Bhavana
I like to riffle, but agree that it can be damaging - and have found that even one riffle shuffle can be brutal, especially to cardstock like that of the Wildwood deck, that sort of stiff non-pliant cardstock. The Sharman-Caselli deck is the same. One riffle, and I have cards with creases. And I am very careful, so it doesn't take much.
What I have found is that I was riffling too much - no need to do it 5 times. Twice is more than enough, with some lacing in between, and lots of lacing after, if i feel the deck needs it. When I do riffle, I try to do it on all sides, and with the cards held vertically, so the deck gets worked over evenly.
To avoid letting someone else shuffle my cards, I do the shuffling, then spread the cards out and ask them to choose the amount necessary.
What I have found is that I was riffling too much - no need to do it 5 times. Twice is more than enough, with some lacing in between, and lots of lacing after, if i feel the deck needs it. When I do riffle, I try to do it on all sides, and with the cards held vertically, so the deck gets worked over evenly.
To avoid letting someone else shuffle my cards, I do the shuffling, then spread the cards out and ask them to choose the amount necessary.