Choosing the right card protectors...how?

[chump]

I will never use or buy Ultra Pro ever again.  I received a warning thanks to miscut(slightly longer) sleeves.  The sleeves were brand new.  20-25% of them were miscut.  Fortunately the sleeves in question were not key cards and there was no pattern as it was completely unintentional on my part.

Also, I noticed that Ultra Pro are more prone to scratch cards when shuffling.  Dragon Shields or Japanese (esp. Gunmetal Black) are the way to go.

[dicemanx]

@Feanor:

I already posted one link to the Japanese Gunmetal sleeves. The seller is Toad and Troll, and they sell packs of 100 for $4.75. Hurry, only 682 left in stock . If anyone else finds another online store that sells them, feel free to post a link.

Incidentally, I've been playing with those sleeves for over 2 years, and they still look like new. On top of that, I haven't had a single sleeve split on me yet.

[Mick#7]

well...i don't exactly have problems acquiring Gunmetal sleeves..since their sold in all major card stores in Singapore...where I play..but personally..i prefer using the japanese sleeves..

[TimeBeing]

i use japanese and am going to try the Gun Metal since everyone talks so highly of them

coolstuff has them

http://www.coolstuffinc.com/miscProducts_main.php?info1=Card%20Sleeves&info2=Japanese%20Sleeves


funny this came up i just resleaved my deck last night. god i hate doing that.... pulling that lotus out and trying to get it in a new sleeve with out the sharp edges nicking it kills me.... Luckly my last batch of Jap sleaves lasted for about a year.

[Ephraim]

People seem to be suggesting Dragon Shields. May I assume that they've increased in quality, then? I bought a box of them ages ago and enough of the sleeves were poorly fused (too narrow to get a card into) that I could barely get a deck and a sideboard out of a 100 sleeve pack. Since people are recommending them, this problem has cleared up, neh?

[Smash]

People seem to be suggesting Dragon Shields. May I assume that they've increased in quality, then? I bought a box of them ages ago and enough of the sleeves were poorly fused (too narrow to get a card into) that I could barely get a deck and a sideboard out of a 100 sleeve pack. Since people are recommending them, this problem has cleared up, neh?

They are still HORRIBLE. Different sizes, shapes, and colors in the same box. STAY AWAY!!!!

[Prism]

UltraPro has this new make of sleeves that are actually *good*

are they as short as the older ones? if they are, they can never be good for me ;P.

[BrokenNut]

Smash have you tried them recently? Perhaps you got a bad batch when you purchased them whenever that was. But I got a box of 10 packs of 100, and they are all the same. I don't see any noticeable difference between different sleeves, from the same box or not. And I have not had any problem with actually fitting the cards into the sleeves either. For me, DragonShields are the best, very high quality. I haven't had any problems with them, never split one yet.

[Smash]

Smash have you tried them recently? Perhaps you got a bad batch when you purchased them whenever that was. But I got a box of 10 packs of 100, and they are all the same. I don't see any noticeable difference between different sleeves, from the same box or not. And I have not had any problem with actually fitting the cards into the sleeves either. For me, DragonShields are the best, very high quality. I haven't had any problems with them, never split one yet.

Yes, I see new boxes opened all the time at tournies I run. If the tourney wasn't rel 0, I would penalize the people who use them.

Dragonshield is CRAP.

[Fëanor]

Okay, just to recap;

Dragon Shield I think has a very cool product. And by that I mean, apart from a bad batch here and there, the style and feel is pleasing and intended for more of a casual setting.

Ultra Pro is a name that's been around almost as long as me. They've made some bad stuff, and they've improved. Right now I have thre different Ultra Pro products and they all have lasted for a good time.
- The new sleek style Kowal mentioned is possibly the best. They're a little thicker and more durable and none have split on me.
- There's the vintage Black/Red/White sleeves that they've been carrying for so long. If you have them, you know they last quite a while, but by now mine have just been overplayed and they don't look clean and stylish, so I rarely use them for the look.
- The new version of the vintage black, is nice. I use it on my keeper and none have split. I'd rather use Yanoman-Gunmetal, but these are the next best things. I seems like they may run out of steam like the original, but only time will tell.
Trust this brand. If you can't get Yanoman, UP is the next best thing.

