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| 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. |
| | | Posts: 318 | Location: United Kingdom | Registered: March 25, 2006 | 
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Bronze Card Talk Member
| 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!!
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My dog is a RotweillerXLabrador. He'll bite your leg off but he'll always bring it back to you.
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| | | Posts: 509 | Location: Auckland New Zealand | Registered: January 26, 2011 |
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| 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. |
| | | Posts: 318 | Location: United Kingdom | Registered: March 25, 2006 |
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Bronze Card Talk Member
| 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.
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Traded with Deena, tragicend, Pochacco, Greg Geerts, tradeacard, barobehere, xtime, blwilson, derigel, Salama, mccheese8472, wolfie, glim, BILLZEE, Bond, Warrior Babe and Juelle Lou
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| | | Posts: 749 | Location: Rockford,Illinois | Registered: July 01, 2009 |
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| Excellent pic. I will give this a try with the next packs I open. Thanks Btlfannz.
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Traded with Deena, tragicend, Pochacco, Greg Geerts, tradeacard, barobehere, xtime, blwilson, derigel, Salama, mccheese8472, wolfie, glim, BILLZEE, Bond, Warrior Babe and Juelle Lou
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| | | Posts: 749 | Location: Rockford,Illinois | Registered: July 01, 2009 |
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Bronze Card Talk Member
| 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.
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My dog is a RotweillerXLabrador. He'll bite your leg off but he'll always bring it back to you.
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| | | Posts: 509 | Location: Auckland New Zealand | Registered: January 26, 2011 |
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| 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
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My dog is a RotweillerXLabrador. He'll bite your leg off but he'll always bring it back to you.
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| | | Posts: 509 | Location: Auckland New Zealand | Registered: January 26, 2011 |
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| quote: if anyone wants a sample I will send you one for nix
What is "nix"? (sorry for my bad english, I am french) |
| | | Posts: 878 | Location: Paris, France | Registered: May 21, 2004 |
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Silver Card Talk Member
| 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. |
| | | Posts: 2424 | Location: North Augusta, SC, USA | Registered: November 28, 2002 |
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| 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'
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My dog is a RotweillerXLabrador. He'll bite your leg off but he'll always bring it back to you.
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| | | Posts: 509 | Location: Auckland New Zealand | Registered: January 26, 2011 |
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