KSA grading vs. PSA or BVG/BGS

[Bangkokbob]

Has anyone had any experience with KSA grading? Are they good for vintage hockey? Do they cross over to PSA or BGS/BVG equally or in your experience graded higher/ lower?

Thanks,

Rob

 

[Pacman69]

I would say 1-1.5 points lower than PSA


Pacman

 

[winniescards]

Very good question.I have had all my cards graded by KSA.I own a lot of PSA cards.And from my experience I prefer KSA.If your object is resale than I would suggest that you use PSA.They definitely will bring you more money.So many people are convinced that they are bees needs when it comes to vintage grading.But if you are looking to keep the cards as a part of your personal collection and resale plays not part in your decision than I would check the cards that you are buying.I have cards from the same set graded by the two different companies.Both cards graded are 8's and I would never exchange my KSA8 for the PSA8 for my personal collection.So if you have seen two copies of the same card that you want(same grade) and one is graded by KSA and one by PSA than examine the two cards very carefully.You can likely save a bit of cash by buying the KSA graded card and in a lot of cases will get a better card.The thing that you need to remember is that grading is still a hands on operation.And when you allow people to do such things than there will always be good and bad in all of the companies.I maintain that if you send the same card to PSA 3 times and got a different grader each time that you will likely end up with three different grades.But as a collector you need to decide which card looks the best for your collection.Not just because it has PSA stamped at the top.
I have a good friend that purchased a large lot of KSA cards.Removed them all from their holders.Resubmitted them all to PSA.On average was 1-1.5 higher grades.But what was really good for him,since he is only interested in the resale value.He made out like a bandit when he sold the PSA graded cards as compared to what the original seller could do with the cards graded by PSA.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do.Graded vintage is a very exciting part of the hobby.

 

[marclemagnifique]

I sent some KSA to PSA. They came back ½ to 3 points lower with PSA... Somes card previously grade by KSA was found trimmed by PSA or BVG.

 

[Bangkokbob]

This is for my PC but I'm concerned with fakes i.e. Gretzky, Lemieux, Roy, Bourque. Also condition as I'm on the other side of the world and sometimes the pics/ scans aren't the best sometimes. I normally buy BGS and a few PSA, but I have never bought a KSA. So, I'm trying to see what others experience is.

Thanks,

Rob

 

[terry1hockeyfan]

Feel free to check my bucket for examples of the three companies. I have some KSA cards that I would put up against any other with the same grade from any company. Others I would say have a higher score than they would earn with other companies. Grading is always subjective, but I have no problem buying KSA.

 

[MGiuseffi1969]

I am 100% comfortable that cards graded by KSA are legit. That said, I tend to ignore thhe grades themselves if purchasing them. I have cracked a few and graded with BVG and they have come back 2 full grades on average below the KSA Grade. I prefer BVG for my personal collection, but they are harsh on Vintage, especially pre-WWI stuff. If you are looking to grade high grade examples in hopes of selling at some point, PSA is by far your best option. SGC is also very poprular in other spoprts for Pre WWII stuff, but not so much Hockey. If you are simply looking to encapsulate and keep in your PC, you can chose whichever you like of these 4 I mentioned. Steer away from any others....

 

[Bangkokbob]

I've been reading your guys posts and thank you for sharing your experience.