what is the best way to crack a PSA card out

pick6investments

I prefer to crack and resubmit rather than try to get a bump from the same company.I have had NO luck. I have damaged 2 of 4 cards I tried to crack. Any help would be appreciated

ZodiacMindwarp

I've never done it myself but this link should help:

How to open a graded card slab

Aknot

Two words:

Dremel Tool

OK maybe not and I have promised I would try but never got around to it. Im cleaning my garage today so who knows what will happen.......

jrdolan

This is the way I do it: Work the edge of a sturdy knife (such as a hunting knife) into the seam at one of the upper corners (lower corners are too close to the card). Carefully work around that corner while pressing in until you break the seal. Then turn the blade so the case cracks.

Pry apart with fingers the rest of the way, keeping a close eye on the card. Be VERY careful your knife does not slide anywhere near the card! If the seam is so snug you can't work the knife into it, take a pair of pliers and carefully snap off one of the upper corners so you can get your blade in there to twist.

With one of the holders (BVG) there is no seam along the side so you MUST snap off a corner before you can get a blade or flat screwdriver in there and pry the sides apart.

With sufficient care this works for me. I have not damaged any cards.

Edited to say: Oops I was writing this while the above link was being posted. Good instructional page.

Jmnesq

I've had no problem with this:

Take a hammer, hammer completely across the top of the slab. Clear away the plastic pieces, put a flat object (knife, screwdriver) between the slabs and pry the two apart.

WinPitcher

razor knife..........

Aknot

Here is the best way.....

PSA vs Dremel

BugOnTheRug

quickest way and 100% success so far:

1) insert slab upside down into 4" or larger bench vise, clamping tightly only on the very top lip of slab. (Roughly 1/4" or less will be gripped by the vise jaws). When tightening, you will hear 'crunching' sound of the lip starting to break.
2) wiggle carefully back and forth until top lip breaks free from the rest of the slab.
3) gently pull or pry the remaining halves away with a screwdriver to expose card and remove.

total elapsed time start to finish: 19 seconds (Just busted a 84D Ryan PSA 7 for this purpose)

I've done several cards in the $50-100 range without failure. Not much mess and no damage to card. I've also done it this way for GAI and SGC slabs, but I'm a little more careful due to the black inserts.

Sorry Aknot, Dremel is too dusty and time consuming for me.

BOTR

Aknot

The Dremel is a "joke". Although I noticed the cracking you were refering to when I tightened the clamp. You cant go wrong with power tools.

ALTHOUGH it does work and without "dust". Since the holder is plastic and the Dremel spins so fast it "melts" the plastic as it "cuts". Im going to do a Beckett here in a few...

CADILLACN97

i just use some "dykes" or wire cutters and completely break off 3 of the edges, then 'open' it like a door. never had any cards get damaged, although your eyes might from flying plastic. takes a little time and cleanup, but it is the only way I have found that doesn't risk accidental card (or human) damage at all. using a hammer you could miss, or you could slip with any knife. try a few suggestions and see what works best for you.

ctsoxfan

I agree, the Dremel demonstration is way too much work (cool vid, though!). I crack open one of the top corners very carefully with a pliers or similar tool, and then wedge a screwdriver into the slab, prying it apart. Use the top of the slab for this purpose, since it is away from the actual card, and wear eye protection (seriously).

envoy98

Yeah, eye protection is always a good idea!

I use a hammer and chisel to break away the top corner, then a gasket scraper to slide along the top lip which tends to pop it apart nicely. Every once in a while, you get a case that didn't quite seal all that well and it pops apart like nothing. Other times, you have to pry a little bit and you have to be very careful, if you try to get it to "pop" and it doesnt, you end up breaking the back of the case about half-way down the back and then you're kinda screwed. Then you have to be even more careful. I've had very good success with this technique. The only card I've ever damaged was taking one out of a BGS holder. In fact, the card came out perfect, but when I cut the plastic insert they put the card in I kinda "sqeezed" the edges to get the top to open up, similar to a regular penny sleeve, when I did that, as I was pulling the card out it bent the card right in half...oops. It was a $120 Tom Brady UD Pros & Prospects rookie.. and I broke it out of an 8.5 holder.... now it's a 1. That sucked.

Anyway, moral of the story, be careful, wear eye protection and try a couple of different methods. One will work best for you.

Aknot

Nothing is as fun as power tools though.

Solar77

I've always just gently taken a hammer to the top of the slab, then once a corner is removed, I slowly pull the two halves apart. I've done a couple dozen and never hurt a card.