Wrinkly KEMs (1 Viewer)

[ChipOnMyShoulder]

Hey Folks,

I was excited to finally see what all the hubbub was about with these cards, thought I struck gold after getting my hands on a pre-2004 sealed casino setup but my experience ended up pretty disappointing, with a stiff shuffle out of the box, edges with bits on 'em, and a wrinkly leather, skin-like finish on the cards. Oh, and a healthy dose of glue fumes as well.

At first I thought I was scammed because it felt like a paper shuffle but eventually the cards loosened up a bit and they are definitely acetate.

I've seen other threads on crackling KEMs but those seem more extreme than my situation, can any of you KEM experts out there tell me if this is the intended finish or if I should send them back? I was expecting a smooth plastic but maybe I've just been spoiled rotten by the Angels.

 

[upNdown]

Those don’t look quite right to me.
This is a pre-2004 KEM

 

[RocAFella1]

 

[ChipOnMyShoulder]

Those don’t look quite right to me.
This is a pre-2004 KEM
View attachment 1492261

 

[RocAFella1]

They look right to me. The backs as well.

 

[upNdown]

View attachment 1492262

Oh I’m not questioning that yours are KEMs. But we’ve seen KEMs that appear crackled before and we’ve all assumed they were damaged by hot temperatures or something, or that they were just defective.
Yours don’t look quite like the crackled ones I’ve seen before, but clearly if you look at the pebbly finish on mine, yours look different.

 

[ChipOnMyShoulder]

Yours don’t look quite like the crackled ones I’ve seen before, but clearly if you look at the pebbly finish on mine, yours look different.

That's exactly what I'm interested in, wondering what's going on here.

 

[mike32]

That's exactly what I'm interested in, wondering what's going on here.

In any event they will probably also be warped in a month and the finish won’t matter. They are cool cards except for all the maintenance issues. I know there are long term success stories out there, but none for me!

 

[RocAFella1]

In any event they will probably also be warped in a month and the finish won’t matter. They are cool cards except for all the maintenance issues. I know there are long term success stories out there, but none for me!

They only seem to thrive in low humidity, temperate climates. That's not to say I haven't had my fair share of bowing, but if kept in the right place/way I've had moderate success with them, knock on wood.

 

[upNdown]

That's exactly what I'm interested in, wondering what's going on here.

This thread discussed the cracked finish phenomenon.
https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/kem-durability.119348/post-2615978
I’m not sure if that’s your problem, but it’s worth a look.

 

[TheBigTater]

Sad to see the QC of these.

The continued brand loyalty for this brand just baffles my brain. The extra work involved just to keep them straight and playable, the specialized storage proceedures, the freakin' price. More power to those who still want to purchase these cards (bless you hearts)

 

[ekricket]

Sad to see the QC of these.

The continued brand loyalty for this brand just baffles my brain. The extra work involved just to keep them straight and playable, the specialized storage proceedures, the freakin' price. More power to those who still want to purchase these cards (bless you hearts)

Haha can you say Paulson?

 

[ChipOnMyShoulder]

In any event they will probably also be warped in a month

A month? They didn't last an hour outside of the celluloid before getting all wonky. They're kind of growing on me though, despite falling far short of expectations. I can see these appealing to people who prefer the feel of paper, they're a tad scratchy for me however.

(Angels on the left for comparison)

Sad to see the QC of these.

The continued brand loyalty for this brand just baffles my brain.

Tell me about it, I only got them because of the hype. I read a review here that KEMs and (cheaper) Angels were comparable in feel and I couldn't resist my curiosity, had to see it for myself. I even went out of my way to get the coveted Holy Grail of cards, a sealed pre-2004 setup. "Comparable" is a poor description. Maybe when you throw Copags into the mix, sure. By themselves they are worlds apart. Keep in mind I may have a bum deck.

I don't mean to rain on anyone's KEM parade, the fact that I'm having trouble letting go of them is a testament to their power.