey ($58), so you might not want to spend that much. For more reasonable puzzle brands that I love, I would recommend Magnolia, YAZZ, Art & Fable, Heye, Pomegranate, and New York Puzzle Company. Try one out and let me know what you think! :0)
Shared in the “Vintage Springbok Puzzles” Facebook group. Very informative. Thank you. 🧩
Hi Carolyn! Thank you so much for the share! I really appreciate you taking the time to watch and to comment! :0)
I adore vintage Springbok puzzles. I have around 230 of them. I love the squishy!! Microscopic Vitamin C and Midnight Snack are two of my all-time favs. Also love the creepy dolls 😂
Hi there! I'm not a fan of the squishy! I had the Midnight Snack puzzle back in the day. I looked up your Microscopic Vitamin C puzzle and it is wild! And I also had several of their "doll" puzzles - you're right, they ARE creepy. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! :0)
Great review and comparison! It brought back memories of all the Springbok puzzles I did back in high school.
Hi Mari! I figured you and I had similar Springbok experiences growing up. I loved them sooo much back then. Really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment! :0)
I did the mushroom house one also- and it's so cute. I agree their art now is very "done and done" but I do know a lot of people like that. I figure this way there is a company for those that like it and the rest for us ha!
Another thought- they don't need to even pay an artist- there is fantastic stock art and so on- they could update easily!
Hi Stacy! Yes, I think there are a LOT of folks who LOVE Springbok's artwork - I'm just not one of them. There are so many wonderful brands out now and it's wonderful to have so many options! Thanks for watching and for commenting! :0)
@@stacyssassystyles I think they are actively using *stock* art and definitely using AI. :0)
Wow! This was an amazing video and it must have taken you forever to put it together. I love listening to your reasoning reasoning about the puzzles and it given me new ways to think about mine. I’m just on my tenth puzzle as an adult puzzler and I find it all very interesting.
Hi Evelyn! Yes, this video was time-consuming, but I really enjoyed putting it together. I will always have a soft spot for Springbok puzzles, cuz that's where my puzzling addiction started. I really appreciate you watching and for taking the time to comment! :0)
Really enjoyed the history of this brand as well as your history with it. Top notch!
Hi Jim! I really adored Springbok growing up, but I wasn't very discriminating back then. I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for the brand, but I am no longer a fan of the brand. So many new and exciting brands out in the wild now that leave Springbok in the dust!
Thank you for always watching and commenting! :0)
Interesting to hear your views on Springbok of yesteryear and today. I got the impression that you felt that the images of today are not as good as those back in the 70s. I've only done three of these puzzles and all date from the 2000s. I just had a quick look at their website and a good number of the images are not wildly interesting. I didn't go through all the pages, too many! There were a few images that looked interesting but most of them seemed to be run of the mill. Some puzzle companies seem to get stuck in a groove with images and others come up with really modern and attractive images. I'm currently, slowly, working my way through Ravensburger's Squishmallows 1000 pieces. Look forward to your next video.
Hi PuzzlePiece! Totally agree with you. Their images are not in the least bit exciting. It's like they are stuck in the past and it's all so bland and unappetizing. Plus, I do not like the feel of their puzzle pieces. So many other new and exciting brands are out there now, and Springbok needs to get back into the game! Thanks for watching and commenting! :0)
Thank you for your honest review of Springbok “then and now”. I am glad you didn’t have any pieces stuck together. After having dozens of pieces stuck together in the two 500 piece puzzles i recently purchased i put them on my no go list. I would be interested in comments of other viewers who have done recent Springboks.
Hi Marcia! Wow, sounds like you got a couple of lemon puzzles! Hopefully others will chime in with their opinions of the brand. Thank you so much for watching and for commenting. :0)
Hi Shannon. I enjoy and appreciate your puzzle reviews. Thanks you.
