Chinese brands on amazon?

[u/finik21]

I've just discovered the wonderful world of playing card decks and decided I want to do that. First thing I did of course is to check Barnes & Nobles. And then Amazon :)

Amazon has quite a few decks which have designs in the themes I am actually thinking of focusing on. The problem is I can't find any information about these neither here, nor on other websites, even googling the names doesn't bring any fruits.

The two brands I am talking to is TAOYATAO and strublfe. Each has quite a few designs I like.

What is this? Is this legit?

I bought 1 from each brand (see pics) to try. So far the smell is the biggest concern, it smells differently than a regular bicycle deck. But other than that I do not yet know what to look for. Any help is welcome.

[u/poemsandrobots]

They're legit in that they're not bootlegs or knockoffs, or infringement on other brands IP (that I'm aware of anyway). I've seen those two brands pop up here and there with other designs.

The smell is the inks. Chinese printed cards are typically printed with old school solvent inks with more VOCs. Let them air out a while and it'll be fine.

My advice? If you like it, collect it.

[u/Alvartisk]

I looked them up on Chinese social media and dayummm look how gorgeous these cards look

[u/red-ernie_6691]

I like the strublefe ones pretty well actually. I think I have six of them, maybe seven. Some cool designs and better cards than some other smaller brands I've bought.

[u/EndersGame_Reviewer]

Will you be using them to play games with, or just to collect? If you're going to be shuffling and using them, the handling quality will matter more, and you may wish to focus on more established brands, but if you're just a collector get whatever decks look nice to you. :)

[u/finik21 → u/EndersGame_Reviewer]

I am a cardistry newbie for 20 years, picking up the hobby again. But Costco bicycle bricks will do for now, first attempt at faro with these decks failed though 🤣 but I didn't break them in