OPC cut with wires
 

There's a [URL="https://www.reddit.com/r/hockeycards/comments/1lpwe4j/comment/n1zct03/?context=3"]discussion on reddit[/URL] where someone claims OPC used same cutting techniques as topps ('blades'). My understanding and the seeming common knowledge in the hobby is that OPC used wires for cutting the cards. Anything definitive out there either way?

The redditor posted a bunch of nebulous links to long youtube shows and a book, with no specific time markers or pages cited. I'm assuming they're just trolling, but not being an expert I'm certainly not qualified to know with certainty either way.

Books have been written by VERY knowledgeable people in the hobby who interviewed former OPC employees from London, Ontario, who document the wires used in the cutting process while creating the cards.

I'd listen to them before I ever listen to someone on Reddit.

[QUOTE=Triple B;19955536]
I'd listen to them before I ever listen to someone on Reddit.[/QUOTE]

The main flag for me was the lack of information available to the contrary, so yeah I think they were just a troll.

[QUOTE=Triple B;19955536]Books have been written by VERY knowledgeable people in the hobby who interviewed former OPC employees from London, Ontario, who document the wires used in the cutting process while creating the cards.

I'd listen to them before I ever listen to someone on Reddit.[/QUOTE]

There is quasi-truth to this on the early-middle years.

I grew up very near the city that was home to O-Pee-Chee and can confirm that the ragged cut was indeed the result of wires used to cut the cards from the sheets.

I have a three-uncut sheet "set" of 1977-78 OPC that I paid a grade school classmate $1.50 for at the time - I think his uncle or cousin worked there.

From what I recall, the confusion comes from definition. The “wiring cutting system” was technically called “something, something blades”, which were basically wires to us non-rocket scientist.

Think of it as the same as when you say “pass me the scissors” vs “pass me the blades” even though it’s clear as day that you’re technically cutting with a pair of blades.

Similar examples:

Rope saw.
Chain saw.
String saw.
Wire saw.

A saw. Even though a “rope, chain, string or wire” is what is technically cutting the cards which results in the “chain saw” rough cut.

A real jumbo shrimp situation, if ya get my drift. Sure it’s jumbo. But still a shrimp, right?

Has the 79 opc blue skate lines on the back of the Gretzky even been confirmed as the FOTLs? That’s what I really wanna know. Any conclusive evidence emerged there in the past 10 years or so?

Personally I don’t buy into the blue lines = first print theory. To me it’s just as likely if not more likely that the cards started out without the lines and a roller got scratched part way through which they never bothered to shut down and fix.

[QUOTE=Inferno;19955725]Personally I don’t buy into the blue lines = first print theory. To me it’s just as likely if not more likely that the cards started out without the lines and a roller got scratched part way through which they never bothered to shut down and fix.[/QUOTE]

I always skated in this direction too. I’m all for a good conspiracy theory, but there’s gotta be some smoke from the barrel or something quasi credible. I remember the topic coming up every once in a while, but it was typically just the guys holding those copies trying to drive it home. I own a couple of copies that have them but it’s primarily because they have the rough cut, are centered AND the red oil drip in the logo has to be centered as well. Those are tough, regardless of the grade or production myths.