Professor, please make an updated video! I have lots of questions: 1. Is storing cards long term in a binder or portfolio does not have a zipper closure a bad practice? 2. What are the best portfolios with zipper closures on the market today? 3. Have you used TopDeck? If so what do you think of them?
+my3stooges Haha i thought the same. Those are also currently my favourites. But i was surprised when talking about Ultimate Guard he didn't also review the Ultimate Guard QuadRow Zip Folios. They don't have that Bulge, are very sturdy and almost en par with the Dragon Shield Quadrow.
On Dex Protection; that's a massive grade hit for what I would consider a minor issue. The issue only presents when viewing the first/last few pages. As you pointed out, it doesn't really bend the cards; it's just the collection of air-gaps that mean the pages bend between the cards. I could see dropping from an A to a B or C depending on subjective measures....but a D seems harsh.
I was wondering that as well. Major issues to me would imply the risk of breaking cards. Did I not understand a part of the video or did he really just downgrade the binder over a minor aesthetic display issue?
Agree. Every book does this, not just card binders. Try lying any book flat and this happens. As an English major and English professor, does he down grade books because of this issue?
I've gotta say, aesthetically I like the dragon binder, but personally I think the zipper will have more durability than any of the others, so I definitely consider the dex binder a B+ At least I wouldn't buy a binder with an elastic band by choice 😅
My favorite part of these videos is that I know Prof is actually giving me the facts and not just saying what a company is telling him to say. I know that when he says something is high quality, he really means that, and it is hard to fully convey how much I appreciate that. Thanks so much Professor!
Prof, I noticed when I scrubbed through the video that on the Dex Protection binders that that pages are connected to the spine, so when you open the portfolio the pages are pulled to the other end of the cover. That’s why when you get to the middle the crease disappears because that is where it is stitched. The dragon shield portfolios fix that big issue by stitching the pages to the back of the binder. That may lead to the stitching failing over time, wanting to come off the binder, but this is an estimation.
Hey Prof, just curious have you thought about breaking down each aspect of the product into a grade then giving an overall grade. I think this would help with understanding the overall grades: price, durability/quality of materials, effectiveness/does the thing do what is promised, ect. I'm sure this would help clarify why some products get certain grades. P.S love your content always have and will be a fan.
Would be so useful if the Dragon codex could integrate a zipper version on their design to further ensure the safety of the cards. Considering their current price is the same as those using lesser materials, I'd imagine a premium zipper version would be quite coveted since it wouldn't stretch far past the current price for a product that is the best of all worlds
I have the bend issue too in my Dex Protection binders in SOME cases. It's totally dependent on the individual unit which is upsetting for me too. I ONLY use these for archival storage, and NOT for regular use to take to my weekly FNM for example. They look great for storing and showing off permanent collections. =)
Hey Prof, this was a GREAT review video. You've clearly been working on the production side of the video process and the improvements are VERY noticeable. I give this video my A rating
Hi Prof, just wondering, is that bulge issue with Dex only with the 12 pocket binder or with all three binders? Btw 5:02 love those revised lands prof 👍
Your videos always make me want to buy everything you give an A. I almost solely play on Arena now and I still want all this stuff. Thanks for helping keep my love of mtg alive!
I just wanted to say thank you for this, iv been thinking about getting a new binder for my collection, I have a regular 1inch binder completely over stuff from the past 10+ years of adding to it.
Thanks for the review proff. Ended up buying the dragonshield 12 pocket binder. It's so awesome. Always been a fan of their procuts and this one didn't disapoint either.
He already did nearly a year ago: th-cam.com/video/rl5oAm7SPC0/w-d-xo.html Because of this review I bought the Codex with the Dashat Artwork (576 pockets) two weeks ago.
Thank you for the great video. Been playing since 2014 just getting back into it since about 2018. I was very interested in the new d&d set and thought it would be fun to make a binder based on that set so thank you for the help in choosing what to buy
Impressive video. Your work is very much appreciated, as it helps the community greatly. I will take your opinion into account soon enough, since I will reorganise my cards after summer holidays. Thank you Professor!
Xavier he likes dragon shield better. I guess, to me a portafolio with no zippers is a no go. I do not live on ac so dust and humidity, and sunlight are an issue. Still prefer the BCW to those presented here even whensome of their colors are really expensive.
I would assume the biggest concern is that when you go zip it up that the pages may not fit correctly if they are misaligned like that sitting out flat.
@@radiantburrito It's a dumb concern though, this "problem" only appears when it is completely open. As you close the binder the pages lay flat as they should. It is merely aesthetic.
I love these kind of videos. Whenever i buy some new mtg accesoirs i first watch your videos about what to buy since I know you have high standards and only say that something is good or bad if it really is.
