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T206 CollectorThis is from Bruce Moreland's website (I have no idea who he is, but I liked his website -- http://www.seanet.com/~brucemo/card_articles/deslab.htm)
PSA
There are two halves to a PSA slab -- the front half and the back half. These two halves are driven together by a process that I have never seen (I've heard that it uses sound waves), to create a tight seal. If you pick one up, you can feel the joint all the way around the outer edge.
Sometimes the seal is extremely tight, and sometimes it is not. You can slide a knife blade (a big one that won't break, like a hunting knife), into the joint and pry the two halves apart.
I have found that it is best to start in a corner and go all the way around, before trying to pop the two halves apart. You know you are making progress if you hear a crackling sound -- that is the sound of the seal breaking.
Try to avoid cracking the case itself. If you do this, you can still take care to break the seal the rest of the way around, but everything becomes harder and more risky.
I think it is a bad idea to try to get the card out before the two halves have popped apart.
Sometimes it is very easy to open a PSA slab and sometimes it is a terrible ordeal.
SGC
SGC slabs are constructed the same as PSA slabs, only there is a plastic insert that you have to be careful of. Make sure it doesn't slip around.
I've found that SGC slabs are usually easier to open than PSA slabs.
BGS
BGS slabs are not at all like PSA or SGC slabs. They work more like the top lid of a shoe box. You can try the knife blade technique if you like, but it's hard to get the knife into the joint, and it's quite likely that the knife will slip and stab whatever is underneath the slab. This is not usually a positive outcome.
You can use pliers to try to break the lip off all the way around. This is effective, but it should be noted that sharp bits of plastic will fly everywhere at high velocity, and you should take appropriate precautions.
BGS slabs are usually harder to open than PSA slabs, but sometimes you'll find one that opens pretty easily.
Once you get the card out, you'll find that it's in a little bag. You can use scissors to carefully cut around the edges and get the card out.
01-22-2004, 04:04 PM
Breaking SGC Holders....
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etc.....I just use a small wire cutter type pliers, crack it a little bit far away from the card and then pry it with a screwdriver. Some are harder than others though. Has worked well for me so far (knock on wood)....breast regards
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