Honeybee Deck by Penguin Magic & Randy Butterfield

[Reylek]

Hi everyone!  Many of you probably saw the sneak peek of the upcoming Penguin Decks in the 52+J convention thread.  We were able to get a small supply of decks sent down to Florida that arrived just days after they came off the presses!

I'm very happy to say that the first-ever deck produced by Penguin Magic, the Honeybee Deck, will be officially released on Tuesday the 27th over at penguinmagic.com

Here are a few bullet points about the print run:

-First Edition Printing of 2500 Decks
-Printed by the US Playing Card Company
-Bee Stock and Premium "Magic" Finish
-Traditionally Cut
-Designed by Randy Butterfield
-Custom Back, Tuck Box, Seal, Ace of Spades, and Jokers
-Custom Color Scheme and Background Pattern on the Court Cards
-2 Custom Double-Backer Gaff Cards Included

I've been using the same deck pretty much non-stop for the last 3 weeks, and they have held up beautifully, even against the humidity of Florida and NC!  USPCC did a great job with the production on them, and Randy did an absolutely amazing job with the artwork.  We also have a really fun preview video for them that will be on the website tomorrow - I'm thrilled with how it turned out!  I've attached a screenshot from the video to this post.

For all of you Instagram users - keep an eye out for posts from @instapenguinmagic and also the hashtag #penguinplayingcards

This is the first of many decks to come from Penguin, so I hope you all enjoy them! 

Thanks!

Kevin

[Reylek]

Tony at Kardify has posted a very nice First Look at the deck, with some beautiful photos of the deck.  Check 'em out!

http://www.kardify.com/2015/10/first-look-honeybee-by-penguin-magic.html

[Fess]

Nice! I am excited. I wonder if their will be a nice brick deal for Fes and like minded peoples available.

That Honeybee tuck has honey on it. 

[Reylek]

The Honeybee decks are now live at $7.95/deck with a special Cool Box price today on bricks of 12 decks for only $79.95!

Go grab 'em now and enjoy!

http://www.penguinmagic.com/p/6253

[Fess]

Grabbed me a brick and showed PenguinMagic some more love while doing it haha.

HONEYBEES!

[Reylek]

Thanks Fes, really appreciate that!

The response to the Honeybees so far has been great!  We've sold over half the run in about 4 hours, so we definitely don't expect these to last long.

Thanks so much for the support! 

[Fess]

What a great response, that's pure Honeybee love! I know a lot of people have been drooling over them since we saw something of the design that's very impressive.

I'm waiting twelve and a half hours before I go order some more so other people have opportunity to snag some up. Since I have already placed my order for a brick, I tend to feel that's the right thing to do so someone else can have one as well.

Given the news that over half the run is sold in four hours. I kind of want to go click all over that magical penguin and order another now haha. Gotta get away from the comp, or I'll do it. That would break Fes rules, I gotta wait even though I have....

HONEYBEE FEVER!

(That happens to me with most Randy Butterfield designed decks haha.)

[PrincessTrouble]

As of now: Only 160 individual decks left.  Only 41 bricks left.

I so wanted a brick, but I'm cutting back on card spending.  So I settled for 4 decks.

[Fess]

As of now: Only 160 individual decks left.  Only 41 bricks left.

I so wanted a brick, but I'm cutting back on card spending.  So I settled for 4 decks.

You're stronger than I am. I feel like I'm about to cave and pick up more, haha. I was all fine and good until those Edgerly Bros sent out that KS update reminder of their relauch! Now here I am again, looking at that Penguin holding bricks of HONEYBEE's in its... flippers?

[Mark]

As of now: Only 160 individual decks left.  Only 41 bricks left.

I so wanted a brick, but I'm cutting back on card spending.  So I settled for 4 decks.

You're stronger than I am. I feel like I'm about to cave and pick up more, haha. I was all fine and good until those Edgerly Bros sent out that KS update reminder of their relauch! Now here I am again, looking at that Penguin holding bricks of HONEYBEE's in its... flippers?

Bought 4 decks as well. Don't want to derail this topic but really curious from your comments Fes. How do you use your cards and how long would a brick last you?