Your review videos are my far my favorite, and the reason I first became interested in your channel. Wahoo! The Ultimate Guard Lands Series seems to be the most disappointing line from Ultimate Guard (at least the sleeves and binders). What a shame given that the art is really nice. Also, Prof, I do not believe you have reviewed the Dragon Shield Zipster (Zippered Codex), which seems to have received little attention and are quite difficult to find. I bought mine from Walmart online of all places for around $20-25, and that was the only place I could find them at the time. It looks like TCGPlayer has one for $55 (shipping included; SKU: AT-38002). These are different from the Codexes reviewed in this video and your last binder video as it has a zipper and is a binder rather than a portfolio (you use your own binder sheets). I love it is the only zippered binder I've found with a good exterior that fits in the back slot of my Pirate Lab backpack.
I own a couple of flexfolios, and I am also not happy with my purchase. The thin and flexible exterior seemed appealing at first from a bag real estate perspective, but the bending is terrifying, as the Professor says, and I will be replacing them before long. It's a shame, because Ultimate Guard have otherwise always impressed me.
U bought a flex folio knowing it flexed so this gripe doesnt go a long way. Seems like a consumer mistake to me. I am not defending their product and would never buy one of those putting individual cards worth more than the whole binder in it. But clearly a consumer purchase mistake.
Ethan, I don't think I said anything else? I literally said I'm unhappy with my purchase and will be replacing them. I couldn't more clearly be saying the purchase was a mistake??? Jacob, I'm honestly not sure, because out of fear of exactly that, I haven't actually been using the elastic after filling up the binders. It *looks* like it would bend the cards, and I'm not taking the risk of finding out.
Oh no offense meant, I love ultra guard too bc they have been solid over the years. What I was put off by was you saying it was a shame that they produced a bunk product bc it didnt fit ur personal needs. Buying a flex folio then regretting it bc the bending is terrifying is contradictory when shaming the company. What I meant is what in the world were u thinking buying a flex folio they are terrifying hehe!
@@psikker oh i tried to let u off the hook. Your insinuation was that it was bunk not mine. Whats a shame is slyly bashing the product on the basis that you are terrified of the bending when you bought a flex folio haha... Good one man rofl... Were u hoping they would read this and contact you offering to give u something for free? Lul. "Hey guys I bought a flex folio and im terrified of flexing, what a shame" hrmm dont even try, go read ur post, u literally misquoted urself and u did say something else actually. At this point u have no idea what ur talking about.
Ah Prof, you have really saved me a lot of grief. I ordered the Dex 12 Zip Binder (before watching your videos) from Amazon who sent me the regular Dex 12 TWICE after I asked for a return. But after watching your video it is clear to me that this was a blessing in disguise and I can rest easy knowing I don't have to painstakingly milk the udders of Bad Daddy Besos' capitalist chumfactory for a folder that I'm happy with. In fact, I'm going to put that money towards your channel instead :)
Great video, this is the content I subscribed for. The only thing missing is a list at the end with all the grades of portfolios you've reviewed up until now as I like to see how everything stacks up. I got myself an Ultimate Guard Quadrow Portfolio recently (a Xenoskin hardcover one, not the flexfolio or the zipfolio) and I love it, I only wonder now if it will bulge when it's full as I don't think you covered that aspect when you reviewed it unless I'm mistaken. That aside it's basically perfect for me. The Dragon Shield Codex looks great, but the middle gap between the pages is a bit big for my liking (they've obviously designed it that way to avoid the bulge issue) I like how small the gap is between my Ultimate Guard pages as I can display cards in rows of 8 across 2 pages and it looks really cool. Like I said though, I wonder if it will start to bulge as it fills up, I guess only time will tell...
Thank you very much for the product's review. About Dragon Shield portfolio, I like it more Ultrapro binder or BCW LX because I can use it with oversize sleeve. Greetings
Don't mind me, just here to like and leave a comment, i will watch this when i'm in the market for one and I already know i'm going to very much appreciate this video being around in order to get the deal for me.
A portfolio is supposed to protect cards in transit or storage. The Dex offered a zipper, a solid front and back, and (granted I haven't tested this myself with the zip binder but based on the Dex binders i have) holds the cards in place even when i've spun the binder in the air. Also right when the binder was opened, it was pretty apparent the cards were flat when the portfolio is closed. I really think it deserves at least a B+/A- for doing what a portfolio should do. The bulge is a problem, when the binder is open, sure, but I don't see people leaving binders randomly open for long periods of time. ESPECIALLY if there are rare or expensive cards in there. And if people are that crazy about the bulge, there are still two columns that aren't even affected by it. Trade binders I've seen have more of a variety rather than just playsets of cards (granted I don't play magic, so magic players correct me if i'm wrong here). If the cards are being put into storage, it's likely the binder is closed and flat. I came here for advice because your last video about binders led me to the Dex binders and I've been happy with them ever since, but when you give a D-rating to an excellent product with one flaw, but a C-rating to something that inherently does not do what a binder should do (Did people see that bend?? That binder was as flimsy as a noodle), I'm a little skeptical. You have great quality videos, but I gotta disagree on this one
Yeah, I've had the dragonshield 9 pocket for a little under a year now, and its performance has been absolutely stellar, one of the best MTG related purchases I've made, though, that's just how it seems to be with dragonshield. Thanks for the top quality content again Prof! And thanks once again for taking the time to sort the chaff from the cherished! Edit: Follow up question, do you know how these products fair against water and other kinds of potential card destroyers? It would be really nice to know how much actual protection they offer, if any. Thanks!
