Curiosity, Appeal of TRKs? (1 Viewer)

[EastCoastCali]

Curiosity just because I simply don’t know much about them and personally don’t care for the look as much as TH&Cs or similar, what’s the big deal about TRKs? I assume there’s a history there that makes them more of a big deal than how I rank them. I just want to know more about them in general. Enlighten my rookie ass.

 

[doublebooyah85]

Leaded, good mold, casinos used them etc.

 

[raynmanas]

i owned a few sets of TRKs back in the day when they still existed and would sell to the public with a simple phone call - they are awesome for the history, old school look, and the reasons @doublebooyah85 mentioned above. however, i will say the (small crown) diameter always bothered me - that mold just feels a bit too small to me.

that said, i wish i never sold any of mine.

 

[EastCoastCali]

Are they still “39mm” just a smidge smaller? Or are they less?

 

[EastCoastCali]

I also didn’t know they were leaded, interesting.

 

[Okku]

I also didn’t know they were leaded, interesting.

Not all are leaded but when they are they’re very heavy

 

[BNads86]

Not all are leaded but when they are they’re very heavy

 

[upNdown]

Leaded inlaid TRK small crowns have an amazing feel - there's nothing like it. I'm not willig to say they feel better than leaded THCs, but they might. And since they're THAT good and different, they're special.

 

[HughDrackman]

Leaded inlaid TRK small crowns have an amazing feel - there's nothing like it. I'm not willig to say they feel better than leaded THCs, but they might. And since they're THAT good and different, they're special.

Agree. I’ll take leaded TRKs over THCs any day. It still stings that I had to sell my Starlite set, but desperate times and all that.

 

[FDLmold]

Curiosity just because I simply don’t know much about them and personally don’t care for the look as much as TH&Cs or similar, what’s the big deal about TRKs? I assume there’s a history there that makes them more of a big deal than how I rank them. I just want to know more about them in general. Enlighten my rookie ass.

They are one of the two manufacturers ever that made leaded buttery-smooth chips in amazing colors. To most, the inlaid and hot-stamped versions of those chips are the greatest ever made, it’s not even close, and they will never be made again.

 

[KHarp1]

Feel, color, wear. I wish I would have bought them back in the CT days. Their primary colors are the benchmark, in my opinion. Super saturated, deep colors.

 

[UniLover]

Won't know til you try!

https://www.pokerchipforum.com/threads/trk-chips-mostly-leaded.123366/

 

[raynmanas]

Are they still “39mm” just a smidge smaller? Or are they less?

without having the motivation to measure, i'd put them at a solid 38.5.

 

[Pinkdan]

@Lil Tuna

 

[allforcharity]

I prefer LCrown TRK over SCrown. Luckily CPC has acquired both molds since TRK stopped operating.

 

[RocAFella1]

I prefer LCrown TRK over SCrown. Luckily CPC has acquired both molds since TRK stopped operating.

If only they could bring lead back…

 

[allforcharity]

If only they could bring lead back…

Unfortunately, not only has that shipped sailed, it has been torpedoed and sunk.

 

[UniLover]

If only they could bring lead back…

My understanding is that none of the large crown was ever leaded? Only small crown.

 

[Okku]

My understanding is that none of the large crown was ever leaded? Only small crown.

Correct, I don’t think I’ve felt a LgCrown chip that was leaded or at least can’t think of any that were/felt like it

 

[Lil Tuna]

Leaded inlaid TRK small crowns have an amazing feel - there's nothing like it.

And since they're THAT good and different, they're special.

THIS ^

They are one of the two manufacturers ever that made leaded buttery-smooth chips in amazing colors. To most, the inlaid and hot-stamped versions of those chips are the greatest ever made, it’s not even close, and they will never be made again.

THIS ^

I’ll take leaded TRKs over THCs any day.

AND THIS ^

BUT MOSTLY THIS v

For myself the allure is you’re holding history in the palm of your hand. If the chips could speak, what kinds of stories could they tell?
I believe in perfection being accidental and non intentional. If there were ever “perfect” chips produced, TRK made those chips on a regular basis in their heyday.

I’m also one who likes making my own path in life. If you really want to BLAZE your own trail in this hobby, spend 10 years putting a classic set of casino TRKs together and tell me afterward how great a set of NAGB THC are .

