Toploaders?

[phillyfan24]

Are there any that are considered the best to use? I see a lot of them out there. Thank you, Jamie

[the 'stache]

I always use Ultra Pro top loaders, penny sleeves, one touches, team bags and graded card bags. I just trust them.

[the 'stache]

Come to think of it, when I start doing my sets, I'll be using Ultra Pro padded binders and platinum series 9 card sleeves.

I've always been very pleased with their quality.

[RobertGT]

Top loaders (all brands) are no longer the industry standard. They still allow way too much movement of the card, forcing you to buy penny sleeves just to keep the cards secure. Even then if you ship a card in a top loader, there is still a chance it will slip out the top when turned upside down and crease the card. It is for this reason that they are not accepted for grading submissions.

They are also expensive and heavy when you're trying to move a large quantity of them. So basically just to keep your card secure you have to 1) buy a top loader 2) buy a penny sleeve and put the card and sleeve in the holder and 3) put a piece of tape over the top of top loader before shipping.

All of these steps are consolidated into one by buying a Card Saver or the equivalent Ultra Pro holder. Plus your cards also look much better and more vibrant in them. I use Card Saver IIs for storage - as they will fit in any standard storage shoebox - and Card Saver Is for grading submissions.

[the 'stache]

I have to disagree. 95% of the cards I buy, including 100% of the cards from comc.com, are in top loaders. I have purchased about 400 cards from various sources over the last three years, and have not received a one in a card saver. Not a one. Penny sleeve, top loader, and team bag.

So card savers are hardly the "standard", at least for modern cards. They don't offer enough protection for cards. Now, for shipping to a tpg? Yes, that's what they want. But the card(s) and card savers are taped in between pieces of cardboard, then placed in a box with bubble wrap or peanuts. I would never store my cards in card savers.

[cubsfan-budman]

yeah, I'm torn on this.

i totally agree with Bill that Card Savers are the "standard". top loaders are far more common from my perspective.

that said, i feel like i bang up corners inserting cards into penny sleeves, so i have started moving towards card savers myself. i have found that some card savers do tend to yellow over time, while my Ultra Pro toploaders seem fine after many years.

card savers are great for removing cards from them (which is why i think they're great for grading submissions), but i find them not great for inserting the cards...if the corner is somewhat dinged, when sliding them in the saver, i think it can exacerbate the corner wear.

Anyhow, its a toss up. Find something from Ultra Pro or BCW in my opinion. Acid free, etc.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

I have to disagree. 95% of the cards I buy, including 100% of the cards from comc.com, are in top loaders. I have purchased about 400 cards from various sources over the last three years, and have not received a one in a card saver. Not a one. Penny sleeve, top loader, and team bag.

So card savers are hardly the "standard", at least for modern cards. They don't offer enough protection for cards. Now, for shipping to a tpg? Yes, that's what they want. But the card(s) and card savers are taped in between pieces of cardboard, then placed in a box with bubble wrap or peanuts. I would never store my cards in card savers.

I have to agree with Bill, but certainly none of the current methods of storing are perfect. I have had better luck using penny sleeves & top loaders though.

[the 'stache]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Ultra-Pr...item3f1cb48a58

Angle-cut penny sleeves might be helpful for ya, Christian.

[cubsfan-budman]

Thanks for the heads up!

Originally Posted by the 'stache

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Ultra-Pr...item3f1cb48a58

Angle-cut penny sleeves might be helpful for ya, Christian.

[jimm]

Have just started getting the 3 row boxes for regular issue sets, all cards in penny sleeves, stars in top loaders. For the oddball stuff and extras I'm using the leftover Card Guards in shoeboxes.

[Tanman7baseball]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-Ultra-Pr...item3f1cb48a58

Angle-cut penny sleeves might be helpful for ya, Christian.

Thats awesome I was just going to mention I slice one corner of all my penny sleeves before I put the cards in. I guess I should of did some research because that would have saved me A LOT of time lol. Cut exactly 1000 penny sleeve corners in the last month...damn oh well.. I use top loaders for everything. The card savers are too flimsy for my taste

[the 'stache]

If it helps you any, Jamie, all of my personal collection cards (the majority of which are Bowman Chrome autos) that are not graded are put in one touch cases, and then into graded team bags.

[phillyfan24]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the input. Jamie

[Beatles Guy]

If you have over-sized cards such as the before mentioned 50's cards, Ultra Pro does make a vintage top loader and vintage penny sleeves. I had to have my local shop order them but they are well worth it.

[brob28]

As you can see everyone's experience is slightly different. Whether I use a top loader or card saver, I put my cards in a penny sleeve. To avoid damage to any corners, I make a small cut down one seam to open up the sleeve a bit to avoid damaging the card. A pain in the ass but effective for me. That said, I was not aware of the corner-less penny sleeve's the stache mentioned.

[Exhibitman]

I use Card Savers. The problem with top loaders is that I tend to crimp or crease the tops of the cards when I pick up the holder or shuffle through a bunch of them in a box. Plus, I tend to rip my cuticles on the edges and blood on cards never comes out.

[cards01fan]

I always take the penny sleeves and slice the side of them with a knife, just about a 1/4 inch and the card slides right in

[brewing]

I detest tape. If you must tape, blue painters tape is highly recommended. It leaves no residue and doesn't require a razor blade, scissors, or knife to cut thru it.