Hi Susan! Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment! :0)
Just a few days before this posting I started on my first Springbok 500 called boat house which was dated 2019. There were a lot of connected pieces and had an odd feeling. Your word squishy is perfect. Just working on the border i had to jamb pieces together. I decided I was too old to spend time on it, packed it up and took it over to the library. Now working on a lovely random New York puzzle
Hi Sybil!! Yep, those pieces are squishy!! And I DO NOT LIKE SQUISHY!! Glad you had another puzzle you could replace it with. Thanks a bunch for watching and commenting! :0)
I really have to respect your opinion on Springbok puzzles because you have experience with so many more puzzles than I have! My own experience with Springbok puzzles is different than yours. My mother helped instill in me the love of jigsaw puzzles and I grew up working many Springbok puzzles. I have Springbok puzzles dating from 1965 through the present and I would rate them all much higher in quality. I like the tight fit of the pieces and the cushion-like feel as you place them. The Springbok puzzle boxes of the past were often very large and would sag in the middle over time. I am glad to see that the current boxes are smaller. The Springbok boxes I have from around 2017-2020 all seem to be holding up pretty well just like 1970's Undersea Enchantment. I bought the following current puzzles: Taco Table, Sunset Sailing, and Bang Bang Pop, but I haven't yet opened them to check the sturdiness of the boxes or to assess the level of puzzle dust. My only disappointment with Springbok puzzles is that I would like more of their images to include the work of artists. Springbok used to regularly include the work of artists in their puzzle selection. I found your Springbok puzzle review video interesting enough to make me go back and look at my collection and remind myself of my Springboks ! Thank you.
Hi Maggie! I wish I liked the feel of the puzzle pieces more, but I really do not. I guess it didn't bother me as a child though because I put hundreds of them together!
I do agree with you about the fact that the past boxes were large - BUT - they were made of stronger material than the boxes are now. Granted, the boxes are smaller now, but I think they are not in the least bit sturdy. It also looks like Springbok is now using AI to create a large amount of their artwork. I have no real problem with AI artwork, but I don't really like their selection of AI because the colors are too much for even me.
Glad I inspired you to go check out your collection. I bet it is AWESOME!! Thanks so much for watching and commenting! :0)
It's nice to still have a puzzle from your childhood. I was wondering why the green backing of your puzzle hasn't faded....because it stayed with you! I don't have any puzzles from my childhood but I do remember one that was green (probably shrubs and stuff..a typical landscape maybe) that I put together over and over again.
I think Springbok is an okay puzzle brand. The image REALLY has to attract me to purchase one, and that hasn't happened yet for the modern ones. Also, their oversized boxes steer me away.
Thorough vid! Loved that you showed your childhood Springbok puzzle collection!!
Hi Betty!! I actually had to repurchase the "Just for Openers" puzzle on eBay because I no longer had it. Either my mother tossed it out while I was away at college, OR I got rid of it during a move. Either way that puzzle is very sentimental for me.
I do think their boxes are significantly smaller in size than the ones from the 70's, which I appreciate, but my goodness the boxes are super flimsy!
Thanks for always watching and for commenting! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler I agree.! Flimsiness for such a reknown brand is unacceptable! It makes their product look like dollar store brands, honestly!
I appreciate the history and Longevity of Springbok puzzles. I will say it’s quite the workout puzzling a Springbok. Iykyk 😂. Great video !!
Hi there! I too really appreciate that Springbok is still viable after all these years, I just wish they would modernize a bit. Thanks a bunch for watching and for commenting! :0)
Wish I still had all my old Springbok. They were the best. The new ones are just not close to the old ones. They are not cut good and have things hanging on the pieces. This was very interesting.
