The term: Traditionally cut references the process used to cut the cards. In fact, two methods can
be used:
in the first one, the classically cut, used nowadays for USPCC's cards, the blade
enters the back of the cards first and cut the card to the face.
in the second one, the
Traditionally cut, the blade enters the face of the card and cut to the back.
The last one is
so called Traditionally because this process was used until the last 15 years. But I have no
information concerning the real reasons for this change.
By the way, what is the influence
of this change of cutting process on card techniques ? In fact, as the blade enters the card, a soft
round edge is formed due to localized plastic deformations resulting from the pressure of the blade
before the cutting process occurs. On the opposite side of the card, as the blade leaves the card, a
burr is formed due to plastic deformation of the paper on the opposite direction. Therefore,
depending on the cutting process used, the burr is located on the face of the card (classically cut)
or the backside of the card (traditionally cut). On the first hand, if the cards are used just for a
friendly poker game, no difference can be seen. On the other hand, for a card mechanics, the burr
have a great influence on the techniques used, and especially on Table Faros. When a table faro is
performed, the deck is split in two blocks riffled together starting from the face of the deck up-to
to the backside. When classically cut cards are used, cards are first contacting opposite side along
the edge where the burr is located, preventing the cards to faro easily. Therefore, the burr must be
soften and reduced in order to facilitate the faro. An alternative method is to place the deck
face-up and perform the faro, but this is a quite strange method. This can be performed just for
fun. For example, a one handed faro with classically cut cards is best performed while the cards are
facing up. A in the air two hands faro is also more easily done when started at the back of the
deck.
With Traditionally cut cards, those references are inverted. Table faro can be
performed right out of the box, without the need of preparing the deck and reducing the burr of the
cards because cards are first contacting along the round soft edge while cards are facing down the
table. One handed faro can be done with cards facing down also, while two hands faro are done
starting from the face of the deck (as we can see in old card techniques books). Behavior of the
deck during riffle shuffle depends also on the cutting process used because while cards are riffled
from the thumbs, the Gold Seal Bicycle cards are contacting the thumbs with the round soft edge.
Contact between fingerprints and cards is soften, leading to a more fluid riffle. But this merely
depends on the ability of the performer to use a light touch on the cards.
The second point
concerning the Richard Turner's Gold Seal Bicycle cards concerns the high quality of the cut.
Lateral sides of the cards are very soft. This also have an influence on faros and riffle shuffles.
Concerning the internal structure of the cards, the main point concerning the Richard
Turner's Gold Seal Bicycle cards is that they feel like Bee cards. And in fact, they feel like Bee
cards because they are Bees. The paper used comes from Bee stock. Concerning the thickness of the
cards, they are slightly thicker than classical Rider Back cards, about 5 to 10µm.
The
embossing pattern of the Gold Seal Bicycle cards is unique to those cards. The main objective of
this embossing is to create the air cushion separation between the cards to reduce friction. But
this embossing pattern is less deeper for Gold Seal cards to preserve the structural integrity of
the cards because this embossing pattern drastically decreases the stiffness of the cards when too
deeper. Concerning the card finish, I have no informations on this point.
Finally
concerning the design of the cards. This one is exactly similar as the Rider Back cards. The box is
sealed with a Gold Seal and a Traditionally cut for the professional Gold sticker is apposed on
the card Box. Each box contains 52 cards + 2 non guaranty Jokers + one blank face card and one
advertising card.
