I have never cracked open a psa, gai, sgc slab before.....

[Archive]

Posted By: Mark Turner

what is the best and safest way to do it. thanks in advance.

[Archive]

Posted By: Jason

your Gem Mint Johnson???!!!
(sorry, couldn't resist)

[Archive]

Posted By: Joe Jones

I always take a small saw and saw about 1/4 inch into the corner of the slab. Then if you stick a screwdriver in the slot where you made a mark, it will pry the rest of the slab open with ease (like butter . It is the safest way I have found and it takes about 30 seconds on any brand slab. I can post pics on where to make a saw mark later tonight.

[Archive]

Posted By: Griffin's

PSA's and SGC's are easy, just pry them apart,starting at the top of the flip, furthest from the actual card.
GAI and BGS are tougher, I use a dremel to clip a couple of corners off before prying.
I'd do it in a garage- if you do use something to cut the corners the shards of plastic will fly, and stepping on one hurts worse than stepping on a piece of lego.

[Archive]

Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Ive never cracked out a GAI. PSA & SGC are so easy, you can do it while holding a conversation in your living room - just wedge and pry. BVG is the opposite. I wound up hacksawing off the top, while holding it in a machinists vise; all the while recognizing that Im glad it is a lower grade card. I have no plans to crack out a BVG again.

[Archive]

Posted By: Patrick McMenemy

I have cracked more than a dozen slabs. I did get careless once, however, and I ended up chipping an edge on a T210.

My mistake was not keeping the slab flat on a surface. As the slab was breaking in two the card shifted and came to rest under the tip of my flathead screwdriver.

KEEP THE SLAB FLAT SO THE CARD CAN'T SHIFT!

Patrick

[Archive]

Posted By: steve f

BVG has the bulkiest holder, but the easiest to crack.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/153652/thread/1136272829/

[Archive]

Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Steve: that method of coming face on to a holder at right angles with the head of a screwdriver, to be used as a chisel, is clearly not for the faint of heart. And if you think that approach = easier than prying PSA and SGC slabs, I gotta wonder what your definition of easy is.

[Archive]

Posted By: Frank Wakefield

I originally used a hack saw. And it takes a couple of minutes. Saw the bottom and a side. Then pull it apart. It is a bit messy.

Now I go outside and tap the bottom edge and side with an old masonry hammer. I use the chisel or cutting edge. This fractures the edge of the holder, the cracking doesn't migrate to the card area. I save the little PSA or SCG slips. This way is quicker and easier. I hammer it outside on some stonework near where my trash cans are.

It is a great feeling!!! And they store so much easier.

Frank.

[Archive]

Posted By: steve f

Gil, No question, it's wicked scary the first time, but remarkably safe (no shards)and quicker than any other technique. I've had many graded BVG before being won over by PSA and SGC. I collect lower grades anyhow and certainly wouldn't try this on a Cobb or other high vals.

IMPORTANT; I don't think it'll work for any other holder brands. -Steve

[Archive]

Posted By: Rick

At worst the slab offers good protection, lower grade cards are not inmune to water damaged such as flooding, bugs , kids etc.

It could be easier to store raw ...but really its not that much space.

If you do open them, please send back the labels, the pop reports can be a valuable tool if we all try to help now and then.

[Archive]

Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Rick - with all of the respect in the world, this is a slab cracking thread. Your pro-slab position is off topic here.

[Archive]

Posted By: Frank Wakefield

You tell 'em, Gilbert!!!

I might auction off all of my little PSA and SGC labels on eBay, in one big lot, just to see if anyone really is interested in "helping" the pop reports. Of more concern might be the folks who get cards "regraded". Do ya reckon they mail in those little labels??

Hmmmm.... I might try to find my best T206 HOFer, maybe he's an 8... and mail him in for grading, bust him out, mail him in again, and again...

[Archive]

Posted By: Rick

LOL

My mistake Gil.

[Archive]

Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Wicked scary sounds about right, but I bet it is exhilerating when successful. I guess I have to try it.

I've only had the one BVG tho, they don't come up that often.

[Archive]

Posted By: MikeW

You would think these slabs (PSA and SGC especially) would be easier to crack open considering how easily they "frost" from the slightest tapping on hard surfaces.

[Archive]

Posted By: Gilbert Maines

Mike - they (PSA & SGC) are extremely easy to crack open. I have used a metal nail file quite successfully until I lost it - now I use whatever is handy: a kitchen knife is most readily available, but a fork or small spoon will do.