Any problems at all with filling up all the way and turning pages bending corners? Anyting you can tell me I have a lot of rare cards and I want to start putting them in binders to help me with storage and top loaders. But I'm afraid I'm going to f*** them up
I recently bought the ultimate guard flip and tray and I was shocked to find parts held together by weak, stringy glue. Although this has not affected the performance, I do not think that you mentioned this in your review although I may be mistaken. I would also like to note that the review of my dragon shield sleeves was very accurate.
Sounds like you got a bad deckbox, have you considered contacting Ultimate Guard? I have multiple Flip N’ Trays and other similar boxes from UG and I’ve never seen any sign of glue, or any other indication that the materials and adhesives are not quality.
One issue you may not have considered is that non zipper binders collect dust on top of the pages and the sun and humidity degrades the clear plastic. So for me at least the dex seem like the better choice. I look forward to see dragon shield get zippers on their binders.
thats what i was thinking. the flex binder before it had the risk of bending cards and that got a C. here theres a bump in the pages in between cards and it gets a D.
Great video as always. Could you maybe do a video talking about the best ring binders and ring binder pages? I think I need to replace mine pretty soon
Prof, has Card Kingdom announced any plans to stock the Dragon Shield Codex portfolios? I didn't see it listed on your storefront nor in the general Gear section on CK's site
I agree with you on the Dex zipper binders. I will never buy them. I don’t want a binder with pages that won’t lay flat when filled with cards. I don’t want to take the risk of damaging my cards. Also, I don’t want a binder with a flimsy cover that can bend if stepped or sat on. Thanks for the review, prof! I’m going to get a dragon codex binder right now!
I was looking for this before I bought the Dex protection zip. I'm actually happy with it. I suppose that's because I dont have it full, but I also dont have a large collection. I'm sure they'll fix the problem so when I do need another, and need it full, I can buy it confidently.
One may agree with you, or not, though your review work is not only really useful, it is a guide to magic players. Congrats Professor and continue the amazing work!
As always, very helpful and informative reviews. I was confused with the flexfolio and zip binder terms being thrown around because I recalled that the zipfolio was one of the better binders in a previous review. But I've now learned that it's just difficult to name binder products distinctively when you're also trying to get certain features across (like zippers) So if I've got this straight: Ultimate Guard Zipfolio (xenoskin)= good Ultimate Guard Flexfolio = too flexible Dex Protection Dex Binder = good Dex Protection Zip Binder = unseemly bulges Dragon Shield Codex = good
Sorry if you have already covered it and I missed it, but too bad you didn't try the first set of land binders. So far, my has kept a wonderful cover despite it being used for months now.
I disagree with your assessment of the dex protection zip binders. Although I understand that not only are you much more experienced than me, and are also a lot better than me at assessing magic products; I just think that such an error isn’t bad enough to put it at a D, not an A, in my book, but at least a B or C. P.S. I hope I used that semicolon right :) Edit- spelling errors
Hello ! I was just wondering if someone could help me... I can't decide between buying the Dragon Shield Codex or the Zipfolio Ultimate Guard... For protection what is the best ? Zipfolio with the zipper will always be better than a "Non-Zipper" binder am I right ? (Since the professor didn't compare them I don't really what would be the best choice...)
@@wesjaguar there's no force - as the binder is closed they lie flat. It's because the pages are individually attached the the spine. Like any hardback book. I take you're not much of a reader
it's a pretty dumb reason tbh. My Ultimate Guard QuadZip does that, and believe me there's nothing wrong function wise with that thing aside from maybe sheer size.
Hi Professor, I purchased a Dex binder from my local game store. It was new, sealed in package. When I got towards the end of the binder, I noticed a quality issue in which 2 of the pages were not stitched on the top & bottom. so you cannot even place cards on 4 sheets. I e-mailed them to let them know about the quality issue and, while they were interested in hearing about the issue and accepted a video I recorded of it, they were not interested in rectifying the situation, didn't apologize, & basically questioned me as if it was my fault or local game shop's fault. (The stitching is literally not there, it is clearly a manufacturing issue, they are not torn.) Just thought you might be interested in noting this quality issue. It's the Limited Edition Binder 9 - paid 29$ at my local game store and it costs 25$ on their website. Anyway, I'm watching your videos now to pick out a replacement.
