I waited 4 years for this deck and am in the same position of questioning whether to use it or shelve it. It turns out they were hand cut by the creator himself according to a russian reviewer on instagram (thanks to google translate).I have rounded the corners of my deck already. I also bought this deck to use it because my intuition is jet started by the imagery. It's not just gorgeous but very intelligent. But I'm a riffle shuffler and need more robust cards. Even if Mr Black is a graphic artists he knows tarot because his artwork is so on point. I am also sure he knows quality.
The cards seem to be hand cut with a guillotine It would be almost impossible to get every card the same dimensions doing it that way, compared to automated die cutting which would get them spot on every time I decided to laminate my deck, trim all the cards down, then round all of the corners With any luck I have added a few years to the longevity of my deck by doing this and it has strengthened each card
Yeah, I totally agree! I was so excited to finally be able to get the deck that I overlooked the fact that I probably won’t be able to USE the deck without doing serious damage. I don’t care about the packaging or getting a book but I do care about being able to use the cards without ruining them.
Same. The packaging and book bother me way less than the card quality and poor cutting. I just wanted to point out that it’s possible to produce beautiful decks for way less money with fancy boxes AND books AND really nice card stock! I feel like the ball was missed on this one.
I concur with your observations. I also had a timer set to get my order in for this and I am.a but disappointed at how soft the cards are but I think I will use it. And if it gets damaged, it gets damaged. And I'll hope it gets picked up by a publisher.
I was following the artist on Instagram and when he announced that he had the deck printed and ready for sale, I asked him about the cardstock, which he told me that the artwork was printed on C2S 12pt FSC certified cardstock. I checked online and realized that the card maybe quite thin (~300 gsm). Given the price of the deck, I was very hesitant, knowing that I would not enjoy working with tarot decks that are very thin. Eventually, I decided not to buy the deck. I am sorry to hear your experience. I would be very, very disappointed, especially with the amount of money spent and the time to quickly buy the deck. Thank you for sharing your experience on this.
I really really appreciate this update. I was looking at this deck. It’s been years in the making. And it’s gorgeous. But I will pass. I think it’s hard to get or its almost sold out anyway. Thanks again. 🖤❤️💙
I was so excited when it first arrived and that’s cooled some and it’s such a shame. I wanted to love this deck so much. I love the art, but as a deck, it needs work 🥲
I got the deck, and I really like the sparse packaging. I like that all the mailing material was recyclable. But the deck should be 50 percent bigger in my opinion. With the border, the images are tiny, and it’s really difficult to make out the details, which is a real shame given the excellent artwork. Also agree they need heavier card stock and rounded corners. Personally I think the books that come with decks are superfluous. Thanks for your video.
I don’t really mind the minimal packaging and lack of book, but for the price point those things are usually included. Lessons learned for me on this one. I need to ask more questions next time around.
Shame, I went ahead and ordered it and, yes, it is pricey, but like you I liked the art. Disappointing that your second look is less impressive, but thanks for posting this to warn those who didn't jump as fast as I did! Wonder if they could be laminated and trimmed somehow??
I would think so, if it was trimmed carefully. I saw some people on insta rounded the corners and I may go ahead and do that. I waited so long for this, followed the artist for updates, set timers to get my email in on time and I’m just saddened by the outcome.
This deck was made as an art piece and I dont think the creator really thought it would ever be used as a working deck as he really is not a "tarot artist" but rather a graphic artist. The art is gorgeous. The quality is not great for sure though, sadly.
I’m not a huge fan of backing decks just because it adds a lot of thickness. I’m in a FB group of tarot deck modders and a lot of people use contact paper for backing decks and many people really love the result! It definitely seems to improve durability. I’ve treated my deck very carefully and aside from some scuffing due to a lack of coating, it’s not doing too bad.
I haven't even got mine yet. The creator was supposed to tell me when he mailed it. Crickets. Don't have any idea if it's been shipped, where it is. So sad to hear your disappointments. Oh well. I guess it's a deck we have to use with care.
This is oh so disappointing, yet honest A lot of people waited a long time to buy this deck, myself included Mine arrived several weeks ago and I have not opened the package yet for one reason or another I saw photos of others using their decks and I noticed the square corners It was quite a turn off I have to agree with you, for the money spent, this deck should have been presented far better, with no expense spared on printing I am also with you regarding the deck being republished and every customer of this batch being given heavily discounted opportunities to have their decks upgraded I wonder how mr black is handling the constructive feedback about his tarot deck I would have prefered to give him the money in advance, join a waiting list and receive a glossy super high quality deck in a charming case I'm going to open my package this evening so I can experience the disappointment first hand
