Posted By:
jverri01Scott -
All 4 of the cards I bought encapsulated I "set free".
How I do it (and to ALL other graded cards I set free):
capsule held in upright position on solid surface. Regular screwdriver inserted in to "gulley" along top border. Lightly tap screwdriver w/a hammer. This merely breaks the seal. You then push the screwdriver further in to the wedge and turn scredriver head so point is vertical, not gorizontal. This "lifts" the 2 pieces from one another. You can work around the entire edge this way, and never even come close to touching the card itself. If done properly, the plastic isn't even cracked - you simply pull the two idependent pieces from one another by "disengaging" the adhesive.
In the past, I was more haphazard about it: saw, bolt cutter, etc. Then, one day - I completely wrecked the border of a card in a PRO 8 holder (I find PRO holders to be the toughest to crack, followed by SGC. I find PSA easy to break). Granted, the card was probably trimmed - but, trimmed AND damaged? (OK - I can see it coming: many people will follow-up this post and say trimmed IS damage...I agree...want to cut that one off at the pass...)
Anyway, my two point five cents.
James