Great video. Do the Ultra Pro Eclipse come in Clear backs also. If not, which I assume do not as the name implies that they don’t. What is there equivalent? I’d like to sleeve the cards in several of my board games. Scythe Dead of Winter Terraforming Mars Memoir 44’ To name a few
Honestly, I think its a supply and demand issue. Typically, new releases are scarce anyway, but when the Prof gives an A grade they really go fast. It was the same for the Dragon Shield Matte sleeves a while back. Just be patient and be on the lookout.
I'm new to your channel and have really enjoyed your content and find it very helpful. I was wondering if you'd do a Pokemon is it worth it to buy a Build and Battle box as well as a more general Buyers guide to Pokemon tcg products.
Excellent Reviews as always! Sadly the quad row portfolios up here are as near as makes no difference, 50$ a piece. Even if I could afford that, I'd still probably second guess myself. It is however amazing and I want one :) Cheers.
Great video. A bit late to comment, but one thing that has never been clear to me... talking about acid and pvc free, is this referring to the pages or the actual binder/cover as well? Does/should the actual binder, not only the pages, also be pvc and acid free?
I like how he casually flips through all the duals, then later he talks about the 4 pocket as "great for showing off" and it has like, a playset of grafdigger's cages.
Hello ! I can't decide between buying the Dragon Shield Codex or the Zipfolio Ultimate Guard... For protection what is the best ? Zipfolio with the zipper will always be better than a "Non-Zipper" binder am I right ?
An update on these binder comparisons would be great to see who has resolved the buldging center binding issues.
Professor, please make an updated video! I have lots of questions:
1. Is storing cards long term in a binder or portfolio does not have a zipper closure a bad practice?
2. What are the best portfolios with zipper closures on the market today?
3. Have you used TopDeck? If so what do you think of them?
Professor, at this point I think it's safe to say, that Dragon shield designs their products, with your reviews in mind
+my3stooges
Haha i thought the same. Those are also currently my favourites.
But i was surprised when talking about Ultimate Guard he didn't also review the Ultimate Guard QuadRow Zip Folios.
They don't have that Bulge, are very sturdy and almost en par with the Dragon Shield Quadrow.
How are they with sports cards the dragon Binder?
I never buy any sleeves or binders without a review from the professor 🙃
Same.
what about deck boxes hehe
Binder: * opens up to you *
Professor: * notices bulge * This is very displeasing to look at and it makes me feel uncomfortable, D for "do not buy"
uwu
LeeSalt uwu xd
OwO uwu
I feel like that bulge is the cause of the boxing edges of my cards because it only happens to cards in that 1st column with the bulge
I have those they never bother me
On Dex Protection; that's a massive grade hit for what I would consider a minor issue. The issue only presents when viewing the first/last few pages. As you pointed out, it doesn't really bend the cards; it's just the collection of air-gaps that mean the pages bend between the cards. I could see dropping from an A to a B or C depending on subjective measures....but a D seems harsh.
Meh. The dragonshield is better in almost every way.
Thats unessecary strain on your cards man..... It is a big deal.
I was wondering that as well. Major issues to me would imply the risk of breaking cards. Did I not understand a part of the video or did he really just downgrade the binder over a minor aesthetic display issue?
Agree. Every book does this, not just card binders. Try lying any book flat and this happens. As an English major and English professor, does he down grade books because of this issue?
8:23 *has similar bulge* professor: "perfectly flat!" Me: "what?!!"
@@WeekdayWeekend big difference between book pages and cards lol the card need to remain perfectly flat even over long periods...
I would love to see an updated version of this video! There are many binders out there I am curious about, like the Vault X binders, for example!
this ^ I hope the bending of the binder pages can be addressed. Since if you open it and don't flatten the spine out, it won't bend.
@user-sx4lw8zx5sdo u think is better also if don't have the zip?
I've gotta say, aesthetically I like the dragon binder, but personally I think the zipper will have more durability than any of the others, so I definitely consider the dex binder a B+ At least I wouldn't buy a binder with an elastic band by choice 😅
3 years later and I’m still considering this video as gold
* lightning bolt gets printed into standard *
Me: 5:27
Made my day.
Absolutely amazing.
What ?
Went back to check. Laughed so loud I got awkward stares.
@@joecooper8527 If you don't get it you are to pure for this world
Thanks Prof. I will be looking for a Dragon Shield version when I need a new portfolio.
Now THIS is the content I subscribed for!
My favorite part of these videos is that I know Prof is actually giving me the facts and not just saying what a company is telling him to say. I know that when he says something is high quality, he really means that, and it is hard to fully convey how much I appreciate that. Thanks so much Professor!
This video should be called professor flex
I saw those horizon lands and thought, oh he has less than I expected. Then he showed the next binder.
Prof, I noticed when I scrubbed through the video that on the Dex Protection binders that that pages are connected to the spine, so when you open the portfolio the pages are pulled to the other end of the cover. That’s why when you get to the middle the crease disappears because that is where it is stitched. The dragon shield portfolios fix that big issue by stitching the pages to the back of the binder. That may lead to the stitching failing over time, wanting to come off the binder, but this is an estimation.