Hi there! Totally agree - the old Springbok's were WAY BETTER than the new ones. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment! :0)
My favorite puzzle ive ever done is Verticalville by Springbok. I got extremely lucky and thrifted a complete one for less than $5. Only serious damage was one piece that was ripped in half, which i promptly glued back together with scrapbooking glue. I am absolutely obsessed with vintage Springbok puzzles and i have to fight my instincts not to buy every single one I see! Gotta save some for the other puzzle enthusiasts in my town 😂 there wasn't a puzzle from your childhood and young adulthood i wouldn't wanna do except maybe that candy apple one 😂❤
Hi there! Loved the Verticalville puzzle!! Can't believe one of the pieces was ripped in half - how dare they treat that piece so badly!
You are wise to avoid the "Candy Apple Fantasy" puzzle - it was a nightmare to put together.
Thanks a bunch for watching and for commenting. :0)
Could I suggest round puzzles as your next subject? Vintage Springbok, Waddington, new Ravensburgers….
Hi there! I'd love to do a video on round puzzles, but I do not own any vintage Springbok round puzzles, nor any Waddington or round Ravensburgers.
I do have a TON of round Bgraamiens puzzles, and some round eeBoo puzzles. But to be honest, I cannot afford to purchase a bunch of puzzles just to make a particular video. I do it *at times*, but I'm currently broke so I am *trying* not to spend any more money on puzzles (although my June puzzle haul is nothing to sneeze at).
Thank you for the suggestion, and I will keep it on the back burner for now. I really do appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzlerI am sure we can round up some puzzles for you to review. I have most of springboks and know others that have the others. I am sure we can hook you up :D
While there aren't many modern Springbok images that draw me in, I adore the vintage ones! I'm not encountering a ton of puzzle dust in the really old ones though. I wonder what the difference is between the ones I've acquired and the one you have to account for the dust variance.
Hi Robin! I'm with you with regards to the current lineup of Springbok puzzles - they are definitely NOT calling my name. Not sure what the difference is between the puzzle dust you have experienced and the puzzle dust I experienced; I just know that it was WAY TOO MUCH DUST for my liking. Really appreciate you taking the time to watch the video and for commenting! :0)
Springbok isn’t my favorite brand, but I do have a small collection. I am a huge fan of collage images, and I do feel they have a decent collection to choose from. Within the last few months, I have completed two brand new Springbok puzzles that both had a missing piece. I will say they have wonderful customer service, though, because both puzzles were replaced quickly with no questions asked.
Hi PuzzleGirl! Springbok does a great job on collage images.
Really good to hear that they took care of you with your missing pieces - not all puzzle companies do that.
I appreciate you watching and commenting! :0)
I have about 35 Springboks from the 60s and late 70s. They are mainly old masters, which I love. I’m especially impressed that they put effort and resources into teaching people about fine art. On the back of each is an in-depth essay on the work of art written by a historian or museum curator. The vibrancy of color and solidity of the pieces remain undiminished by age. I’ve only done 2 newer Springboks and have to say I was disappointed. The cut seemed sloppy and the pieces felt squishy as you describe them. And I completely agree with you on the contemporary images. That said, someone gave me a newer one that I’ll try. Maybe it will be a better experience. Great video!
Hi PuzzlingArt! The Springbok's from the 60's were really cool. Loved the round boxes from back then as well. Glad you enjoyed them.
Unfortunately, as you saw in the video, I am not a fan of their current artwork. It is sooo bland and unexeciting it makes my teeth grind! I purchased 8 new puzzles for this review, and I now wish I hadn't. Oh well, live and learn.
Really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. :0)
Thank you for putting together such an informative video. I really enjoyed it. In order to avoid dealing with puzzle dust, when I open a puzzle I dump it into a big bowl. I do my first sort from the bowl into cardboard trays that my cat's food came in. Most of the dust stays in the bowl rather than ending up on my table.
Hi Fifi! I actually purchased a colander to dump my puzzle pieces in, I just NEVER remember to use it! Thank you so much for watching and commenting! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler I stole a colander with larger holes from our kitchen that we never used, and it lives with my puzzles. I love it for getting rid of puzzle dust.
