Breaking SGC Holders....

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Posted By: <b>Aaron M.</b><p>Is this the same routine as PSA holders, or do you guys advise a different strategy? <BR><BR>Thanks, <BR>Aaron

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Posted By: <b>T206 Collector</b><p>This is from Bruce Moreland's website (I have no idea who he is, but I liked his website -- <a href="http://www.seanet.com/~brucemo/card_articles/deslab.htm" target=_new>http://www.seanet.com/~brucemo/card_articles/deslab.htm</a>)<BR><BR><BR>PSA<BR>There are two halves to a PSA slab -- the front half and the back half. These two halves are driven together by a process that I have never seen (I've heard that it uses sound waves), to create a tight seal. If you pick one up, you can feel the joint all the way around the outer edge.<BR><BR>Sometimes the seal is extremely tight, and sometimes it is not. You can slide a knife blade (a big one that won't break, like a hunting knife), into the joint and pry the two halves apart.<BR><BR>I have found that it is best to start in a corner and go all the way around, before trying to pop the two halves apart. You know you are making progress if you hear a crackling sound -- that is the sound of the seal breaking.<BR><BR>Try to avoid cracking the case itself. If you do this, you can still take care to break the seal the rest of the way around, but everything becomes harder and more risky.<BR><BR>I think it is a bad idea to try to get the card out before the two halves have popped apart.<BR><BR>Sometimes it is very easy to open a PSA slab and sometimes it is a terrible ordeal.<BR><BR>SGC<BR>SGC slabs are constructed the same as PSA slabs, only there is a plastic insert that you have to be careful of. Make sure it doesn't slip around.<BR><BR>I've found that SGC slabs are usually easier to open than PSA slabs.<BR><BR>BGS<BR>BGS slabs are not at all like PSA or SGC slabs. They work more like the top lid of a shoe box. You can try the knife blade technique if you like, but it's hard to get the knife into the joint, and it's quite likely that the knife will slip and stab whatever is underneath the slab. This is not usually a positive outcome.<BR><BR>You can use pliers to try to break the lip off all the way around. This is effective, but it should be noted that sharp bits of plastic will fly everywhere at high velocity, and you should take appropriate precautions.<BR><BR>BGS slabs are usually harder to open than PSA slabs, but sometimes you'll find one that opens pretty easily.<BR><BR>Once you get the card out, you'll find that it's in a little bag. You can use scissors to carefully cut around the edges and get the card out.<BR><BR>

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>In my short tenure, and having broken about 5 different kinds of slabs, including PSA,SGC,CSA,BFD <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> etc.....I just use a small wire cutter type pliers, crack it a little bit far away from the card and then pry it with a screwdriver. Some are harder than others though. Has worked well for me so far (knock on wood)....breast regards

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Posted By: <b>Marc S.</b><p>&lt;EOM&gt;

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Posted By: <b>runscott</b><p>What a paradox - it's also the slab that makes the least sense to crack.

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Posted By: <b>Julie</b><p>and saw between halves with a strong but sharp knife; then turn the knife at a 45% angle, and the thing comes apart with a gratifying sound.<BR><BR>GAI and BGS, however, call for the vise-grip plyers, and breaking bits off all around the edges. For weeks afterward, I find bits of plastic in EVERYTHING.<BR><BR>Ben's Ramly Brown--remember from the "Picture sharing thread!"--just arrived. I wonder how it escaped grading? (I traded him three cards for it.) <BR><BR>I think I'll sleep with my early 20th century album tonight if Bob doesn't mind. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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Posted By: <b>runscott</b><p>My rule is to never use sharp objects when a dull one will suffice.

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Posted By: <b>jay behrens</b><p>I prefer blunt objects myself. That way the victim dies a slow, twitching death and the blood leaves a very artist splatter.<BR><BR>Jay

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Posted By: <b>Julie Vognar</b><p>..and the very last JBTB I need.(Thanks, Brian H)<img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1075043517.JPG">