If you’re an avid card player, chances are you’ve heard of Ultimate Guard Katana sleeves. They are a popular choice for protecting your decks, and for a good reason!

In this review, we’ll go over the features of Ultimate Guard’s Katana sleeve lineup and analyze how they compare to other card sleeves.

We rank sleeves based on five metrics: durability, shuffle feel, visibility, style, and value. Then we combine those rankings to create a final score out of five stars.

Read on to find out if Ultimate Guard Katana Sleeves are right for you!

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. We’ll get a small commission that helps support the site if you click through and buy any of the products listed. Cheers!

What are Ultimate Guard Katana Sleeves?

Ultimate Guard Katana Sleeves are a newer sleeve from the popular accessory maker and bring premium quality at a premium price. They are made from 100% polypropylene material that is both acid-free and PVC-free.

Many players call these sleeves their favorites thanks to a buttery smooth shuffle feel and incredible durability. Katanas offer protection against dust, dirt, and grime while creating a snug fit around your cards. They come in a variety of colors and sizes so you can create a unique look for your decks.

Ultimate Guard Katana Sleeve Colors

Ultimate Guard offers a wide range of vibrant colors to choose from when selecting your Katana sleeves. Depending on the color you choose, you can give your deck a classic look or add some extra flair with more unique designs.

The color lineup for Ultimate Guard’s Katana sleeves includes:

• Black (Get them here)
• Blue (Get them here)
• Green (Get them here)
• Orange (Get them here)
• Purple (Get them here)
• Red (Get them here)
• Clear (Get them here)
• Turquoise (Get them here)
• White (Get them here)
• Yellow (Get them here)

But the most exciting part? Regardless of which color you choose, all of the Katana sleeves are fully opaque. This means even light colors like white and yellow will hide the card back. This makes them ideal for tournament play when you might be running DFCs or MDFCs and need every card to look identical.

Ultimate Guard Katana vs. Other Card Sleeves

When comparing card sleeves like Ultimate Guard’s Katana series to other brands like Dragon Shield or KMC Hyper Mats, there are several key differences that should be noted. For instance, Dragon Shield offers thicker material which makes them slightly more rigid than the thinner Ultimate Guard sleeves but also makes them less flexible when shuffling your deck.

However, the durability of Katanas is unmatched. Check out The Prof’s stretch test here to see for yourself. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference as all three brands offer reliable protection for your cards without sacrificing style or function.

Ultimate Guard Katana Sleeve Review

With some of the basics out of the way, we’re ready to dive deeper into the specifics of Ultimate Guard’s Katana sleeves. We’ll rank them based on five key metrics to help you decide if you should buy them for your next deck.

Let’s get into our Ultimate Guard Katana sleeve review.

Durability

This is where Katanas shine. While not as thick as some other brands such as Dragon Shield’s offerings, Ultimate guard’s polypropylene material provides excellent protection against wear and tear without sacrificing flexibility when shuffling or handling your cards.

You’ll find it nearly impossible to destroy these sleeves. When you’re sleeving, shuffling, and playing, splitting along the seams or bending at the corners won’t be an issue. Once you sleeve a deck in Katanas, you won’t need to worry about doing it again unless you want to change the color.

Score: 5 out of 5

Shuffle Feel

Anyone who has shuffled a pack of Katanas knows that it is unlike anything else. These offer arguably the best shuffle feel of any sleeve. There is hardly any friction, catching, or slipping when you’re shuffling your deck.

Their matte back is ideal for preventing slipping while creating a silky smooth feel.

Score: 5 out of 5

Visibility

There isn’t much to complain about here. But we also don’t have much to get overly excited about. The front offers a clear view of your cards without creating too much glare. It also helps the colors pop.

While you don’t get the added benefit of the black interior that Dragon Shield Mattes offer, you won’t have much to complain about when looking at your cards inside Katanas. Certainly not enough to warrant taking away a star.

Score: 5 out of 5

Style

Our one complaint about Ultimate Guard Katana sleeves would be the colors. While there are currently 10 to choose from, they aren’t exciting. In fact, each color is pretty basic compared to Dragon Shield’s lineup of colors. We hope that Ultimate Guard continues adding new colors and styles to the Katana lineup as it is arguably its biggest shortcoming right now.

Still, the colors that are available are rich and vibrant. You’ll be happy to look at them as long as there is one you like.

Score: 4 out of 5

Value

At $13.99 for a pack of 100, Katanas don’t come cheap. They are certainly not a budget-friendly option like the TitanShield Sleeves we covered in our Guide to the Best Sleeves for MTG. They are comparable to other premium sleeves like Dragon Shield Mattes.

However, you are getting what you pay for. Katanas are well worth the price given their quality and durability. If you have a few extra dollars to spend, these sleeves are the way to go.

Score: 4 out of 5

Should I Buy Ultimate Guard Katana Sleeves?

If you’re looking for durable, premium protection for your cards, yes. Ultimate Guard Katanas are definitely worth considering. All things considered, we definitely recommend giving them a try!

Overall we give Ultimate Guard Katanas a strong 4.6 stars out of 5.

In Summary

If you’re looking for reliable card protection with plenty of colorful options, consider investing in Ultimate Guard’s Katana Sleeves. They provide great value by offering lasting durability, an incredible shuffle feel, and vibrant and opaque colors at an affordable price.

Pros:

• Fantastic durability
• Amazing shuffle feel
• No splitting, easy to double sleeve
• All colors are fully opaque for tournament play

Cons:

• Limited color selection
• Premium pricing

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