Ultimate Guard Katana: Nearly Perfect Deck Protectors

Introduction to Katana Sleeves

Ultimate Guard Katana is the top of the line series of deck protectors for Ultimate Guard. With that premium tiering in mind these sleeves compete directly with Dragon Shield Mattes and Ultra Pro Eclipse so a lot of premium features are expected. Good news is the Katana sleeves not only deliver, but surpass their competitors in multiple regards.

Durable and Opaque Design

When it comes to durability, Katana sleeves perform on a high level just like they promise. Each sleeve has a clear front that is 90 microns thick, which provides an ideal balance between protection and ease of shuffling. The back side is fully opaque, measuring 120 microns thick, which ensures complete concealment of the card design. At this point, this level of thickness is usually standard for top tier deck protectors, ensuring they can hold up against extensive wear and tear for heavy tournament play and excessive play in general.

Variety and Compatibility

One of the best aspects of Katana sleeves is their availability in a large variety of appealing colors. Whether you prefer a classic black that merges with any deck, or vibrant colors that stand out, there’s something for everyone. Moreover, Katana sleeves cater to various card dimensions, including the standard size (63mm x 88mm) suitable for popular games like One Piece, Pokémon and Magic the Gathering as well as a Japanese card game size (59mm x 86mm) tailored for games such as Yu-Gi-Oh. This variety makes Katana sleeves a versatile choice for all your gaming needs.

Second to None Shuffle Feel

If all you care about is the easiest shuffle feel, pleasant and the least amount of resistance, the Katana sleeves are the best in this regard surpassing both Ultra Pro Eclipse and Dragon Shield Matte sleeves. In fact they are so easy to shuffle with that it almost feels like they are coated with some kind of oil or butter, that's how easy and seamless it is to shuffle with them. Absolutely zero friction.

The Downsides

Perhaps I'm just too hard to please but I do have some small nitpicks to point out. Firstly, while standard in other premium sleeves as well the thickness level of these sleeves is somewhat annoying for me, seeing as I like thinner sized sleeves for easier handling and to take up less space for storage in deck boxes. While they technically share the same micron measurements for thickness, a brand new deck sleeved with Katana sleeves will stand even taller than a deck sleeved with Dragon Shield Mattes because of the expansive elasticity of the Katana sleeves. It's a bit tricky to explain without an actual demonstration but when you squeeze a Dragon Shield Matte sleeved deck it doesn't compress; but when you try that with a Katana sleeved deck it does. Speaking of Dragon Shield Mattes, while not as buttery smooth when it comes to shuffling; their more textured matte back gives them a more balanced feel for handling and grip. Ultimate Guard Katana sleeves are almost too buttery smooth; I may be insane for mentioning this and perhaps I need to compare them even more but I think Dragon Shield Mattes may actually have an overall more balanced shuffle feel in terms of pleasantness and handling. Lastly, Ultimate Guard Katana sleeves are more expensive than Dragon Shield Mattes and Ultra Pro Eclipse sleeves. You get the easiest shuffle feel with them for sure, but their durability is similar if not somewhat worse than Dragon Shield Mattes so you can't say you objectively get the best sleeves for the most expensive price.

Conclusion

Minor nitpicks aside, these are close to perfect deck protectors and easily a top choice if you're looking for top level sleeves. They provide and excel in every important category you can think of in what makes a good set of deck protectors. In fact, even with my nitpicks they have become the sleeves I favour the most out of other premium tier level deck protectors. So, if money isn't an issue these may be your dream come true sleeves so be sure to try at least one pack.

SaberWof's Rating 4.5/5