"SILK" by OathPlayingCards

[chicken_ql]

Wow, does it always come with free shipping?

[Lotrek]

Wow, does it always come with free shipping?

Usually for expensive decks, yes.

[chicken_ql]

Wow, does it always come with free shipping?

Usually for expensive decks, yes.

Got 2 . This will be my first deck from you! Seriously wonder what they're like to warrant the extreme price point O_O.
Thanks for the update Lotrek!

[Bradius]

You will soon see what all the fuss is about. Lotrek decks are like cat nip to us. Just be careful, trying to back-fill a Lotrek collection can be very expensive.

Last I checked, only 50 decks remaining. Get them while they are hot.

[chicken_ql]

Yeah, I really like how the sanctus looks. I really wonder how it feels like and if Lotrek will ever release it again or if its sold out

[badpete69]

Chicken A lot of people do not even remember or know about Lotrek's first 2 decks. The Timeless deck and the Butterfly deck

Timeless was his first deck ever. And by looking at the people still selling it under $10, I do not think they even know it is Lotrek first ever deck. Usually they say Timeless by RSVP. If some of you still need that deck now is the time











His second deck was the Bicycle Butterfly deck. I think you can still get that one also cheap... Anyway a little history reminder for some

[Merlebird]

I haven't gotten my Arabesque Players yet, but my Silk Red arrived in the mail on I think Thursday. I just reorganized my card chest, but I think I will have to do it again to make room for this one in the top tray. We'll see once Silk Blue gets here.

[vasta41]

I WILL, as I always do, and @vasta41 can kill me over, but I got nine lives

I won't kill you! I don't understand you crazy people but they're your decks to do what you want with. We can still be friends!

I'm sure you weren't wondering but mine will certainly be staying wrapped.

[badpete69]

Forgot to link the interview with Kardify from 2014. It explains Lotrek's beginnings with Russ Stevens (RSVP Magic). We have a thread also on UC from back then

https://www.kardify.com/2014/04/1-on-1-lotrek.html

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4847&hilit=kardify+lotrek

[Timmargh]

Silk and Ambassador Silver arrived today. [...]

Please, for the love of Lotrek, tell me that's a slip and should read "Arabesque"!

[Timmargh]

Got 2 . This will be my first deck from you! Seriously wonder what they're like to warrant the extreme price point O_O.
Thanks for the update Lotrek!

My brain: "Run! Run while you still can!!"

My heart: "One of us! One of us!"

[Timmargh]

Chicken A lot of people do not even remember or know about Lotrek's first 2 decks. The Timeless deck and the Butterfly deck

Timeless was his first deck ever. And by looking at the people still selling it under $10, I do not think they even know it is Lotrek first ever deck. Usually they say Timeless by RSVP. If some of you still need that deck now is the time

I, too, was unaware of this; thank you for the information.

There are some on eBay selling for £10 including postage. *yoink*

[Bradius]

That is one thing I like about Lotrek is that he does have some very affordable examples. During his Ambassador Standard campaigns\, the decks went down to like $10 each for like a brick. The Arabesque Blue and Red decks were like $15 each ($13.75 each for a brick) and the Arabesque Silver Standard was a special deck that sold for I think $20, but that is still a very low price. Heck, his Ambassador Collector's decks were only $39 when they went on sale, which is still not bad at all for a fully foiled deck. The Ambassador Standard decks are actually a lot rarer than their numbering implies as many were lost when a fire destroyed a Taiwan fulfillment center.

[robcan0630]

Thanks for the tip. I snatched a Timeless deck for $9.75 shipped.

[Eric Lee]

Don't forget his Venexiana Dark decks. Still can be found around $16-20 per deck at various online stores. Amazon, CPC and other online stores around the world. So if you've got the $, grab them while you still can.

Those decks have some of Lotrek's best fully custom courts art, IMHO. You can see his art evolve from Timeless - Butterfly - Venexiana Dark for fully custom courts. He even had a booklet with the background story for Venexiana Dark for the KS project but sadly, Lotrek's HD crashed so you can't get the booklet anymore even in PDF.

Anyone here on UC have the booklet? (If Lotrek's ok with scan upload of the booklet, it would be great to see this shared here.) If not, at least the story behind the courts, for those of us who missed it.

[Bradius]

I can't help with that booklet. However, your comments reminded me that some are new here and might not be aware that Enders Game did a great review of Lotrek's various decks in two parts. Below are links to them:

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10688&p=122561&hil ... na#p122561

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=10692&p=122580&hil ... na#p122580

[chicken_ql]

I heard the card quality for the venexianas aren't very good

[Räpylätassu]

I heard the card quality for the venexianas aren't very good

It's exactly the same as any other EPCC deck with Master finish. Venexiana Dark's that is. And the Bicycle Venexianas are the excact same as any other USPCC deck from Kentucky with Air-Cushion.

