I love the feel of a well used and worn deck - the softer egdges that the cards have, and I feel I have more 'control' (if thats possible) of the shuffling.
I have an old RWS deck - which is probably 20 years old that Ive used on a regular basis. It it worn and the colors have scratch faded. I was realy suprised recently when I looked through a brand new deck of RWS how bright the colours were are the black lines were so definate - it wasnt until then I saw how 'used' my regualr deck of RWS are.
I have a heavy hand when it comes to shuffling - so I think I really put cards to the test.
I cant remember not using a deck or a card because they were too worn out.
I think they last well given the treatment I give them.
Its taken a year of weekly use for my Gilded deck to start to show the sign of a 'used' deck - the black is starting to scratch wear from shuffling and the edges are finally starting to thicken up - they're not as slippery as they were when I got them - so I guess another couple of years and i'll be happy with them.
The Da Vinci Enigma deck - because of the board they're on - will wear very quickly, but may also loose their strength - pity - I like the cards, but not the board they're on. They will possibly loose their 'spine' before to long and start to bend or fold on shuffling.
I find it difficult to think of just replacing a card for the worn decks, as the new card is so obvious when shuffling - much too new and slippery for the old deck.
I think a deck would have to be retired if there were cards which had been damaged (folded or started to bend beyond repair, torn or edges totally missing) started hindering the shuffling, or were very obvious amongst the deck - especially if the cards are chosen by fanning the deck.
Blessings
Elven x
I