Hand Cut Cards

PFB

I was hoping someone might be able to share some information on how the hand cut cards are graded. When I have submitted them myself, measuring, using a high end cutter, I never receive above a PSA 5. I see a bunch of PSA 10's, 9's, etc... do you have to go to a professsional print shop to have them cut from the box bottoms?

Again, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Peter

LarkinCollector

Can you post some pics/examples? They would be useful in helping determine why they were graded what they were and if there's a chance to do some minor cleanup and get a higher grade. If you're primarily doing box bottoms though, it's likely due to surface issues on the card itself and nothing to do with the way they were cut.

edmundfitzgerald

You are getting 5's because of the box folds in the cards ?
1985 opc is notorious for these folds in the cards from the box bottoms.

Raulsmaster

You're definitely missing a surface wrinkle/crease if you're getting 5's because they aren't that hard to get 10's in anything hand cut in my opinion

wrestlingcardking

I have subbed hundreds of hand cut cards and have done alright.....at first I thought it was tough, but I have got the hang of it. There are still a lot of people out there that just do not use a good trimmer.

dytch2220

A scan will definitely help us give you some direction on what you may be doing wrong. Also, what model cutter are you using?

DanBessette

<< <i>A scan will definitely help us give you some direction on what you may be doing wrong. Also, what model cutter are you using? >>



IF you're doing something wrong. As Kyle and somebody else said, sometimes box bottoms have surface issues, no matter how perfectly they're cut.

akuracy503

Sorry to pose an off topic question...Curious what others think about the value of Hand Cut cards that get number grades such as Mint 9 or Gem mint 10. Besides the POP report factor do you all think the price of a gem mint 10 will hold over time?

I'm finding that hand cut cards such as Bazooka are truly "niche" type collections and attract a small handful of collectors. Same thought, wondering how this market will look over time.
As it stands today there is a huge difference between an authentic vs gem mint hand cut card, at least in the Bazooka examples i've seen.

Then there are other variations such as the panels that are cut and preserved as a 3 card panel. Then there's another level of a whole bazooka box left intact.

Hand cut cards are such a difficult type of price out.

CubsFan41

<< <i>You're definitely missing a surface wrinkle/crease if you're getting 5's because they aren't that hard to get 10's in anything hand cut in my opinion >>



What is the best tool for hand cutting? The cutter I bought left the back of the box bottoms jagged or chipped looking.

JoeBanzai

I use a steel ruler and an "ex-acto" type knife to cut my cards. I have a pair of jewelers magnifying glasses and change the blades often.

edited to add; cards must show almost all of the lines around card, either "dotted" or solid. Some would argue ALL of the lines must show.

Borders must be clean and even all the way around. Many of these have surface issues as they are often from boxes that were put on shelves and got scuffed up. Fold lines are also a problem.

JHS5120

I use this and I have no complaints.