Card clips: what sucks and what doesn't?

[RelativityCards]

I've purchased a handful of black aluminum card clips from different makers this year in pursuit of the right one for my laser-etching needs:

The Magic Makers Deck Defender on Amazon is trash. You're welcome

The Art of Play classic clip has held up quite nicely, and every time I fear that my keys have scratched the surface horribly (and yes, I know it was a bad idea to put them in the same pocket. It was a stress test, both for the clip and I ) said scratches rubbed right out. Magical!

I picked up a black Porper clip and I can't complain. The laser etching tests I did came out poorly on it compared to the Art of Play clip, but I recognize that's an edge case for most (Etch case, eh Pip? )

Has anyone tried the TCC clips? I'm looking for affordable clips that compare favorably with the AoP clip. I'm guessing I'm not going to find anything better though in the price range.

[theCapraAegagrus]

Although I hate Ellusionist now, I always liked their card clips. I think I have 4 of them.

[Fes]

I use card clips to press me decks that have a bit of use on them. Straightens the deck out quite nicely (out of the tuck) and looks pretty while doing it. Then again so does sticking the deck on a shelf with a book and a piggy bank on the deck, in tuck or out doesn't matter with this method. On topic though, I don't run around with a card clip in me pocket at all, ever. I find the things aren't pocket pals at all. They're heavy, loud when coins or a knife or keys hit them, hard in a cold way and just down right obnoxious feeling to me.

Instead I use one of those leather deck cases Jody sells on his campaign or used to, maybe on his site Black Ink. I don't know, but yea I use one of those have for years it's just part of me EDC. Been considering a change but, eh, it'd have to be something special to take the place of this little work horse. I have no complaints it's a little snug for some tucks but they fit and the thing protects from pocket wear just fine without damaging the material in my pocket at all. Just better in every possible way for me than a card clip is in the pocket. No noise, protects the deck well, not too hard, not cold in winter and it protects houses the deck entirely as opposed to about 85% the card clips do.

[Fes]

While I was waiting in a parking lot I remembered this thread and my somewhat vague description. I thought better and I snapped a quick pic. This is great for the pocket in my opinion and built very well. It has been a constant with me for years. Of course I don't use it for a hammer either. Points for who knows what deck I was carrying today. It is in the case of course, backwards so the seal stamp is visible.

[oddsmaker003]

My sophisticated card clip.