Kem prices will be increased (again) (5 Viewers)

[Jimulacrum]

Desjgn are my favorite cards because of their artwork. Their card stock and texture is different with every release though. The best he had was the Modiano ..but they screwed him over.

Agreed on both the artwork and the variation in texture. I did not like the old, slicker texture. I love the Classic Flourish / Classic Victorian texture.

Casinos can afford to buy whatever cards they want. Almost all of them choose Kems….so there has to be a reason for that.

I'm sure there is a reason. I would not assume it's anything that would apply to consumers like myself.

 

[upNdown]

What about the newer Kem boxes where the cards stand upright rather than flat? I think with these you can only add more (cut) cards to keep everything tight.

Fair point. I have a handful of KEM setups and they’ve all come in the flat boxes. But yeah, those vertical boxes could be a problem.

 

[Old State]

What do you consider "heavily used" on average?

Once a week for 4-8 hours

 

[drdr]

I can back this up. I’ve used this method on several setups for at least a couple of years now and it has worked beautifully. It even worked to improve a setup that I received warped. And they’re stored in a ground level, not usually air conditioned room, subject to temperature and humidity fluctuations.
The people who dismiss this method as being too many hoops to jump through are nuts. Put them in their box face up, add a cut card (which should be there anyway) and a dealer button and then the cover. Simple.

I tried but the method didn't work, bowed anyway. I think more science needed.

For a setup need a control deck with no storage treatment, then the other deck with the recommended treatment. I'm curious if we find no difference between the decks.

Possible that temp/humidity is the more important factor (varies by location) over storage practices.

Is a hypothesis anyway. I know we have a lot of people who already 'know'. But haven't heard anyone doing a proper trial like this; same setup and at same time.

 

[parazyd]

I tried but the method didn't work, bowed anyway. I think more science needed.

For a setup need a control deck with no storage treatment, then the other deck with the recommended treatment. I'm curious if we find no difference between the decks.

Possible that temp/humidity is the more important factor (varies by location) over storage practices.

Is a hypothesis anyway. I know we have a lot of people who already 'know'. But haven't heard anyone doing a proper trial like this; same setup and at same time.

Humidity is definitely important. Some trading card games cards have foiling on them, and this causes them to become pringles when they're in a place with different humidity than they were produced in. It's likely the same can apply to acetate.

 

[Old State]

I tried but the method didn't work, bowed anyway. I think more science needed.

For a setup need a control deck with no storage treatment, then the other deck with the recommended treatment. I'm curious if we find no difference between the decks.

Possible that temp/humidity is the more important factor (varies by location) over storage practices.

Is a hypothesis anyway. I know we have a lot of people who already 'know'. But haven't heard anyone doing a proper trial like this; same setup and at same time.

I have a hard time believe you did this exact procedure and still had bowed cards. Are you leaving out part of the story ….like storing them in high temps, going from humid to non humid? Etc? I think I have 6 setups of Kems…12 individual decks…all stored this was without any bowing. Decks range in age between 2003 and 2019.

Around 20 years ago I left a setup out in a table in my old basement which was semi finished. They bowed.

 

[drdr]

I have a hard time believe you did this exact procedure and still had bowed cards. Are you leaving out part of the story ….like storing them in high temps, going from humid to non humid? Etc? I think I have 6 setups of Kems…12 individual decks…all stored this was without any bowing. Decks range in age between 2003 and 2019.

Around 20 years ago I left a setup out in a table in my old basement which was semi finished. They bowed.

Climate where I live is quite variable. The wife fiercely avoids use of aircon too. So yes, house varies in humidity and temp. I didn't know about the clever storage tips until 18 months ago when I joined PCF. Was really hopeful I could once again enjoy kems without bowing. Opened a new setup but they began bowing during the game. Stored as recommended but continued to bow during storage. Sucks. I do have two more unopened setups. Perhaps I should conduct my suggested trial. But with the price of kems now I'm tempted to sell the kems and use the funds to buy 10 setups that do not bow.

 

[Hot Nuts]

Shit I read this as Ken prices will be increased.

 

[PlaidDragon]

Shit I read this as Ken prices will be increased.

Who is this "Ken" and why is he increasing his prices???

 

[Phyffe]

Climate where I live is quite variable. The wife fiercely avoids use of aircon too. So yes, house varies in humidity and temp. I didn't know about the clever storage tips until 18 months ago when I joined PCF. Was really hopeful I could once again enjoy kems without bowing. Opened a new setup but they began bowing during the game. Stored as recommended but continued to bow during storage. Sucks. I do have two more unopened setups. Perhaps I should conduct my suggested trial. But with the price of kems now I'm tempted to sell the kems and use the funds to buy 10 setups that do not bow.

May I suggest the liberal use of dessicant gel? As in inside the boxes. I do that and I imagine my environment is at the very least as bad as yours =)

 

[drdr]

May I suggest the liberal use of dessicant gel? As in inside the boxes. I do that and I imagine my environment is at the very least as bad as yours =)

Could work. But... Arrrrrrg I'd have to add another step to the rituals. I do miss the Kem feel though.

 

[davefr]

Could work. But... Arrrrrrg I'd have to add another step to the rituals. I do miss the Kem feel though.

If you like the KEM feel but don't like KEM warping or pricing, than try Angel Acetate Poker from amazon.jp. No known issues with warping, fading, smell and they're a lot cheaper than KEM's insane pricing.

 

[slowplay]

For reference, Kem Arrow poker-size cards are currently $56.00. Kardwell International's expecting a price increase of 25% on May 1, making the price $70.00.

This might finally push me over the edge and buy a KEM setup provided I can find one at old price

 

[drdr]

If you like the KEM feel but don't like KEM warping or pricing, than try Angel Acetate Poker from amazon.jp. No known issues with warping, fading, smell and they're a lot cheaper than KEM's insane pricing.

Looked at that before, just did again on your prompt. Looks like they won't ship to Australia. Had to change my location to US for the search to even find them. Probably some way around this I can look in to.

 

[Old State]

I bought all of my Kems when I would see them for sale in Amazon. Last setup I bought was $13.95. Never paid more than $20-23 if memory serves me. Have seen them for sale on Amazon since before covid

 

[doublebooyah85]

Broke out the Kems last night everyone’s favorites…

 

[surfik]

I call shenanigans. You were offering more for Grimaud jumbo index!

Busted

 

[Old State]

If you like the KEM feel but don't like KEM warping or pricing, than try Angel Acetate Poker from amazon.jp. No known issues with warping, fading, smell and they're a lot cheaper than KEM's insane pricing.

The Japanese site take my login from Amazon?

 

[davefr]

The Japanese site take my login from Amazon?

No, you set up a brand new account for amazon.jp. You can choose to change language to english and the currency to dollars.

 

[Thomacetti]

I call shenanigans. You were offering more for Grimaud jumbo index!

And we delivered too

 

[Old State]

No, you set up a brand new account for amazon.jp. You can choose to change language to english and the currency to dollars.

Ok…just ordered two setups. I’ll report back

 

[Old State]

In recent years a new type of inner tube for bikes has come on the market made from Thermo Plastic Polyurethane (TPU). It’s like a rubber and plastic mix as far as its attributes. I always felt that KEM cards plastic/paper/rubber type feel which actually feels amazing to shuffle. I wonder if this material could be used for playing cards?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermoplastic_polyurethane