For Gunmetal, Dicemanx lead us to TnT, which is a very trusted company. I suggest if you have the means, to buy as much as you can before it's all gone (if that's what's happening).
http://www.trollandtoad.com/p96646.html

Peace

[DEA]

well...i don't exactly have problems acquiring Gunmetal sleeves..since their sold in all major card stores in Singapore...where I play..but personally..i prefer using the japanese sleeves..

then don't try the major stores..
i just scored 4 packs of the gunmetal sleeves from a neighbourhood card/comics shop

[Carlos]

Anyone knows the Hobby Japan brand ? It´s worth ?                                                                                                http://www.mtgmetropolis.com/metropolistienda/show_category.asp?category=3&ampliacion=Hobby%20Japan

[Mick#7]

I do know that the sleeves at the bottom of the webbie (the tournament sleeves..in black..) are the ones most people here play with and thats the japanese sleeves I was talking about..i haven't had any splits so far playing with it..

[Sirena]

I play with Dragon Shield and I noticed that the green colored ones are longer that the other colors. My friend and I compared them, and oddly enough all of the green ones are like this. We bought a case (50 boxes of 100) and compared them all.

Yes, I am aware it is just a little bit obsessive........

Gunmetal sleeves are amazing. I have a few packs laying around for high REL events.

And I haven't used ultra pro since any alternative became available.

[savekeeper]

Personally I've been using Ultra Pro for years and although the old one don't look shiny anymore, there still pretty good. The only problem is that after a long while the corners tend to bent and get meesed up.

As for Gun Metal, is it only avaible in black? I've been using black sleeves only up until now and would like something new for a change.  

[Machinus]

I'm pretty sure they are available in black, gold, silver, copper, green, blue, and purple (if trollandtoad has them in stock).

[Charlie]

Ultra Pro Black seemed the best locally... I've tried some jap brand, which lasted for about half a year. It's a little bit expensive though

Though for your expensive T1 decks toploader is your only way to go... No matter how careful you shuffle it your opponent could damage it  

[MarkPharaoh]

I guess I am the only one who has had a bad experience with Gunmetal.  I used them once for Regionals last year and round1 it cost me the match because the one side was a little bent, thus sleeves stuck so I drew 1 too many cards...by the end of the tourney the sleeves were practically unplayable because they stuck together horribly and I threw them out that night when I desleeved...

[Smash]

Ultra Pro Black seemed the best locally... I've tried some jap brand, which lasted for about half a year. It's a little bit expensive though

Though for your expensive T1 decks toploader is your only way to go... No matter how careful you shuffle it your opponent could damage it  

Screw being a pansy. Power is to play with. I play EX+ alpha power in jap oranges, and have no problem. If they get bent they get bent

[Soupboy]

I've been using DragonShield exclusively for several years.  They are a bit dirty, but then I've played with them everywhere and I use the same ones for whatever my deck of the moment is.  I don't remember ever having one break, and they're great to shuffle with.  They're all the same size, too  But one of my favorite aspects of DS is the box they come in-- perfect size for a full deck + sideboard.

The Soup

[Fëanor]

Just for reference, I bought nine (9) packs of YM Gunmetal off Troll and Toad's website. They were delivered on time and in perfect condition. I have only opened up two packs as I plan on seeing if anyone in my area needs any before I use them all up. The ones I opened are flawless in size, feel, shape, strength, and endurance under heavy shuffling (as I tend to beat my cards when I shuffle). The tab came out to exactly $49.99. Fifty bucks ain't bad for sleeves that'll last as long as UP and that wont split. Any questions, Pm me.

On a side note, since I've gotten these new sleeves, I wont be using any others except for the Ultra Pro sleek, sexy ones on my artist deck:wink:.
That's still only my opinion.

Peace

[Addolorisi]

then don't try the major stores..
i just scored 4 packs of the gunmetal sleeves from a neighbourhood card/comics shop

Actually, he's saying that the Gunmetal sleeves are in all the major stores where he lives.

Side question; What do you guys use for card boxes, if you even use one. Also, does anyone know a good place to get a play mat from? I've looked around but i'm not finding anything.

I assume you mean for decks? I personally use Rook Capsules, either the white, black, or new ones with sleeves, as those are taller than their other colors. I just purchased all 4 Rebecca Guay boxes from their second artist series, and they're tall enough for DS, just a shade shorter than the ones that come with sleeves.

I've never really thought about a playmat, though I probably should given the place I play here on-campus. So I can't help you with that. And sorry if I'm totally off what you're asking about regarding boxes.



Here's my experience with sleeves.

Dragon Shield - So far, I've purchased Silver, Purple, White, Green, and Fusion colored Dragon Shields, and have only had one problem past a few dirt spots on the sleeves. The box of white DS were all but stuck together, and I had to peel them apart (the front of the sleeve from the back) before I could put any cards in it, but that's the only problem I've had. The sleeves themselves continued to stick together as long as there was a deck in them. I think the size is pretty ideal, and I quite like them for normal play.

