So crack the slab or not?

[yanksfan09]

Matt,

I agree that the slabs are great for protection. I like being able to go through a stack of slabbed cards and not having to be extremely delicate with them, especially if others may be handling them. I buy raw and slabbed, but I've never cracked a slab open. I may though if I had a lot of raw cards and wanted to display a slabbed card with them to keep everything the same.

I would say that the penny sleaves for graded cards are a must. I hate when I buy a slabbed card and the case is blurry with lots of scratches and scuffing. If it's real bad sometimes you may have to crack it open or resubmit to get reholdered just to see and enjoy the card.

It depends on the set, but I love the way many look in the SGC holders with the black around them. It's like framing a canvas painting. Some look nice with a frame and others look great raw. It's really just about personal preference and changes with each issue I think.