[Magic_Orthodoxy]

If you're still on the fence - here is my review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PMaGkSwWz8

[Fess]

First brick arrived today. It's waiting on the rest of it's... swarm? Which will probably land tomorrow!
PenguinMagic does some quick shipping, very nice on getting your order out with haste.

HONEYBEE'S!!!

[Cardfool]

Sold out!  That was quick!  Glad I picked up some.

[HeartQ]

Congratulations, obviously a winner!

[ksi]

My brick arrived last week.
But I just have time to unbox 1 and try it on hands these few days.
The stock is great, the finish is great, everything is great and I love the design.

Except a small issue - the deck I opened is by modern cut, my thumb drag down from the back of the deck to the face of the deck much smoother than the opposite way.
Does anyone with this deck got the same situation with me?

I think this is not the first case that USPCC cutting the deck wrongly.
I am a bit worry if the rest of the brick are all in modern cut.

[Don Boyer]

My brick arrived last week.
But I just have time to unbox 1 and try it on hands these few days.
The stock is great, the finish is great, everything is great and I love the design.

Except a small issue - the deck I opened is by modern cut, my thumb drag down from the back of the deck to the face of the deck much smoother than the opposite way.
Does anyone with this deck got the same situation with me?

I think this is not the first case that USPCC cutting the deck wrongly.
I am a bit worry if the rest of the brick are all in modern cut.

USPC's production decks and most custom decks are all modern cut, with rare exceptions.

Production decks - USPC's own products - will usually be made on the web press, where the paper is printed and fed into the cutter in a continuous ribbon, and are usually modern-cut decks.

For custom decks, they're made on the sheet-fed press more often than not.  Sometimes the deck sheets will get flipped during cutting, I recently learned, due to occasional paper feed issues with the machinery - if the sheets aren't fitting in smoothly, a deck could come out traditionally cut by random chance, but it's not a common occurrence.  Normally, USPC will charge extra for traditional cut, if it's something you request.  According to one deck producer I spoke with, he was discouraged from using traditional cut - they told him that the cuts aren't as clean so the card edges aren't as smooth.  To me, that sounds like someone at USPC didn't want to make traditionally-cut decks and made some excuse up, but I could be wrong.

Casino decks are usually traditionally cut at the casino's request.  Oddly enough, their decks never seem to have this "rough cut" issue.  I have no idea if they're made on the web press or not, but I'm inclined to think no, despite the volume of decks made.  I've been told that registration isn't as accurate on the web press and casinos are sticklers about accurate registration - I'd be shocked if there weren't government-issued regulations covering the topic.

[ksi]

My brick arrived last week.
But I just have time to unbox 1 and try it on hands these few days.
The stock is great, the finish is great, everything is great and I love the design.

Except a small issue - the deck I opened is by modern cut, my thumb drag down from the back of the deck to the face of the deck much smoother than the opposite way.
Does anyone with this deck got the same situation with me?

I think this is not the first case that USPCC cutting the deck wrongly.
I am a bit worry if the rest of the brick are all in modern cut.

USPC's production decks and most custom decks are all modern cut, with rare exceptions.

Production decks - USPC's own products - will usually be made on the web press, where the paper is printed and fed into the cutter in a continuous ribbon, and are usually modern-cut decks.

For custom decks, they're made on the sheet-fed press more often than not.  Sometimes the deck sheets will get flipped during cutting, I recently learned, due to occasional paper feed issues with the machinery - if the sheets aren't fitting in smoothly, a deck could come out traditionally cut by random chance, but it's not a common occurrence.  Normally, USPC will charge extra for traditional cut, if it's something you request.  According to one deck producer I spoke with, he was discouraged from using traditional cut - they told him that the cuts aren't as clean so the card edges aren't as smooth.  To me, that sounds like someone at USPC didn't want to make traditionally-cut decks and made some excuse up, but I could be wrong.

Casino decks are usually traditionally cut at the casino's request.  Oddly enough, their decks never seem to have this "rough cut" issue.  I have no idea if they're made on the web press or not, but I'm inclined to think no, despite the volume of decks made.  I've been told that registration isn't as accurate on the web press and casinos are sticklers about accurate registration - I'd be shocked if there weren't government-issued regulations covering the topic.