Hey Prof, just curious have you thought about breaking down each aspect of the product into a grade then giving an overall grade. I think this would help with understanding the overall grades: price, durability/quality of materials, effectiveness/does the thing do what is promised, ect. I'm sure this would help clarify why some products get certain grades. P.S love your content always have and will be a fan.
I agree that would make sense.
This is a good idea maby :)
He did pretty much explain why the grades were as such tho.
Would be so useful if the Dragon codex could integrate a zipper version on their design to further ensure the safety of the cards. Considering their current price is the same as those using lesser materials, I'd imagine a premium zipper version would be quite coveted since it wouldn't stretch far past the current price for a product that is the best of all worlds
I do prefer the zipper than the string which overtime it stretches.
I have the bend issue too in my Dex Protection binders in SOME cases. It's totally dependent on the individual unit which is upsetting for me too. I ONLY use these for archival storage, and NOT for regular use to take to my weekly FNM for example. They look great for storing and showing off permanent collections. =)
i was excited to hear you say "many magic the gathering players ask the question"
Hey Prof, this was a GREAT review video. You've clearly been working on the production side of the video process and the improvements are VERY noticeable. I give this video my A rating
Hi Prof, just wondering, is that bulge issue with Dex only with the 12 pocket binder or with all three binders?
Btw 5:02 love those revised lands prof 👍
Shame he never responded to you. I wonder if they ever fixed this issue, because those portfolio's look good.
@@lockecole3726 that’s what I’m sayin
Ughhhhh exactly what I was wondering!! Was rly hoping to find the answer in comments
For what it is worth, I didn't get a notification for this video. Thanks for your reliable reviews, Prof.
Showing off the product or those beautiful underground seas Prof? Anyways, thankyou for the review! I was just looking for a binder!
Hehehe. Just driving home the point that mtg cards can command very good storage, im sure.
Yo this video is heat! legit review for the exact problems I was worried about using binders
Prof: flipping the pages of binder
Me: staring at the cards for the whole video
Lol
heyyyy.... any update on the binders, i notice this video is 4 years old, will there be an more recent binder comparison coming up soon?
Your videos always make me want to buy everything you give an A. I almost solely play on Arena now and I still want all this stuff. Thanks for helping keep my love of mtg alive!
I just wanted to say thank you for this, iv been thinking about getting a new binder for my collection, I have a regular 1inch binder completely over stuff from the past 10+ years of adding to it.
The "some are better than others, let's take a look" shot was amazing. The peek over the binder. EXCELLENT take.
Thanks for the review proff. Ended up buying the dragonshield 12 pocket binder. It's so awesome. Always been a fan of their procuts and this one didn't disapoint either.
I've been waiting for someone to review the codex , thank god for this
He already did nearly a year ago:
th-cam.com/video/rl5oAm7SPC0/w-d-xo.html
Because of this review I bought the Codex with the Dashat Artwork (576 pockets) two weeks ago.
Thank you for the great video. Been playing since 2014 just getting back into it since about 2018. I was very interested in the new d&d set and thought it would be fun to make a binder based on that set so thank you for the help in choosing what to buy
Impressive video. Your work is very much appreciated, as it helps the community greatly.
I will take your opinion into account soon enough, since I will reorganise my cards after summer holidays.
Thank you Professor!
As always, Dragon Shield is way better than everything else lol
Dragon shield 👌
Yeah. Definitely buy it or the Dex. They are the two best.
I'd love to see a review of TopDeck/VaultX
I am buying a binder right now so this is perfect timing professor! Thank you! Very helpful
So, with the Dex protection what is so bad about the pages not laying flat? Is it just presentation when you go to trade?
Xavier he likes dragon shield better. I guess, to me a portafolio with no zippers is a no go. I do not live on ac so dust and humidity, and sunlight are an issue. Still prefer the BCW to those presented here even whensome of their colors are really expensive.
I would assume the biggest concern is that when you go zip it up that the pages may not fit correctly if they are misaligned like that sitting out flat.
David s. Exactly. I'm not paying for an expensive portfolio if it doesn't have a zipper.
RadiantBurrito yeah that might be it.
@@radiantburrito It's a dumb concern though, this "problem" only appears when it is completely open. As you close the binder the pages lay flat as they should. It is merely aesthetic.
This video is very timely as I was just looking for binders and couldnt decide what I wanted to do.
These feel homely and are probably my favorite content from your channel
Great vid with exactly the info I needed!
I'm very sad this video didn't exist two weeks ago.
Thanks again professor, I can make another well informed purchase for storing my collection thanks to your excellent reviews.
I
love these kind of videos. Whenever i buy some new mtg accesoirs i first watch your videos about what to buy since I know you have high standards and only say that something is good or bad if it really is.