People worry too much about the technical quality of custom decks, most of the decks collectors own are never going to be used in any type of gameplay or magic show and most really custom decks are not even suitable to be used in either. Besides people who own hundreds and hundreds of quality decks and refuse to buy great looking decks from lesser printers because that particular deck would not be usable never fail to amuse me.

Does the deck look good? Do you personally like the design? Can you afford it? Those are the questions, not the hypothetical usability of something that is never going to be used.

And for the record EPCC Master Finish is of good technical quality.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Well done, Lotrek, but...

I have a couple of number cards with noticeable flaws. Luckily, all of the court cards look flawless. It's NBD, but if you'd like to send me a Silk Blue deck for my troubles...

[Bradius]

Lotrek can send you a Blue Silk deck of your very own for $80 total including shipping from Greece to the US. 34 decks still available. You know you want it...

[theCapraAegagrus]

Lotrek can send you a Blue Silk deck of your very own for $80 total including shipping from Greece to the US. 34 decks still available. You know you want it...

Sounds like a hassle.

[Bikefanatic]

As I mentioned before, if you can shuffle the cards, that's good enough though very few decks are stiff. Rap hit the nail on the head, not every deck you have to fan, pharaoh, dribble and do tricks. Just shuffle.

I noticed on the 2 number cards, there was a line on them but very minor to me since with the type of deck, it's expected to happen here on there. As long as a number card isn't shown through looking at the back of a card, no problem.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Some criticism:

- Flap on the tuck is too long. Hassle to open.
- Tuck design is beautiful and elegant (as are the cards).
- LOVE the stamp border on the back design. 100% awesome.
- Registration looks perfect on every card.
- Handles very, very well.

[Timmargh]

Mine arrived today, but I've not had a chance to have a look at them, yet.

I bought one to keep and one to sell, and I got decks #068 and #069; I think I'll be selling #069 when the time comes.

[Bradius]

Hah. I have #069 Golden Arthurian. We should pair them.

[sms69x]

SILK Red... What can be said that isn't already pointed out??!! This is a F***ING GREAT DECK! A solid 10/10!!

Why not an 11/10 you may ask? Just because I feel that the tuck box falls somewhat short! I don't know if it is because of the flimsy papper stock or because of that black banner, but the bottom line is that the box is a bit underwhelm. The design on it is great it really gives the tone for what's inside, but it lacks the WOW factor of the Liturgy Treasure or Golden OATH boxes; or even the Arabersque Silver Players, which is amazing BTW.

The cards are fantastic, the thin line work on the faces gives the cards a beautiful, almost hypnotic effect, as my girlfriend said: "it gives them some texture". Love the red background for the black cards and black for the reds:

face backgrounds

Its kinda a pitty that the back is so busy (busy in a positive way, as the back design is fantastic), that the same effect is not so noticeble. As this would make for some fantastic cardistry displays, or even for some hypnotic effects while spreading the deck on a table.

spread

Speaking of handling, these are quite good for a foiled back and front deck. Spreads are ok, and fans are acceptable (a bit better thatn NPCC). I received at the same time the Bitcoin Green (EPCC foiled backs) decks and must say that SILK is almost at that level! (Don't know if it was the deck I got, but I was expecting way more from the Bitcoin Green.)
The stock is also very good, just the finish needs some improvement (Arabesque Silver Players uses the same stock and finish and I must report that they handle a bit better than these, but not that better).

fan

Now the best aspect of this deck are the court cards, they are phenomenal! The design is fantastic, the best "Lotrek take on standard courts", and the colors (mostly a blood red) interlink perfectly with the golden foil.

Faces

Can't wait for SILK Blue.

(PS: Sorry about the bad quality photos, but is very hard to try to capture all of this deck greatness through the small optic lens of my cheap camera.)

[Bikefanatic]

Since you guys are loving the red Silk deck, wait until you get your hands on the blue deck.

[Bradius]

Cat-Vs-Mailman.jpg (47.82 KiB) Viewed 2040 times

I know. They will come, but I feel like this cat for sure.

[chicken_ql]

I know how you guys feel. I ordered my silk decks 2 minutes ago, and I can't believe they're still not here. I can't wait much longer D:.

[Bradius]

So, I make the above post while at home for lunch, I come back to my office and a quite large package is waiting for me with beautiful Greek stamps all over from Lotrek!

So, here is the group photo.

I haven't opened the Red Silk decks yet, but I am sure they are magnificent.

As for my eight Silver Arabesque Players decks, they are actually paired with eight red players and eight blue players decks to go in two custom brick boxes (one red and one blue). The tuck is magnificent. I had no idea you would like the inside of the tucks. Just floored. The cards handle great for my untrained hand. If you did them in Greece, you did an outstanding job! If not, my compliments to the printer. Also, if this is what I can expect from the Red and Blue Arabesque players, I am super thrilled. Eventually the sets will likely get placed into Sherman's carat cases.