Yes I've heard that USPCC normally prefer customers to choose modern cut.  They are quite reluctant to offer traditionally cut.  Maybe the production line is already over-capicity? Maybe they want to keep a prestige image to their casino grade products?  Or maybe they are simply too lazy to do so.  Who knows...

Yes traditional cut is rare.  But there still few choices in the market.  At least most (if not all) of the Bee 1902 Erdnase series by Conjuring Arts are done in traditionally cut.  Customer still can request USPCC to cut traditionally (maybe with a premium paid). 

I was extremely excited when I saw the description posted by Kevin in post #1 of this thread, that the HoneyBee is cut traditionally on Bee stock.  And without second thought I grabbed a brick upon release.   I won't say it is Penguin Magic's problem for just 1 deck I opened was in modern cut.  Because I believe Penguin Magic did made their request (and probably did paid the premium for USPCC to do so).  Also it is pretty sure that Penguin Magic won't be allowing to send a staff to USPCC and monitor the whole production progress.

In many aspects the HoneyBee deck has very high quality.  Both the stock, the finish, the design... and the price is not that expensive when comparing with those Kickstater works.  What a pity the first deck I opened is not in traditional cut.  I can just hope that some of the rest of my brick is cut traditionally.

[Reylek]

Thanks for the feedback!

They Honeybees were ordered with Traditional Cut, and while I've only opened and handled a couple of decks personally, I found them to definitely be traditional - they actually faro well for me both face-down and face-up.

My guess is that the deck you opened may have had that particular sheet flipped (or un-flipped), but the majority of the run should all be traditionally cut.

As always, you can feel free to contact our customer service line via the website (Live chat, email, or phone) and they'll be happy to assist!

[ksi]

Thanks for the feedback!

They Honeybees were ordered with Traditional Cut, and while I've only opened and handled a couple of decks personally, I found them to definitely be traditional - they actually faro well for me both face-down and face-up.

My guess is that the deck you opened may have had that particular sheet flipped (or un-flipped), but the majority of the run should all be traditionally cut.

As always, you can feel free to contact our customer service line via the website (Live chat, email, or phone) and they'll be happy to assist!

Hi Kevin,

I know the customer service of Penguin Magic is great.  But this time I don't think I should bother them with this issue.  All Honeybees had gone (in 2 days after it launched).  Even though you might have reserved a little portion for self use, it is not worth to replace - the shipping cost is double or triple the cost of the deck itself.

You aware of this issue, and that's enough.  Just let it pass.  I believe Penguin Magic will continue to produce great decks in the future.  Maybe next time it is worth to get a bit more sample to test check the products. 

Luckily the cut edge is quite smooth, so I have no problem when doing faro from either way.

On a separate thing - heard that the White Tally is coming soon.  Would there be an option to order a mix brick? (6 circle, 6 fan).

[Don Boyer]

Yes I've heard that USPCC normally prefer customers to choose modern cut.  They are quite reluctant to offer traditionally cut.  Maybe the production line is already over-capicity? Maybe they want to keep a prestige image to their casino grade products?  Or maybe they are simply too lazy to do so.  Who knows...

Yes traditional cut is rare.  But there still few choices in the market.  At least most (if not all) of the Bee 1902 Erdnase series by Conjuring Arts are done in traditionally cut.  Customer still can request USPCC to cut traditionally (maybe with a premium paid).

Modern cut was developed because, according to the information I've heard, it eliminates the added step of flipping the sheet before placing it in the cutter, thus the process is more efficient.

The cut issue really only matters when a deck is fresh out of the box.  Once they've been broken in, all decks will faro/weave either way, though their "native cut" way is usually a little easier and smoother.

Thanks for the feedback!

They Honeybees were ordered with Traditional Cut, and while I've only opened and handled a couple of decks personally, I found them to definitely be traditional - they actually faro well for me both face-down and face-up.

My guess is that the deck you opened may have had that particular sheet flipped (or un-flipped), but the majority of the run should all be traditionally cut.

As always, you can feel free to contact our customer service line via the website (Live chat, email, or phone) and they'll be happy to assist!

The quick intervention is greatly appreciated!  On behalf of the rest of the forum, I say thanks.  It's nice to know that companies like Penguin are listening, even when we're only talking on the forum and not on their own website.