This comes at the perfect time for me as I was looking at buying new binders!
Your review videos are my far my favorite, and the reason I first became interested in your channel. Wahoo!
The Ultimate Guard Lands Series seems to be the most disappointing line from Ultimate Guard (at least the sleeves and binders). What a shame given that the art is really nice.
Also, Prof, I do not believe you have reviewed the Dragon Shield Zipster (Zippered Codex), which seems to have received little attention and are quite difficult to find. I bought mine from Walmart online of all places for around $20-25, and that was the only place I could find them at the time. It looks like TCGPlayer has one for $55 (shipping included; SKU: AT-38002). These are different from the Codexes reviewed in this video and your last binder video as it has a zipper and is a binder rather than a portfolio (you use your own binder sheets). I love it is the only zippered binder I've found with a good exterior that fits in the back slot of my Pirate Lab backpack.
I own a couple of flexfolios, and I am also not happy with my purchase. The thin and flexible exterior seemed appealing at first from a bag real estate perspective, but the bending is terrifying, as the Professor says, and I will be replacing them before long. It's a shame, because Ultimate Guard have otherwise always impressed me.
U bought a flex folio knowing it flexed so this gripe doesnt go a long way. Seems like a consumer mistake to me. I am not defending their product and would never buy one of those putting individual cards worth more than the whole binder in it. But clearly a consumer purchase mistake.
Ethan, I don't think I said anything else? I literally said I'm unhappy with my purchase and will be replacing them. I couldn't more clearly be saying the purchase was a mistake???
Jacob, I'm honestly not sure, because out of fear of exactly that, I haven't actually been using the elastic after filling up the binders. It *looks* like it would bend the cards, and I'm not taking the risk of finding out.
Oh no offense meant, I love ultra guard too bc they have been solid over the years. What I was put off by was you saying it was a shame that they produced a bunk product bc it didnt fit ur personal needs. Buying a flex folio then regretting it bc the bending is terrifying is contradictory when shaming the company. What I meant is what in the world were u thinking buying a flex folio they are terrifying hehe!
@@EthanBonardel does my making the mistake of buying a bunk product make the product any less bunk?
@@psikker oh i tried to let u off the hook. Your insinuation was that it was bunk not mine. Whats a shame is slyly bashing the product on the basis that you are terrified of the bending when you bought a flex folio haha... Good one man rofl... Were u hoping they would read this and contact you offering to give u something for free? Lul. "Hey guys I bought a flex folio and im terrified of flexing, what a shame" hrmm dont even try, go read ur post, u literally misquoted urself and u did say something else actually. At this point u have no idea what ur talking about.
Some of the most important mtg content available. How do I buy things that don't suck. I wish this was available when I started.
As always, excellent and exceptional reviews Professor. Wishing you a very merry Commander Christmas
Great channel, subbed and watched like 15 different videos today on collecting and storing.
Ah Prof, you have really saved me a lot of grief. I ordered the Dex 12 Zip Binder (before watching your videos) from Amazon who sent me the regular Dex 12 TWICE after I asked for a return. But after watching your video it is clear to me that this was a blessing in disguise and I can rest easy knowing I don't have to painstakingly milk the udders of Bad Daddy Besos' capitalist chumfactory for a folder that I'm happy with. In fact, I'm going to put that money towards your channel instead :)
Great video, this is the content I subscribed for. The only thing missing is a list at the end with all the grades of portfolios you've reviewed up until now as I like to see how everything stacks up.
I got myself an Ultimate Guard Quadrow Portfolio recently (a Xenoskin hardcover one, not the flexfolio or the zipfolio) and I love it, I only wonder now if it will bulge when it's full as I don't think you covered that aspect when you reviewed it unless I'm mistaken. That aside it's basically perfect for me. The Dragon Shield Codex looks great, but the middle gap between the pages is a bit big for my liking (they've obviously designed it that way to avoid the bulge issue) I like how small the gap is between my Ultimate Guard pages as I can display cards in rows of 8 across 2 pages and it looks really cool. Like I said though, I wonder if it will start to bulge as it fills up, I guess only time will tell...
Thank you very much for the product's review. About Dragon Shield portfolio, I like it more Ultrapro binder or BCW LX because I can use it with oversize sleeve. Greetings
I don't play MTG but I do play other cards games, whenever I want to buy some accessories I always visit your channel first. Great job, as always.
Great review. Definitly getting dragon shield. Was going to get a zipper one but i dont want that massive lump in the middle of my collection!
Hey if you take product suggestions I bought the VaultX deck box and sleeves and the box is ok but the sleeves are amazing
I was just hoping for and updated review, definitely going in on some Dragon Shield!
Don't mind me, just here to like and leave a comment, i will watch this when i'm in the market for one and I already know i'm going to very much appreciate this video being around in order to get the deal for me.
