Difference between rough cut and worn or chipped edges?

edwin5375

I still consider myself a newbie (less than a year grading and PSA). I always enjoy looking at other's posts, but now I want to see if the group can help me. I have seen several posts that PSA does not count off for a rough cut on a card. But what counts as a rough cut?

I have been cracking open some 1981 topps football packs. As you may or may not know, there is a white border around these cards (everyone I am sure has seen the Joe Montana rookie card as an example). It seems that some of these cards come straight out of the packs with slight wear or chipping along the edges. So is this a rough cut, or just wear from sitting inside pack? I am not at my home to post some scans, but if it would help to get a better answer, I can post a scan or two as examples later on this evening.

By the way, these cards did past the smell test that I saw recently on the board!!

Thanks and any help or information is appreciated!

Glynparson

You can absolutely have wear on cards right out of the pack. a rough cut is extra cardboard along the side of the card that usually results from dulling blades being used to cut the cards. On 1981 football most rough cuts that i have seen are not so severe that they look brown but are more often fuzzy looking or a few extra strands hanging off the edge..

edwin5375

Thanks Glyn! Maybe you or someone else can help me out with another question. For centering purposes on the 1981 topps football set, is the measurement from the top of the colored inset border or the top of the "t" which extends above the border? I hope this makes sense, but if it doesn't again I can post a pic if needed.