Ultra-Pro - It doesn't seem to matter what the color is, the corners tend to have problems (both top and bottom) and the sleeves will split from time to time. I generally use them for casual decks since I have an abundance of Ultra-Pros from my beginning days of the game.

Rook - I purchased a green Rook Capsule and an extra pack of sleeves for the deck.  The extra sleeves were a darker color than the ones in the capsule, and from soft shuffling, many of the bottom corners started to peel apart. Hopefully I'm the exception, but that experience was craptastic enough for me that I won't buy anymore Rook sleeves.

Japanese - I purchased the light green at the Darksteel Prerelease, and though I haven't done much playing with them, I really like them. The only problem I have with them is that they don't fit very well in Rook Capsules (the tall ones even), and since that's what I use to keep the majority of my decks in, it's a bit of a problem. I still really like them though, even it they're a little tall for my tastes.

Toploaders - It's been a running joke for several years now that I'm eventually going to play a deck in toploaders. I seem to have trouble believing that a deck can be truly randomized when it's shuffled in several different piles, and they seem rather awkward overall. *shrugs*

I'm ordering the Gunmetal black to give them a look-see, and I've been looking for the textured Ultra-Pro for awhile now. I'm on TnT right now, and I'm having trouble figuring out which UP are the textured ones. From this thread, I've gathered that Raven Black and Tsunami Blue are, but what about the others?

[TracerBullet]

I've used nearly every variety known to man, and I have to swear by DragonShield Blues.  They don't dirty much at all, I've never had one split, and never had one that was poorly cut.  I've had issues with some of the other colors, particularly black, which whiten significantly and occasionally have the clear part sticking to the black part when purchased.

I swear by Dragonshield Blues.

[TracerBullet]

I've used nearly every variety known to man, and I have to swear by DragonShield Blues.  They don't dirty much at all, I've never had one split, and never had one that was poorly cut.  I've had issues with some of the other colors, particularly black, which whiten significantly and occasionally have the clear part sticking to the black part when purchased.

I swear by Dragonshield Blues.

[firebird365]

My personal evaluation:

Ultra-Pro: They started out very nice (the early, early ones in 100 count boxes), mostly because they were the only ones I could find. The quality has deteriorated, in my opinion, and the last time I bought some, the top of the sleeves were miscut severely. I sleeved my deck, and 3 of the 60 cases split when shuffling, so I resleeved and threw them out.

Rook: Similar experience to Ultra Pro, the only real bonus is the deck box. However, the deck box tends to bend my cards around the sides and since I'm really anal about that sort of thing, I tend not to use it for anything except tokens and dice.

Dragon Shield: I was going to get them before I came across Japanese sleeves, but never got around to it.

Japanese brands: I love these sleeves... the texture and especially the cut of the sleeves is perfect. The life span is decently long, about a year, and I would recommend these above everything else.

Toploaders: Working on a way to shuffle these normally, and to carry them around conveniently. No comment as of now.

As for deckboxes, I use the Ultra Pro deckboxes, because I got them somewhere for a really low cost and haven't replaced them.

[jazzykat]

Just wanted to say that I love gun metal sleeves. I stopped using ultra pro immediately (eventhough I have 250, brand new sleeves , I will just trade them or sell them real cheap at tourneys, I picked a "gross" (I think it is Jazzy!) orange color though so maybe I will just sleeve all my casual decks with cards <$20 in it.)

[defector]

The japanese are the best, I have been usingthe ultra pro simply because they were a gift and once they wear out or piss me off, i'm buying the japanese.
defector

[Ruboonia]

Definitely Gunmetal.  I've had them on my good decks for around two years now, and always buy more when needed.  They're great sleeves.

[savekeeper]

I'm pretty sure they are available in black, gold, silver, copper, green, blue, and purple (if trollandtoad has them in stock).

Oke, thx. But where can you get these diffrent colors? I checkted troll-and-toad and coolstuff, but they both only show the black versions. Is there any other website that does have the other colors, or am I just missing something?  

[virtual]

So I've noticed that dirt gets into the top of my sleeves pretty soon after I sleeve the cards + start playing with them.  If it gets down to the card itself, it gets pressed against it by the sleeve, and it's more likely to stick.  Is there any good way to prevent this?  Or are just longer sleeves better.  Also, I remember playing mats called spellgrounds, that used to be available and were decent.  Are there any more around?  I haven't seen them for a while.
-Virtual