I was curious how much of a difference "crushed stock" made, so I conducted a little science experiment.
I ordered some different decks of Bicycle cards from Penguin. They are promoting two different red/blue crushed stock decks as being the greatest bicycle cards ever. The descriptions are basically identical. They sound like the same decks except for the tear strip and seal. The "expert" comes with the tear strip and seal and costs $5.39. The "elite" comes with two gaff cards and costs $3.95 or 39.95 for a brick of 12.
I measured each deck in a bunch of different spots using standard cheap digital calipers. Each deck I measured was unhandled and was fresh out of the tuck for the first time when measured. The differences were actually pretty substantial. For each deck I used exactly 54 cards. I excluded any extra advertisement or gaff cards
Standard Walmart 808 deck with advertisement on the back of the tuck.
3.1 oz and 15.9-16.0 mm thick
Bicycle Guardians
3.1 oz and 15.8-15.9 mm thick
Bicycle 807 deck with picture of card on back of tuck instead of advertisement
3.1 oz and 15.7-15.8 mm thick
Bicycle "Elite" from Penguin
3.1 oz and 15.0 - 15.1 mm thick
Bicycle Expert from Penguin
3.1 oz and 14.6 - 14.7 mm thick
I also got Orange backed Bicycles and Silver Backed Bicycles from Penguin. The Orange deck has three gaff cards. Double backer, multicolor double backer, and blank facer. The Silver deck has two exotic gaff cards.
I also got some of the Bicycle Platinums, which I am not sure I like the artwork on the face of the cards that much. They do come with two gaff cards though. A double facer and a card with a picture of a rose.
All these decks from Penguin I got have the back of the deck printed on the back of the tuck, which is nice. Something that the Guardians do not have (which makes me sad).
As far as handle and feel, I would have to play with them for a long time. I will say that Bicycle Guardians have always felt thicker than regular Bike decks to me, but they always seemed to last substantially longer. I have also felt like I could fan a heavily worn Guardian deck far better than a heavily worn red/blue deck. Push off double-lifts always seemed easier with Guardians as well. So as far as handle and feel, Guardians have been my favorite. I'll have to practice moves with these two crushed stocks deck for a few night while watching tv and see what I think.
I ordered some different decks of Bicycle cards from Penguin. They are promoting two different red/blue crushed stock decks as being the greatest bicycle cards ever. The descriptions are basically identical. They sound like the same decks except for the tear strip and seal. The "expert" comes with the tear strip and seal and costs $5.39. The "elite" comes with two gaff cards and costs $3.95 or 39.95 for a brick of 12.
I measured each deck in a bunch of different spots using standard cheap digital calipers. Each deck I measured was unhandled and was fresh out of the tuck for the first time when measured. The differences were actually pretty substantial. For each deck I used exactly 54 cards. I excluded any extra advertisement or gaff cards
Standard Walmart 808 deck with advertisement on the back of the tuck.
3.1 oz and 15.9-16.0 mm thick
Bicycle Guardians
3.1 oz and 15.8-15.9 mm thick
Bicycle 807 deck with picture of card on back of tuck instead of advertisement
3.1 oz and 15.7-15.8 mm thick
Bicycle "Elite" from Penguin
3.1 oz and 15.0 - 15.1 mm thick
Bicycle Expert from Penguin
3.1 oz and 14.6 - 14.7 mm thick
I also got Orange backed Bicycles and Silver Backed Bicycles from Penguin. The Orange deck has three gaff cards. Double backer, multicolor double backer, and blank facer. The Silver deck has two exotic gaff cards.
I also got some of the Bicycle Platinums, which I am not sure I like the artwork on the face of the cards that much. They do come with two gaff cards though. A double facer and a card with a picture of a rose.
All these decks from Penguin I got have the back of the deck printed on the back of the tuck, which is nice. Something that the Guardians do not have (which makes me sad).
As far as handle and feel, I would have to play with them for a long time. I will say that Bicycle Guardians have always felt thicker than regular Bike decks to me, but they always seemed to last substantially longer. I have also felt like I could fan a heavily worn Guardian deck far better than a heavily worn red/blue deck. Push off double-lifts always seemed easier with Guardians as well. So as far as handle and feel, Guardians have been my favorite. I'll have to practice moves with these two crushed stocks deck for a few night while watching tv and see what I think.