Don’t get me wrong, there are some awesome and classic THC sets out there, I splashed pots with a set of Badlands Casino THCs at the most recent meet up I attended. Incredible chips and I’d own a set myself if they were easy to come by.

It’s really all about your personal journey in this hobby. Figuring out your likes and dislikes, can’t say there’s a right or a wrong direction to go.
But if you are up for a REAL challenge and you prefer a path that’s more unique and less what everyone else does……….start yourself a TRK journey, you’ll find out for sure what you like and dislike in chipping.

All the best!

 

[calfdemon]

My understanding is that none of the large crown was ever leaded? Only small crown.

Nope, this chip is definitely leaded and they are heavy!

And I believe the chips from The Palms are leaded too... I'll have to pull them out and weigh them, but pretty sure they are also. Not as heavy as the Cavita chips, but still heavier than most Lcrown chips.

 

[UniLover]

Nope, this chip is definitely leaded and they are heavy!

View attachment 1382585

And I believe the chips from The Palms are leaded too... I'll have to pull them out and weigh them, but pretty sure they are also. Not as heavy as the Cavita chips, but still heavier than most Lcrown chips.

View attachment 1382586

@Okku

 

[doublebooyah85]

THIS ^

THIS ^

AND THIS ^

BUT MOSTLY THIS v
View attachment 1382561View attachment 1382560
View attachment 1382559

For myself the allure is you’re holding history in the palm of your hand. If the chips could speak, what kinds of stories could they tell?
I believe in perfection being accidental and non intentional. If there were ever “perfect” chips produced, TRK made those chips on a regular basis in their heyday.

I’m also one who likes making my own path in life. If you really want to BLAZE your own trail in this hobby, spend 10 years putting a classic set of casino TRKs together and tell me afterward how great a set of NAGB THC are .

Don’t get me wrong, there are some awesome and classic THC sets out there, I splashed pots with a set of Badlands Casino THCs at the most recent meet up I attended. Incredible chips and I’d own a set myself if they were easy to come by.

It’s really all about your personal journey in this hobby. Figuring out your likes and dislikes, can’t say there’s a right or a wrong direction to go.
But if you are up for a REAL challenge and you prefer a path that’s more unique and less what everyone else does……….start yourself a TRK journey, you’ll find out for sure what you like and dislike in chipping.

All the best!

Haha when you talk TRK you don’t always have to include NAGB lol damn lead heads! lol

Love the collection btw. Special!

 

[calfdemon]

@Okku

I will defer to Oscar as he would know best, but that Cavita chip is a brick. I'll try and post some weights later if I can.

 

[UniLover]

Correct, I don’t think I’ve felt a LgCrown chip that was leaded or at least can’t think of any that were/felt like it

I will defer to Oscar as he would know best, but that Cavita chip is a brick. I'll try and post some weights later if I can.

That'd be super cool!

 

[Lil Tuna]

Haha when you talk TRK you don’t always have to include NAGB lol damn lead heads! lol

Love the collection btw. Special!

There is a clear and distinct contrast between the two and I enjoy poking the bear! Always love the pushback @doublebooyah85.

 

[calfdemon]

That'd be super cool!

Ok, so the Palms chips are not leaded and are under 8g each. However, the Cavita chips are still right around 10g each and these ones have been milled. I am still looking for some non-milled versions but they were close to 11g each in original form. I thought I still had some non-milled singles, but not having any luck finding them.

 

[liftapint]

Colors, feel, history.

 

[liftapint]

Also, cool that the chip face is flat, no recess.

 

[BarrieJ3]

If trks were in mass production today and lead was safe/common, then scarce unleaded THCs would take their spot.

It’s simply astounding how they are such an extremely better product and rarer, yet for the most part the price point doesn’t support that idea of their superiority by order of magnitude.

Strange that a market of the most discerning collectors would be off.

Or, more likely, the answer is it’s all personal preference, the chips are super cool and unique and have their own values as stated above. The “big deal” is more so just loud voices that copy and paste their same comments over and over.

Take out the five largest TRK stans and they’d still be amazing chips - but no one would be asking “what’s the big deal”.

(now sell me a trk set so I can join them)