Do you think a shuffle stack will provide a good representation of what chips in use will turn into?
Only if it's been shuffled sufficiently to emulate the actual use seen in a typical home game. Used casino chips are generally worn way beyond the level of wear that will ever occur casually.
Does anyone use these CPC sets for cash games or tournaments?
Dozens of people, if not hundreds. Some sets see regular use, others see very heavy use (still far less than years of constant use in a casino environment).
Does the mold make much of a difference? Aren't the chips made from the same material? I only have samples of the H mold, but CSQ, Scroll, and A mold samples are just ordered today.
It makes a world of difference. Even though made using the same raw materials, the individual mold characteristics affect not only the looks of the chips, but also the weight, sound, feel, wear rate and type, and handling characteristics. There are differences in design elements (mold cavities), concentric rings, mold textures (yes, plural), even inlay size and/or shape -- all of which can affect surface tension and how the chips interact with each other in stacks and pots, and in your hands. Also why just one or two chips of each mold won't provide a true representation of how a set will feel or sound.
breaking them in using sandpaper on the edges.
Maybe a rock tumbler would work.
Great, and here I thought we had put the 'premature aging/torture of perfectly fine chips' issue to bed with
@MD Mike and his ill-advised proposals.
From what I've seen, CPCs are much more durable than Paulsons. With typical home game use it would probably takes decades to get fully "broken in".
I wouldn't categorize ASM/
CPC chips as being more durable than Paulson chips, although they are definitely harder (especially when compared to older Paulsons that contained lead). But with that hardness comes longer break-in times, as well as a chip that is more prone to breakage or chipping.. Hardness doesn't necessarily equate to durability.
I've played with
CPC sets that have seen monthly use for a year or two (so fewer than 150 hours of play -- 25 uses x 6 hours) that were broken in very nicely. Most new Paulson sets only take about 25-30 hours of play time to hit the sweet spot in terms of minimal wear and softened edges.
