The Cork Trick

I show you the cork trick - can you figure it out? All you need for this trick is two corks (or alternatively, two chapsticks). It may look easy until you try it for yourself...

Write in a comment below if you are able to figure it out or not!

[ultrablue]

The real genius is in how someone came up with this from scratch.

[jacobcleveland]

I think I figured it out! Very fun and interesting. I will definitely share this with my friends!

SPOILER: (possible) solution below












Rotate your hands such that one is twisted 180 degrees wrt to the other. Place the right hand thumb on the end of the cork in your left hand, left hand thumb on the cork in the right hand. This should make a sort of square shape with the corks parallel and the thumbs parallel. Then one should be able to place either the index or middle finger of each hand (middle is easier for me) on the other end of the cork and separate your fingers.

I believe the trick is the twist; because left and right hands are mirror images of each other, one needs to twist in order to make room for the thumb and other finger to place the cork in the nook/cranny thing of the hand. Otherwise, trying to place them one at a time forces one to drop the other. Moreover, the thumb and finger are on the wrong side and can't fit in to place the cork.

The problem seems similar to how it is awkward trying to shake hands when you use opposite hands (right shaking left, left shaking right).

UPDATE: I have realized there is actually a slight catch with the technique. It is not enough to just twist one hand wrt to the other, one must also place the untwisted hand in front, and the twisted hand in back, otherwise the cork will be in the wrong spot, like if you tried shaking the back of someone's hand with the back of your own hand.

[janeleeyc]

Hi Henry! Not sure if you’ll ever see this lol, but great Instructional vid! I’m pretty bad at these things so it was super helpful to see a “what If you get stuck” situation. Will have to try this for myself ASAP!

[Kaldrin]

Couldn't remember what it was and your video did help lol

[Liseuk]

Nope…. Cannot figure it out!! Driving me nuts 🤪😳