@@danacrouch9386 I bought a *PINK* colander just so I can use it with my puzzles that have a lot of puzzle dust, but I am not in the habit of using it. I'm going to have to make a concentrated effort to get in the habit. Thanks so much for watching and for commenting! :0)
“I am not a complete idiot, I know there are some of you who would like to rip my hair out” Lol, Shannon. I love it😂I agree with you about the outdated images and more traditional images of today. I think they are trying to somehow transition with the super bright colors of some of their puzzles, they would definitely benefit from listening to what content creators like you have to say about their puzzle images and quality. I first learned about them through Karen puzzles. She is totally fascinated with them, that fascination is contagious. I liked the vintage springbok puzzles better like you do. I love how weird shaped their pieces are. It’s the only brand that has such of unique piece cut I think in the United States. That alone does it for me. I don’t mind the squishy feel, I dislike the puzzle dust. I am yet to find the perfect puzzle. Thank you for your honest review. I like how you deliver your opinions☺️
Hi Laura! Thanks for your thoughtful comments! Springbok should perhaps hire some younger employees to help them get in touch with their less old-fashioned side. And yes, I much prefer their vintage puzzles than the rather boring puzzles they are producing now.
Hate the puzzle dust, which means they must have a LOT of it!
Thanks again for watching and commenting! :0)
So interesting! Love knowing the history of this brand. I'm sure I've done a few...Love the Just for Openers Puzzle...the key's are beautiful. With the summer heat, it's seems a good time to get back to puzzling. Those random cuts drive me crazy! You are such a fast puzzler! Can you believe I never puzzled as a child! How can that be?
Hi Sharon! No, I cannot believe you never puzzled as a child! Did you pick it up during the pandemic? Are you as addicted to puzzling as I am? Inquiring minds want to know. :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler I'm not sure how I started, but it's been a few years (a little before the pandemic). I love Halloween images (my birthday) and bought a couple of puzzles. My husband got started and I joined in...however, I prefer puzzling alone 😄 I'm VERY impatient, so I thought puzzling would not work for me. But, I stuck with it and now I do love it. I alternate puzzling and sewing baby blankets for Project Linus. I don't think I can compete with your level of puzzling however. As kids, we spent every minute we could outside, so I had no inside hobbies at all. I cannot remember even seeing a puzzle as a child. Can you imagine?
@@sharonj.1240 So does your hubby get booted out of the room when you puzzle? Does he have his own puzzle room?
I'm also VERY impatient, but I never feel impatient when I'm working on a puzzle, except for the Krypt puzzle - that one was a nightmare!
I also played outside as a child, but I always found the time to do puzzles. The only time I took a break from puzzling was during my college years. Now that I am retired, I puzzle ALL THE TIME!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler My husband has his own puzzle, and we work on them at separate times. I like it that way 😄
@@sharonj.1240 Sounds like you two have it all figured out. My hubby is NOT a puzzler, and is also NOT a fan of my puzzle storage room. Oh well. To each their own!
Thanks a lot for watching and for commenting! :0)
I enjoy the Springbok brand and will probably always buy them, but I don’t disagree with you (except that I like a lot of the current images). I just picked up a vintage cartoon one at a garage sale called Mountainside Park-it’s going to be a challenge for sure!
Hi Pam! Love that Mountainside Park puzzle - it is AWESOME! Thanks for watching and always commenting! :0)
I also grew up working Springboks and proudly called myself a "Bokker." I worked no other brand, and have a large collection. Cartoons were also my very favorite and I recently went on Ebay to see if I could snag two that I never had--space station and putt-putt. They were really, really expensive! I do not like new Springbok at all. Never minded the squish. I have competed in the old Springbok speed contests while I was in my college days. Now that I don't have little kids anymore, I have branched out and found lots of puzzle brands that entertain me!
Hi Leslie! Wow! It's super cool that you competed in Springbok's old puzzle contests! I always wished I had done that. How did you do?
So how many of the old Springbok puzzles do you still have? And did you end up purchasing Putt Putt and Space Station, even though they were expensive?
