Cracking a BGS / BVG case

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Posted By: Richard

Sorry for the delay in starting this thread.

This is, what I believe, the easiest way to crack a Beckett case. It takes about 10 seconds with the right tools. The first time you use this method, you will probably have a heart attack - especially if you are cracking a high end card.

I would recommend first starting off on a cheap $1-5 card for practice. Once you are comfortable with the process, then start cracking those Ruth and Mantle rookies!

Tools: Decent quality hammer, sizable flathead screwdriver - I use a 1/4 craftsman, safety goggles, hard surface/floor - I use my garage slab, and a couple of sheets of newspaper.



Spread out the newspaper. Place the flat of the screwdriver blade vertical so that the bottom edge of the flip (label) is about in the center of the blade.



Give the top of the screwdriver a good whack with the hammer, driving straight down. If you don't hit hard enough, the case will not split cleanly in half.



WHACK!!



Tada! Case splits right down the middle. The flip is a little crunched - hope you didn't want to save it. The card is still housed in its protective sleeve which will need to be cut open with scissors.



10 seconds flat. A job well done. Now let's start cracking to skew them pop reports!

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Posted By: jay behrens

I would think this would put pressure on the center of the card and possibly crease it or at least leave a mark.

Jay

I've just reached Upper Lower Class. I am now officially a babe magnet for poor chicks.

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Posted By: quan

that sounds, and looks...incredibly scary. i don't even wanna know how richard came up with this method!

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Posted By: Richard

Jay - no pressure is applied on the card at all. I believe that the Beckett case is made from a much more brittle (and harder) plastic than PSA, SGC and GAI so it tends to crack and splinter rather than bow.

I have probably cracked about 50 Beckett cases and have never had a problem with bent cards.

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Posted By: Richard

Q - I knew you would love it!

Remember, if you love your Jagrs, set them free!

I hope the thread was worth the wait

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Posted By: Glenn

That is the coolest thing I've seen all year.

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Posted By: zach

Richard sporting the BGS slab Very cool method with cool pics though I do agree with Q, it looks a wee bit scary.

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Posted By: Wesley

Nobody knows about freeing Beckett cards like Richard. That method doesn't look completely safe to me, but if Richard says it works then it works. Good stuff.

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Posted By: bigfish

this could be the reason why the pop reports are off. Snap crackle pop = very watered down pop reports since the same cards get logged in several times at different graded

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Posted By: Brian Daniels

none of us have BVG held cards! Not a one! You own all the Vintage ones ever graded by them now~

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Posted By: t206King

i think that method works well! vary well! i used to use a table saw to cut the vary upper part of the case then get a screw driver and try to pry it open, never had a problem. but this looks awesome, good work!!!!!! beleive me no pressure applied to the card. it just cracks. the plastic doesnt bend down, unless u r on a soft surface if your on a flat surface, it works great.

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Posted By: Richard

I realize that this method does seem scary, which is why I recommend buying some cheap Beckett cases to experiment with first. Don't start by cracking your high dollar cards.

The first time you crack a case, chances are you will be apprehensive and not hit the screwdriver hard enough. This will cause the crack to not travel vertically down the length of the case. You may end up with a curved crack which ends at a side. This will also occur if you don't have the blade of the screwdriver perfectly vertical. Worst case, if this happens, you can use a flathead screwdriver to pry the rest open.

Remember, it takes a good strong whack to split the case cleanly in half.

Good luck!

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Posted By: quan

so after a restless night pondering of cracked BGS cases and freed Jaromir cards dancing in my head...heeding Richard's advice (and following with blind faith) I decided to try it out:



....crack, CRACK, CRACKED!!!!! It took 3 tries:



ahh it worked! My god it worked, Richard was NOT playing an April Fool's joke, in early January.



good as new. Now I just need to gather enough courage to crack out cards upwards of over $10...

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Posted By: Wesley

LOL

Look at the curve on Quan's BGS holder compared to the straight professional job on Richard's. You can always tell the difference between the amateur Beckett crackers from the pros like Richard.

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Posted By: Elliot

LOL

Not to mention that the pros use much better tools (i.e. graphite hammer rather than something that was left out in the rain).

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Posted By: quan

just cracked out my 2nd...the carnage was even worse than the 1st, card still miraculously not damage.

p.s. sorry e those tools have been in my family for generations. they may not be much to u but they are the only thing left to remind us poor immigrants of our homeland in this strange, cold world...

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Posted By: Richard

Q - you may want to consider a screwdriver with a bigger blade. You may be having problems because the width (not length) of the blade tip is too skinny.

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Posted By: Brian Daniels

You only go with good old US of A CRAFTSMEN screwdrivers! Yeah baby~
you got it going on now.

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Posted By: Ray

After these action shots, I feel like I need to add Richard and Quan to my list of All-Time Greatest "Hitters"!

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Posted By: Cy

Richard,

Thank you for your excellent explanation on how to crack BVG cases. I remembered this link and remembered the pictures that you presented, even though they are gone now.

I took a $100 card into my garage, put my newspaper down, picked up the hammer and screwdriver and CRACK, it opened immediately. And it was fun and a rush that this might ruin the card. But it was just as easy as you described.

By the way, I am in education so I look at the way someone presents his information. Your description was as good as I have ever seen.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Cy

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Posted By: Richard

Cy -

Glad the info was helpful. I should have put a disclaimer that I am not to be held responsible for any damage that is done to cards or people while performing this procedure.

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Posted By: identify7

Seems to me that a vintage hammer brings a lot of character to the operation. Anyone can use the shiney stuff, if you like it.