A portfolio is supposed to protect cards in transit or storage. The Dex offered a zipper, a solid front and back, and (granted I haven't tested this myself with the zip binder but based on the Dex binders i have) holds the cards in place even when i've spun the binder in the air. Also right when the binder was opened, it was pretty apparent the cards were flat when the portfolio is closed. I really think it deserves at least a B+/A- for doing what a portfolio should do.
The bulge is a problem, when the binder is open, sure, but I don't see people leaving binders randomly open for long periods of time. ESPECIALLY if there are rare or expensive cards in there. And if people are that crazy about the bulge, there are still two columns that aren't even affected by it. Trade binders I've seen have more of a variety rather than just playsets of cards (granted I don't play magic, so magic players correct me if i'm wrong here). If the cards are being put into storage, it's likely the binder is closed and flat.
I came here for advice because your last video about binders led me to the Dex binders and I've been happy with them ever since, but when you give a D-rating to an excellent product with one flaw, but a C-rating to something that inherently does not do what a binder should do (Did people see that bend?? That binder was as flimsy as a noodle), I'm a little skeptical. You have great quality videos, but I gotta disagree on this one
Yeah, I've had the dragonshield 9 pocket for a little under a year now, and its performance has been absolutely stellar, one of the best MTG related purchases I've made, though, that's just how it seems to be with dragonshield. Thanks for the top quality content again Prof! And thanks once again for taking the time to sort the chaff from the cherished!
Edit: Follow up question, do you know how these products fair against water and other kinds of potential card destroyers? It would be really nice to know how much actual protection they offer, if any. Thanks!
Any problems at all with filling up all the way and turning pages bending corners? Anyting you can tell me I have a lot of rare cards and I want to start putting them in binders to help me with storage and top loaders. But I'm afraid I'm going to f*** them up
@@ronron26ny I haven't noticed anything of the sort
Professor, have you done the Ultimate Guard 8 pocket Zipfolio? If not, I would be very interested in seeing a review of it.
I recently bought the ultimate guard flip and tray and I was shocked to find parts held together by weak, stringy glue. Although this has not affected the performance, I do not think that you mentioned this in your review although I may be mistaken.
I would also like to note that the review of my dragon shield sleeves was very accurate.
Sounds like you got a bad deckbox, have you considered contacting Ultimate Guard? I have multiple Flip N’ Trays and other similar boxes from UG and I’ve never seen any sign of glue, or any other indication that the materials and adhesives are not quality.
Oh yeah! Another classic binder review video. Back to the roots 🙂👍🏻
One issue you may not have considered is that non zipper binders collect dust on top of the pages and the sun and humidity degrades the clear plastic. So for me at least the dex seem like the better choice. I look forward to see dragon shield get zippers on their binders.
There’s other zipper binders that I have reviewed in the past that lie flat. Check out my review of the BCW zippered.
Oh my goodness that lands section is absolutely nuts
I think you are being a bit too harsh on Dex Zip Binders here 6:30. It's only a cosmetic issue.
thats what i was thinking. the flex binder before it had the risk of bending cards and that got a C. here theres a bump in the pages in between cards and it gets a D.
Great video as always.
Could you maybe do a video talking about the best ring binders and ring binder pages?
I think I need to replace mine pretty soon
Prof, has Card Kingdom announced any plans to stock the Dragon Shield Codex portfolios? I didn't see it listed on your storefront nor in the general Gear section on CK's site
Thanks professor helped me out in my time of need.
Thank you for this video. I was almost gonna buy a Dex binder but that bulge is a deal breaker. The Dragon Shield binders look great.
I agree with you on the Dex zipper binders. I will never buy them. I don’t want a binder with pages that won’t lay flat when filled with cards. I don’t want to take the risk of damaging my cards. Also, I don’t want a binder with a flimsy cover that can bend if stepped or sat on. Thanks for the review, prof! I’m going to get a dragon codex binder right now!
Picked up a dragon one. Thanks for the recommendation
This is my first time seeing one of the professors videos 8 min after it was uploaded :)
Professor, I love your detail! Best MTG prodcut reviews on the web!!
I was looking for this before I bought the Dex protection zip. I'm actually happy with it. I suppose that's because I dont have it full, but I also dont have a large collection. I'm sure they'll fix the problem so when I do need another, and need it full, I can buy it confidently.
One may agree with you, or not, though your review work is not only really useful, it is a guide to magic players.
Congrats Professor and continue the amazing work!
As always, very helpful and informative reviews. I was confused with the flexfolio and zip binder terms being thrown around because I recalled that the zipfolio was one of the better binders in a previous review. But I've now learned that it's just difficult to name binder products distinctively when you're also trying to get certain features across (like zippers)
So if I've got this straight:
Ultimate Guard Zipfolio (xenoskin)= good
Ultimate Guard Flexfolio = too flexible
Dex Protection Dex Binder = good
Dex Protection Zip Binder = unseemly bulges
Dragon Shield Codex = good
Hey Professor, as of today would you still rank Dragon Shield at the top of your list? Thank you
Yes
Thank you! I'm a newbie.