Would love to hear what your favorite brands are now. Thanks so much for taking the tine to watch and for commenting! :0)
@@persnicketypuzzler My friend and I took 6th place in the pairs competition! I haven't purchased the puzzles, but I check fairly often and I will be ready to pounce when the time is right. I have about 100 Springboks from the 60's through the 80's. Once in awhile I get a new one as a gift, and of course I have to work it! Now I like lots of brands, just not the cheapo ones🙂.
@@lesliepostel5710 Awesome that you got 6th place! Also really cool that you have 100 older Springbok puzzles. I too LOVE a LOT of brands - sometimes I wish I didn't love so many different brands, but I do! Thanks for watching and commenting! :0)
That’s was very interesting thank you
Hi Vivian! Glad you enjoyed it! Really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. :0)
The best quality is from 1963-1973 in my opinion pieces in the earliest era are firm and thick!
I’ve never liked Springbok. I think Cobble Hill is a lot better for random cuts.
Hi Laura! When I was a child, Springbok was the only game in town - at least for me. Now that I'm an adult and have tried all kinds of different brands, I know the difference between a quality brand and one that is just OK. I have a soft spot for Springbok because it was a constant of my childhood, but I'm just not a fan of them as an adult. Really appreciate you watching and for taking the time to comment. :0)
So funny that you don't like the squishy feel of the puzzle pieces, because I love, love, love that squishy feel, and I can't stand the hard feeling of brands like Galison or Mudpuppy - yuck.
Oh my, I cannot STAND squishy puzzle pieces!!! Different strokes for different folks I guess! Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment!! :0)
Frankly, I find myself avoiding Springbok puzzles. I don't like the squishy feel of the pieces and most of their imagery is either boring - run of the mill, the same as everyone else is producing - or far too challenging for my enjoyment. I recently tried to do Jungle Birds again. Quit well before I got halfway through and donated it. I still have Presenting Yellow. I will give it another go but I expect it to get donated too. My taste in puzzle images has shifted over the years. As I'm aging I'm finding I want interesting but less challenging images. The one thing I really enjoy in Springbok puzzles is the random piece cut. I've purchased a couple of SunsOut puzzles recently. Not the highest quality but they also have random cut pieces.
Hi Sue! Awesome that you still have some of the older Springbok puzzles - most of mine are long gone. My taste in artwork has changed a LOT since I was young, and I really cannot stand the thought of another hot air balloon puzzle, or barnyard puzzle, or Big Ben puzzle, or...
I too LOVE the random cut of their puzzles, but I really dislike the squishy feel of their puzzle pieces.
SunsOut is not a favorite brand of mine - I detest their boxes and also feel they are stuck in the past. To each their own!
Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! :0)
I butchered my only SunsOut puzzle box just to keep the puzzle I liked assembling over and over again in my collection. The box top shows only the image of the puzzle. The rest that was on the top I added to the sides, and it looks great...and much smaller and more appealing!!!
@@bettyc.6280 Yep, the SunsOut boxes are just plain god-awful! :0)
@@bettyc.6280 Oh, good for you! I would prefer smaller, sturdier boxes from SunsOut. They're not the highest quality puzzles but they fit into my budget and have some images I enjoy.
I do not care for them past and now I tried older and they were have moldly smell . I pass them at thrift stores .
Hi there! Yep, Springbok has definitely declined over the years. Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment! :0)
Not much of a fan of Springbok puzzles. I put my money on other brands with better quality. Good review. 💕
I hear ya, but I have a soft spot for Springbok because they were my introduction to puzzling. Thanks for watching! :0)
Agree, I am not a fan, I don’t care for that squishy feel.
Hi Karen! Yep, I do NOT like the squish! Squish-begone!! The most amazing part of comparing one of their old puzzles to a new one is how the pieces have NOT CHANGED at all in the 60+ years they have been in business! (Other than being slightly thinner). Amazing! Thanks for watching and your comments. :0)