Hand-cutting: How to do it properly?

jrdolan

I have a strip of 1971 KedKards. It has four players from different sports: Willis Reed, Bubba Smith, Stan Smith, Johnny Bench. Someone cut the whole panel off the Keds shoebox and left it intact. I need one of these players for a PSA registry and I suppose I will try to sell the others. How do I hand-cut this? Scissors, paper cutter, razor.. does it matter as long as I cut outside the dotted lines? Also, will PSA's grader look at this fresh cut and decide it was trimmed from an earlier cut? Did it have to be cut around the time of issue?
Thanks

Aknot

First off your link is not working.

Metal Ruler wooden "table" surface. CARPET BLADES in a carpet blade holder. BE VERY CAREFUL. Carpet blades are sharp as all get out, I have the scars to prove it. Wipe the blades off as they usually have an oily residue. PRACTICE cutting on some "paper" that is the same thickness.

As for the grading thing I do not know what thier (PSA) view is.

bobsbbcards

I didn't know you were doing the Stan Smith registry.

Hand cut cards do not have to be done around time of issue. You can do it on the way to mail off your submission if you want. Don't use scissors since the line will not be straight. Don't use a paper cutter because very few paper cutters have a blade sharp enough or thin enough to do a decent cut (they tend to bend things). Razors should be used for shaving.

Like Aknot says, find a metal ruler that can lay flat on your item. Purchase a cutting mat at any art supply store. You can probably eyeball what you want the margin to be around the item (for KedsKards I would keep it outside the white box). Use a very sharp exacto knife (with new blades). If you are doing quite a bit of cutting, be prepared to change the blade pretty often (you will know). Hold metal ruler steady, and press blade lightly against edge. Don't press down hard (let the weight of the exacto knife and the sharpness of the blade do the work for you). Pull exacto knife towards yourself a few times (might take three swipes). Item should pretty much just fall away. Repeat for all 5 sides (or so).

Hope this helps. If you cut off your fingers or any other bodily appendages, don't come bleeding to me (on the bright side, you might have cut the card!).

Bob

jrdolan

<< <i>First off your link is not working. >>


The link works when I click on it. Not sure what to change on it.

bobsbbcards

<< <i>

<< <i>First off your link is not working. >>


The link works when I click on it. Not sure what to change on it. >>


I downloaded your file to my Mac desktop to see if I could figure out what was wrong. PhotoShop could not open it because there was "an unknown or invalid JPEG marker type" found.

PictureViewer on my Windows machine was able to read it. Nice looking card!

If somebody else wants to see it, they can right click on your link, save it to their desktop, and use File/Open in Explorer to view it (Explorer must not be using PictureViewer to view JPEGs directly in an HTML page on some people's machines).

Aknot

<< <i>

<< <i>First off your link is not working. >>


The link works when I click on it. Not sure what to change on it. >>


hmmmm when I click it I get the "red X". I will check when I get home.

jrdolan

Edited original post to include scan for those who couldn't use my link.

KallMaloneSay

Many of the major trimmers use a Rotatrim which uses a circular cutting motion and doesn't leave bat ears, I think you can get one online for about $225 or so.

67standup

I've heard good things about Rotatrim, but it's a bit pricey. How many times will you really use it after this?

Or... coat the sides you want trimmed with the juices from a nice steak (no steak sauce though), place in an open field, and let nature's creatures have their way. I strongly recommend placing a 100 lb. weight on the surface area that you do not want eaten.

Aknot

I had to open with Quicktime. Hmmmm what did you use to "format" that picture?

jrdolan

I don't know how I screwed up that pic, but I can't see it on my computer. If anyone could fix it and post it, I'd be grateful.

Thanks for all the good advice. Maybe I can pick up a used Rototrim from you know who.

CADILLACN97

when i was in high school, in art class, there was a big cutter that always cut perfect. any kind of paper, cardboard, etc. it was just like a big table with levels and rulers with a huge blade that you just pulled down to cut. i don't know what exactly it is called. maybe you know someone from a school, or your kids go to school and you could use it. with a new blade, i can imagine it would do the job pretty well. just a thought??

Stone193

shouldabeena10

Take them to any local print shop, and for about $10 they will cut them the right way for you on their cutter.... and you'll probably save a ton in medical bills too.

Mike

jrdolan

I think I finally fixed the link and the posted scan. Hey stone, you got an extra one of those guillotines? How accurate is it?

I have access to one of those paper cutters like Cadillac is talking about, maybe I'll experiment with that.