I want to make sure that I have all the necessities. 😎❤️
Those are some great high end trades, Prof. Keep it up!
Sorry if you have already covered it and I missed it, but too bad you didn't try the first set of land binders. So far, my has kept a wonderful cover despite it being used for months now.
I too am made uncomfortable by dramatic bulges
I disagree with your assessment of the dex protection zip binders. Although I understand that not only are you much more experienced than me, and are also a lot better than me at assessing magic products; I just think that such an error isn’t bad enough to put it at a D, not an A, in my book, but at least a B or C.
P.S. I hope I used that semicolon right :)
Edit- spelling errors
I'd say maybe C-. The issue isn't "it looks bumpy", it's that it makes it easier for the cards to get damaged.
Hello ! I was just wondering if someone could help me... I can't decide between buying the Dragon Shield Codex or the Zipfolio Ultimate Guard... For protection what is the best ? Zipfolio with the zipper will always be better than a "Non-Zipper" binder am I right ? (Since the professor didn't compare them I don't really what would be the best choice...)
The fact that the Dex got a D is absolutely insane.
I can not disagree with Prof. when i saw the flimsiness of those i was baffled
@@raimundkeller6115 the Dex isn't flimsy, though. It has a bulge when full, that doesnt effect the cards within.
@@wesjaguar so they lay flat when they need to. Got it.
@@wesjaguar there's no force - as the binder is closed they lie flat. It's because the pages are individually attached the the spine. Like any hardback book. I take you're not much of a reader
it's a pretty dumb reason tbh. My Ultimate Guard QuadZip does that, and believe me there's nothing wrong function wise with that thing aside from maybe sheer size.
Are you sure about the 480 version of the Dragon shield codex? Some sellers (and Dragon Shield home page) say it has 576 card slots.
Hi Professor, I purchased a Dex binder from my local game store. It was new, sealed in package. When I got towards the end of the binder, I noticed a quality issue in which 2 of the pages were not stitched on the top & bottom. so you cannot even place cards on 4 sheets. I e-mailed them to let them know about the quality issue and, while they were interested in hearing about the issue and accepted a video I recorded of it, they were not interested in rectifying the situation, didn't apologize, & basically questioned me as if it was my fault or local game shop's fault. (The stitching is literally not there, it is clearly a manufacturing issue, they are not torn.) Just thought you might be interested in noting this quality issue. It's the Limited Edition Binder 9 - paid 29$ at my local game store and it costs 25$ on their website. Anyway, I'm watching your videos now to pick out a replacement.
Great video. Do the Ultra Pro Eclipse come in Clear backs also. If not, which I assume do not as the name implies that they don’t. What is there equivalent?
I’d like to sleeve the cards in several of my board games.
Scythe
Dead of Winter
Terraforming Mars
Memoir 44’
To name a few
I missed these review videos
Excelent review, congratulations and thank you.
Hi Prof, when will you do the dragon shield new art matte sleeve reviews? also will you ever review the dragon shield zipped portfolios?
Just yesterday I was thinking that I need a new binder. Thanks Professor! ^_^
0:50 on ×0,5 tempo: Me, when I'm getting more liquor at the store.
Where do you find the dragon shield codex binders for 27.99? everywhere I look they are 40 and up...
Honestly, I think its a supply and demand issue. Typically, new releases are scarce anyway, but when the Prof gives an A grade they really go fast. It was the same for the Dragon Shield Matte sleeves a while back. Just be patient and be on the lookout.
Excellent video as always Prof
I'm new to your channel and have really enjoyed your content and find it very helpful. I was wondering if you'd do a Pokemon is it worth it to buy a Build and Battle box as well as a more general Buyers guide to Pokemon tcg products.
Was waiting for the beard protector plug, protect your beard as you travel to your LGS, but it ever came!
Excellent Reviews as always! Sadly the quad row portfolios up here are as near as makes no difference, 50$ a piece. Even if I could afford that, I'd still probably second guess myself. It is however amazing and I want one :) Cheers.
Prof flexing his cards with the flexfolio again
Thanks for the help professor. Now I'm spending my money where it should be
Extremely helpful as always Prof, ty very much
The Dragon Shield looks clean!
Great video. A bit late to comment, but one thing that has never been clear to me... talking about acid and pvc free, is this referring to the pages or the actual binder/cover as well? Does/should the actual binder, not only the pages, also be pvc and acid free?
The prof was just flexing on us with his collection
I like how he casually flips through all the duals, then later he talks about the 4 pocket as "great for showing off" and it has like, a playset of grafdigger's cages.
Hello ! I can't decide between buying the Dragon Shield Codex or the Zipfolio Ultimate Guard... For protection what is the best ? Zipfolio with the zipper will always be better than a "Non-Zipper" binder am I right ?