Any suggestions on an alternative to Card Savers that don't bend and warp?
 

It seems to me that a large percentage of Card Savers I've received in the mail don't want to lay totally flat. I've never bought a new box of them though, and maybe they are totally flat when they are new?

I bought a box of Ultra Pro's version. Most of them are so curved coming out of the box that I don't want to put a flat card into them.

Also, are there any that are slightly more rigid than the typical Card Saver I or Card Saver II ?

Any help would be appreciated. I just bought a group of tobacco cards that I will be keeping raw and would like to find the best and safest way to enjoy them. I know top loaders are safer, but to me, the extra piece of plastic (penny sleeve) makes it just a bit harder to see all the colors of the card.

Several months ago I transitioned all my cards from "Cardsavers" to mylar sleeves. I met the owner of http://tcverify.com at a card show and he gave me a free sample of these mylar sleeves he was producing. I ordered from him twice and was very happy. It's been six months since I ordered from him, but last I heard he was producing mylar sleeves sized for T-206 cards.
If you email or call him I bet he would send you a sample.
Larry

Hey Luke. I use 2 mil mylar in a top loader. Mylar is way cleaerer than poly (penny sleeves). Mylar is also available in thicker 4 mil sleeves that are meant to be used alone. I prefer the rigidity of top loaders myself, and nowhere does it say you HAVE to use a sleeve with them. I've dinged just as many corners putting cards into sleeves as I have top loaders.

I never understood the appeal of card savers... why not just use a top loader?

Top loaders, the cards get damaged easier with insertion and removal. Top Loaders are a no go.

Luke,

I've used Card Saver II forever, and ever, and ever :). Always are flat for me. :rolleyes:

Scott

I've used just about anything that's been made since the mid 70's, and I prefer toploaders with a penny sleeve.

No damage if you're not in a huge rush or clumsy.

I have also used Mylar inside a toploader, and with mine, it protected very well. But when I went to remove some, the mylar was stuck to the toploader. Not from any cemical action, but because the air had gotten out from between them (Like wringing gage blocks together.)

It's also easier to increase protection, as I put a lot of cards into sleeves then when I can I just add the toploader.

I haven't had any issues with Card Savers staying flat. I use a combination of Ultra Pro, Stor-Safe, and Card Saver II. I don't really have any preference between the three. I only use them for T206's so maybe with other size cards, they don't stay as flat. Here's a picture with three stacks. Left to right, 100, 200, 70. No issues of them wanting to tip over. I mainly like this type of holder because it's thin and they don't take up much space in a box.
http://www.comicplace.com/net54/370ungraded1.jpg

If I was Native American my name would be "Adam Drops His Cards", so that's a no-go for me.

That lightened my mood today. Thanks!

I drop one occasionally, and they usually do ok with the sleeve and toploader. But I also usually tap or push them to the bottom. (88 Donruss make nice cards to push with )

Some toploaders are a bit closed in the middle, and someone going quick or not paying attention could peel a corner or scuff an edge if they're not using a sleeve.

Thanks for all the suggestions and help guys. Sounds like my warped card saver problem is an isolated issue. I'll probably buy a box of new ones and see how that goes.

Luke, I have definitely had warped card savers. Its most apparent when you look at the actual edge/seam of the saver. I've had it warp cracker jacks into the shape of the holder then when it gets graded you can see the wave in the card. It sometimes happens with T206 as well. Its not a problem with bigger more rigid cards like Goudey or Topps.

Its usually a bad batch. Some of the discounted boxes on ebay might be stored in hot locations for a long period and cause the plastic to soften and warp or it could just be bad Chinese made crap. If you take a warped one and practice holding the top and bottom edge tightly and running it up and down on a table edge it can straighten it a bit but sometimes its a throw away batch...try a different supplier maybe.
GB

I would just stick with card savers
 

If kept in the correct climate warping should never be a problem. Top loaders are crap as far as I am concerned. Too easy for cards to fall out of them and if something happens holder will damage a card faster than a card saver. Card savers are much safer than a top loader. I have seen top loaders and penny sleeves damage far more cards than I have ever seen a card saver damage.

But they made toploaders for tobacco cards. Nobody likes them?

http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f6...lberfeldWP.jpg

Card savers and top loaders work for me, but I can see how one could damage cards if one is not careful, especially if one were just using Top Loaders.

Except when they don't fit the boxes, and you can't stack a second box without bending whatevers in a card saver.
If you put the toploaders open end up, there's no way a card should fall out.

I really like the idea of mylar sleeves. I keep programs in mylar sleeves and they look fantastic. I checked out the site, the card sleeves seem small. Any chance you can post a pic of a regular sized card in sleeve?

His DIY "slab" is a pretty interesting concept.