Verdict on screw downs

[irv]

Originally Posted by perezfan

I have found that the recessed screw-downs often allow the card to move around within the case, and do not hold firmly enough. Especially those that are molded for tobacco-sized cards. This movement in itself can cause more damage than any perceived issue with non-recessed cases.

And I cannot even find recessed cases for Goudey... so I go with non-recessed, and not a single example has subsequently failed to numerically grade.

For sure using the proper size, if available, is paramount but according to many on this site, many have had issues over the years.
Not saying one way or another if they are good or bad as I never encountered any problems the way I used and stored mine, but by the sounds of it, many have.
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=152019

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by irv

For sure using the proper size, if available, is paramount but according to many on this site, many have had issues over the years.
Not saying one way or another if they are good or bad as I never encountered any problems the way I used and stored mine, but by the sounds of it, many have.
https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=152019

Hmmm... maybe if exposed to extreme humidity, a glossy type card could stick to the top half? Curious to know what were the specific issues, if you can recall?

I’ve never seen a detailed example from anyone but I’m betting any cards with issues have been stored in places not considered safe in any collectable situation. I know many collectors who have stored cards in places with no environmental control such as non climate controlled storage units. Where is as important as how in my experience. I’ve seen old plastic toys crumble due to poor storage. Cardboard and is even more sensitive to the elements.

[bmattioli]

I had been storing my prized cards in screw downs since 1984 but moved them to recessed holders out of fear of reading articles of the potential damage they can cause. Never saw any damage..

[Fred]

My negative experience with a screw down holder.

Purchased a T201 (very think stock card) in a screw down holder. I removed 3 of the 4 screws and while working on the fourth screw, the top part of the plastic piece barely shifted, but it was enough to tear a corner off my WaJo T201. Yeah, I was a little bummed out. Lesson learned - loosen ALL four corners before trying to remove the card.

[bnorth]

I don't store any cards in them. I do use them a lot for shipping single cards. They are the best insurance you can get against damage. Most screw downs you could run over with your car and not damage the card inside it.

[JustinD]

At the time you really did not want this to happen value wise, I tried removing a Brett Hull rookie from a screwdown. It peeled the top layer up on at minimum, a quarter of the card. This was one of those extra thick screw downs, so I was not pulling, it was basically gravity. Never touched them again.

Also, I know many people that received the dreaded “altered stock “ designation when trying to grade their 80s collections of screwdowns. This is 2021, not a chance I would use such an outdated storage method when there are so many I think are visually better.