Proper way to crack a card out of the slab?
 

What is the correct way to crack a card from the slab, without damaging the card of course? I have some cards in GAI slabs that I may want to crack, in order to submit to PSA or SGC. And in the future, I may even want to crack PSA or SGC cards for a re-grade. What would be the right way to do this?

I know for crossovers, you don't have to do this, but I've read some articles where people think that the current grade in the slab might affect the grader's opinions. I don't know if I'll ever do this, but if I do, just wanted to know how to do it.

Thanks!
Gary

Gary, there are numerous threads with a lot of different methods discussed. I'm sure you'll find a method that suits you there...

To help further, try something like this...
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ght=Crack+slab

Thanks!

I sometimes use the same technique that is used in lock bumping.

I just slam the slab onto a concrete foundation as hard as I can throw it! That almost always works. But if your throwing arm aint what it used to be, then a bandsaw cut widthwise along the top (1/4 inch from the edge) is a good start.

I have a big craftsman vise that I put them in. I crack each side edge with the vise and the front and back usually lift right off easily afterward with no damage to the card inside

1. Crack off upper corner with needle nose pliers.
2. Slide screwdriver in and CAREFULLY separate the top and bottom pieces.

I have never harmed a card with this method, but I am very careful.
JimB

SGC is unbiased
 

For whatever it's worth, I have submitted some pretty expensive cards to SGC as crossovers and received a bump in grade from the PSA holder. If you're cracking to submit to SGC, I'd say it ain't worth it.

I can vouch for JimB's method. Go slow though at first.

I usually just send my slabbed cards to Frank.

And does he liberate them?

about 2 weeks ago i cracked out some cards for the first time, to put them into Ultra-Pro sheets. BVG, PSA, and SGC. I used only a flat head screwdriver for all 3. SGC and PSA were both quick, like under a minute, and the cases were kept in tact. Just wedge it into the seam and twist until it gives. When it gives, slide it in and run along seam. For BVG, it was very similar, but took a couple mins (for me) to break the seam cuz the plastic chips away. I think I broke open 3 BVG holders and all 3 I had to snap pieces of plastic away before being able to break the seam.

Rob
:)

He liberates me.

I've never cracked a card out of a slab, but after reading RobG's post, it got me wondering about something. If I recall correctly,don't these TPG's advertise that their slabs are tamper proof? Meaning that if you tried to open the slab,it's supposed to crack (like RobG's BVG slab),and not remain intact?

RobG-would you say if you were to put your card back into the intact holders,and seal them cack with glue,would it be obvious that the slab had been tampered with (like,would there be "frosting" all the way around the slab,or some other obvious sign)?

Thanks,

Clayton

When you guys break cards out of their holders, do you send the flips in so that their respective populations can be updated?

When cards are sent for crossover to PSA or SGC, do they send the flips from the old slabs?

About a year ago this question was asked to SGC - they said they have never received any SGC flips from PSA. Don't know if they send PSA's back to them and if so that PSA does anything about it either.

It should be understood that pop reports are not accurate anyway for many reasons. What they are useful for is comparing relative populations as we can reasonable assume the inaccuracy is relatively equal. e.g. if 100 T205 Cobbs are graded and 200 T205 Matty's are graded, we can conclude that Cobb is tougher then Matty.

Clayton, I believe I threw the slabs away, though I can check when I get home. I do remember (after breaking the SGC and PSA cases open) putting the two pieces of plastic together and thinking/wondering how an experienced slab-popper might be more careful and possibly get it to look legit. I could tell that if I had tried to put it together, it would be obvious when compared with a non-tampered slab that it was tampered with. I believe there have been tampered slabs on ebay for SGC and PSA - but perhaps those were old slabs and they've improved their technology?

I didn't send in the flips, but I do have them and would include them with the cards (or send them in) if I were to sell them.

Rob
:)

I believe the next evolutionary step for slabs will be RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) chips embedded in the flip.

Thanks RobG,,,,,,I guess BVG slabs aren't the best looking,but at least they are solid and not as easy to manipulate.

Clayton