Do you keep or throw out the wrappers?

April 28, 2013, 02:37 PM

JR2D2

quote:
Originally posted by allender:
I keep a wrapper (a set, if there are variants) for each base set I figure to complete, and about four extras for people who are looking for them.

I tried twisting and pulling and sometimes couldn't get more than one "pristine" wrapper per box for modern sets with crimped foil closure.

Same here, ever worked out a good way to loosen crimped edges without ripping the packet other than take it slow, tease it a bit at a time and hope for the best. I'll spend ages opening all the packets in a box until I have good examples of all the pack variants to be had. The packets with less glue seem to come apart more easily. I wish they would just use less glue across the board.

April 28, 2013, 11:38 PM

btlfannz

Here's a technique I always use that will open about 90% of all wrappers in a pristine condition. It takes a bit practice to get it right.

Assuming you are right handed, pinch the two sides of the pack join between your thumb and list finger of your right hand. Now with the pack back facing you press one edge of the seal with your middle finger of your right hand on one side and the middle finger of your left hand on one side of the pack. Finally grip the nearest edge of the pack seal between your left hand thumb and first finger. Now put the pressure on the seal by slightly pulling the pack apart with your right hand.
If the pack doesn't pull apart completely, just create enough pressure to make the pack "pop" a small hole. I then slip the thin blade of a letter opener of a pocket knife into the hole and holding the pack flat on a smooth surface gradually work it open to both ends. To open the pack completely, repeat at the other end and then slowly work the sealed edge apart using your thumbs on each side of the selvage edge..
Whew!! Brain surgery sounds less complicated but it does work!!

April 29, 2013, 02:29 PM

JR2D2

quote:
Originally posted by btlfannz:

Assuming you are right handed, pinch the two sides of the pack join between your thumb and list...

I lost you after that but it sounds like it could be the technique I use but if it is I have far less success, may be 10-20% success depending on the manufacturer.

Not that it really matters, so long as I have good examples at the end of the break. The rest of my wrappers get binned anyway.

April 29, 2013, 05:07 PM

btlfannz

Ah! Well done, you spotted the deliberate error then.

April 29, 2013, 10:14 PM

Lovemesomecards

quote:
Originally posted by btlfannz:
Here's a technique I always use that will open about 90% of all wrappers in a pristine condition. It takes a bit practice to get it right.

Assuming you are right handed, pinch the two sides of the pack join between your thumb and list finger of your right hand. Now with the pack back facing you press one edge of the seal with your middle finger of your right hand on one side and the middle finger of your left hand on one side of the pack. Finally grip the nearest edge of the pack seal between your left hand thumb and first finger. Now put the pressure on the seal by slightly pulling the pack apart with your right hand.
If the pack doesn't pull apart completely, just create enough pressure to make the pack "pop" a small hole. I then slip the thin blade of a letter opener of a pocket knife into the hole and holding the pack flat on a smooth surface gradually work it open to both ends. To open the pack completely, repeat at the other end and then slowly work the sealed edge apart using your thumbs on each side of the selvage edge..
Whew!! Brain surgery sounds less complicated but it does work!!

Holy cow I think this requires a video. It drives me crazy that some wrappers open fairly easy and then with others pretty near all of them tear. I am serious about the video though it would be interesting to me at least.

April 30, 2013, 01:31 AM

btlfannz

OK I'll try and do it on my smart phone. Be warned that I had to go to night school just to learn how to turn the damn thing on!!

April 30, 2013, 01:51 AM

btlfannz

No, a video is way too difficult for a techo bimbo such as my ilk.

However, by some miracle or other I have managed a still which should at least show you where to stick your fingers (pardon me)

May 01, 2013, 12:40 AM

Lovemesomecards

Excellent pic. I will give this a try with the next packs I open. Thanks Btlfannz.

May 01, 2013, 09:50 AM

John Tirohn

I have a garage with wrappers stuffed here and there, RA I thought I'd count and redeem but never got around to it. For other manufactures I keep a couple of good wrappers and dispose of the rest.

May 08, 2013, 12:04 AM

kane1

Years ago I try finger and scissor/edge techniques until noted the aluminum/metal packs after sometime loose their great look.

May 20, 2013, 11:30 PM

kane1

Let be clear I'm not advertising this auction it is only as part of curiosity related to the topic.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-L...&hash=item20d2d394a3

Does buyers are interesting in empty wrappers or are lazy people that don't read?

If the number #1 is the correct. I really threw to the trash a lot of potential money.

May 22, 2013, 06:20 AM

Juelle Lou

That's how I open my wrappers too Sean

It's works for me on about 75% I think, depends how impatient I get.
The real crazy thing is, I still end up keeping most of the not too torn up ones too

May 23, 2013, 01:36 AM

AlexC

Well, I've kept a few wrappers around from the last few products I opened. One thing I learned, a rack pack is virtually impossible to keep in good condition when been opened.

May 28, 2013, 01:50 AM

btlfannz

Dat's 'cos of the 'ole in da top selvedge!!

Some other wrappers that are deadly to try and open in one piece. Any of the plastic wrappers such as Impel and the early Marvel Universe packs, most of Lime Rock product. Topps in the early 90's had cards in cellophane wrappers (like Hook and Gruesome Greeting Cards) which were dynamite to open as they were so brittle and thin that they virtually crumbled in your hands.
Then the Upper Deck packs had foil wrapped packs that was like they were cut from the side of a tin can they were so thick.

My favourites though were the Comic Images sets of the mid-90's. These were so lightly sealed that the wrapper came apart with a touch giving a perfect wrapper every time.

Finally, the safest way to open a wax pack to ensure no tears (or tears!) is to lightly touch it with a warm iron then open it quickly.

May 28, 2013, 11:11 AM

Bill DeFranzo

Have you tried a hair dryer to unseal a waxed wrapper? It works great for removing promo panels or sell sheets embedded in magazines like Previews.

May 29, 2013, 06:32 AM

HolmbergsCorner

For some reason I've started saving all of my wrappers. The idea I have is that soon enough I'll put a wrapper in amongst the collection, in the beginning or the end, so that I know from which wrapper the cards are from. In case I forgot or need to search for it for some reason. I have a very unevolved technique when I open my wrappers, but still I rarely rip the front. Boo-yah!

May 31, 2013, 10:53 PM

btlfannz

Just in passing, I have spare wrappers for nearly 400 sets and if anyone wants a sample I will send you one for nix. Typically, they are all pre-2000 though.
LMK

June 01, 2013, 05:43 AM

Szym

quote:
if anyone wants a sample I will send you one for nix

What is "nix"? (sorry for my bad english, I am french)

June 01, 2013, 11:26 AM

allender

quote:
Originally posted by Szym:
quote:
if anyone wants a sample I will send you one for nix

What is "nix"? (sorry for my bad english, I am french)

Forgive him too, he's from New Zealand.

Nix = for nothing, rien, nada, gratis.

June 10, 2013, 01:45 AM

btlfannz

quote:
Originally posted by allender:
Forgive him too, he's from New Zealand.

Damn your yankee eyes sirruh, consider your application to become a New Zealand citizen formally revoked (unless you come bearing large gifts of the green folding stuff)

Incidentally, in my home town of London we would say that 'nix' is pronounced 'nuffink'