W551 strip cards with sloppy cuts
 

Wondering if there is a standard thing collectors do in this situation.

I recently acquired a couple W551 cards that seem sloppily cut. There is also a decent amount of excess border on both the left and right, meaning it would seem possible to improve on the cuts without making the cards smaller than they should be.

Would such an act be totally legit given that these cards are intended to be handcut or would it be "card doctoring" in a bad way?

In my opinion if you hated the look of them as is and planned to keep them long term, go ahead, or try to trade them for one you like better. If it is for selling though I would leave them alone.

Personally I don't think there is anything morally wrong with cleaning up the cut on the cards as these cards were intended to be hand-cut as you mentioned. Some people actually prefer the rough cut as it likely indicates an early cut where others are probably turned off by it. I have a couple Ruth's and as you can see its pretty clear one was cut recently and one was likely cut way back in the days. I like each of them for different reasons.

Wow, what a pair to have Ruth and Cobb together!! You must love that card.

He better love that card. Thats all I'm saying. lol

It is one of my favorites...the images don't look a thing like either but the colors are amazing and you can't really get a better pair on one panel.

Yep, I'd take Ruth/Cobb even over Trammell/Molitor or Ryan/Koosman!

;)
Had it re-holdered and just got it back from SGC today Brad. Worked out well because it motivated me to finally crack out my Cobb in BVG 2.5, which came back SGC 50! All's well that ends well right!

Awesome Ruth/Cobb panel!!!!

As far as strip cards with sloppy cuts, that's the norm. Ten years ago most looked like they were cut with a grapefruit spoon. :D IMO Since TPG's started putting numerical grades on them, it seems more are going under the knife.

See now there is a reason you didn't like that nick in the holder that they had and that bump in the Cobb made up for it. Glad you like the strip its on of my favorites but glad it went to a good home.

I've got a Cobb strip card W516 1919 I believe the year is which is not cut but has a tear. Cobb being my favoirte player of all time and the condition I still hope one day to obtain my holy grail card. (Cobb green portrait t206).

Even other strips were cut crooked to begin with

Nice Ron ^!!!