Best way to open slabbed cards?

nezara

Does anyone have a suggestion on the best way to break cards out of slabs? I like to buy cards on ebay, crack them open and send them off for autographs. I just use a hacksaw to cut the bottom part of the slab and then get the card out.....but I worry I'm going to damage the cards sometimes. Any suggestions on a safer way?

lsutigers1973

SGC slabs pry open with a screwdriver without breaking the slab.

PSA slabs I always clip the corner by the flip with a wire cutter and make sure to clip enough that goes into the recessed area where the fip is. Then use a screwdriver to pry open the case. If you gently work your way around the edges, it opens rather easily without damaging the card.

BGS slabs require a jackhammer, a table saw, a 2-ton wench, a screwdriver and good insurance.

Bosox1976

I do same as LSU on PSA except I use pliere and just snap the corner off rather than snip it off. I used to use shears, but the flying debris was too much for me.

lawnmowerman

I like to use my riding mower.

BassPro77

16lbs sledge hammer works well

CNote

Ya know those tiny silver screwdrivers that come in a red case- people often use them to fix items like their glasses, or get the cover off the battery compartment of a child's toy (my main use)...well, get the flathead, and stand your slab straight up. Align the screwdriver with the seam, and with a couple taps of a hammer you can crack it- you'll be able to run the screwdriver along the rest of the seams, and eventually pull the slab (any of the 3) apart with your hands and it'll come apart in two clean pieces. Did two SGCs this morning actually...

dizzle

No need to get techical on opening slabs...with any of them PSA,SGC,BGS

all of them open up fine by snipping or breaking of the top corner by the flip you can use pliers vice grips cutters etc. place a small flat head screw driver in between the 2 pieces and twist, the welds break and you can go around the slab if needed..

This works on any slab.. usually takes about 20 seconds topps for any of them..

FredJRI

How does one know if they purchase say for example a PSA 8 or BVG 8....1955 Topps Ted Williams
that the original card was not in the slab but substituted lets say with a 5 or 6 ???

1959

"when it was a game".

Seaverfan

WIWAG, yes sir!

craig44

boy, those wiwag days were definitely wild.

back to the opening of slabs, the guys from 15 years ago forgot one of the most important parts. to properly open a slab of any brand, the tip of your tongue needs to be sticking just slightly out of your mouth.

FredJRI

... you better believe it ! lololololol

scmavl

The new PSA slabs (since around June of this year) are a beast, as they bend instead of cracking. I have cracked dozens of PSA slabs, usually in less than a minute. But I was at a basketball game with a card to get signed, and forgot to crack it first. I had to use my car keys and a small set of jumper cables. Sliced my hand in two places, took 45 minutes, but I got it out. Got it signed and it only went from a 9 to an 8 when regraded. I'll take it!

bgr

I use one of these now and just nibble the edge at the label and then twist a standard head screwdriver in between to pop the slab open. I recommend safety glasses.

ElMagoStrikeZone

We sure have come a long way since the days when you pop one open by accidentally dropping it on a tiled floor.