Decks that just feel good

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Sep 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Woof	15 Sep 2003
Some decks feel better to the hands. It may not be my favorite reading deck but I love the way Il Tarocco Bizzarro feel in my hands. The size of the deck is right and the coating perfect. They are not too slick (rather matte), not too stiff and have an almost fabric feel to them, yet they feel like they'll last a long time. They shuffle better than any other deck I have. They are Italian published by Dal Negro. Just wondering if anyone has any that stand out just for the tactile experience. Woof

Emily	15 Sep 2003
I have small hands and usually find large decks a problem to shuffle and stay away from them, but saying that the Rohrig has always been very satisfying to shuffle. The card stock is thin but good quality and the cards slide together nicely, the Rohrig is too big to shuffle normally so its a hand over hand shuffle. This is the only large deck I can shuffle like this and it is very relaxing lol :) Edited because on reading it back, my very bad explanation of shuffling the Rohrig sounded slightly rude lol

Tallarico	15 Sep 2003
Most of my decks have a slick feel. I wish I could find a more "matte" feel as you put it. I have won some old decks (1969, 1970) from Ebay. Hopefully they will be less slick. So I cannot answer you question. Well I guess, so far...none.

Sulis	15 Sep 2003
I know exactly what you mean. I have the Glastonbury Tarot which I love but I absolutely hate the feel of it; it's so heavily laminated that it almost feels as though it's made of plasic. I almost bought the Illuminated Tarot recently, it's a handmade deck and it's gorgeous. Carol sent me a couple of card samples and they really put me off - I can't cope with an ultra-shiny plasic coating on my cards. I have Tarot of Prague and that is a matte finish deck - it is lovely to handle and shuffle. Love and light Crystalmynx xx

Le_Corsair	15 Sep 2003
My vote goes to the Ator Tarot, produced by Aeclectic's very own Rota. I don't know where he found the cardstock, but it is great. It appears to be uncoated, and feels satiny to the touch. Also, at 3" x 4.25" (76mm x 108mm) it fits my average-sized hands perfectly. I personally think that size of the cards should be figured into the equation on this thread, because no how perfect the cardstock and finish, if the cards are too large or too small for manipulation, there will be little pleasure in using them. Bob :THERM

astril	15 Sep 2003
Crystalmynx, Tarot of Paris is a more matte card stock, and the art is fabulous. Check it out, it shuffles very smoothly even thought the cards are a bit large. I came across this deck by accident and was very pleased,

Logiatrix	15 Sep 2003
Although it is a rather out-sized deck, I have no problems with the Animal-Wise Tarot that I use quite often. I mix the cards with the "swish" method. My Royal Fez Moroccan also has that matte thing going on, making for a nice deck to handle. It's the older 1971 version, with I think is less shiny than the current edition. My Visconti Gold is my top favorite, especially because of the tactile comfort derived from handling the cards. It's the 1999 edition from USG, which is a more "raw" version, IMO. It's narrow, with rough edges, sharp corners, a thick card stock and a laundry list of errors throughout the deck. But I get this deck in my hands, and it feels like home, imperfections and all... :)

zorya	15 Sep 2003
the renaissance tarot by brian williams is my absolute favorite for the 'feel of shuffling'. not only does its matte finish feel nice, you can actually feel the cards slide over one another, but it makes the most satisfying sound while shuffling. ( it may not be an easy deck to shuffle for those with small hands.)

oceanpoetry	15 Sep 2003
I would have to choose my Hanson-Roberts, because the small deck shuffles easily in my hands. The Crystal Tarot is a favorite for shuffling, because of their size and also because I love looking at their back design (the blue-white peacock) while I am shuffling.

fairyhedgehog	16 Sep 2003
The Shakespearian. I only had it 'on loan' but it was a most wonderful deck to shuffle. The cards are narrow and not too long and have a wonderful silky feel to them. I just liked to hold them :) Oh, and my Hanson-Roberts has worn well and is nice and small. But it's not in the same league.

truthsayer	16 Sep 2003
i love the feel of my hanson roberts and my zerner farber. they remind me of curling up on the couch on a cold evening after a hot shower and relaxing with a cup of french vanilla coffee in a nice comfy nightgown and afghan wrap with one of these 2 in hand to do a reading. makes me purr just thinking about it.

Maan	17 Sep 2003
Like the way you put it Truth...thats how i feel with my hanson roberts too. Also my spiral BTW. The vision quest seems to get the same feel...but i need to shuffle it some more. The dceks i use the most are saidly enough impossible to shuffle :( Love Maan

The Decks that just feel good thread was originally posted on 15 Sep 2003 in the Tarot Decks board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Tarot Decks, or read more archived threads.