[the3rd]

Since you know who's opinion doesn't really matter, I'll give you mine. I just posted in Gene's official announcement thread. I got mine today and they are nice. Definitely closer to a smooth blank than a textured. Getting very close to a Chipco, but not there yet. I am probably going to do a mini review.

Reviews take a while to get processed, here's a mini, mini review after only a few hours of ownership. The sheen on the edge is the same as the faces and blends perfectly. Both "corners" of the chip are now evenly beveled. On the old chips one corner had a sharper edge that took time to wear off. The new one, not so much. The corners are less beveled than a Chipco, though.

They are a little lighter. Averaging the low 9.8 grams as opposed to the old ones which averaged in the high 9.9 grams. Not enough to write home about.

Alignment and centering are superb.

My only complaint is the black is not as dark and pure as it used to be. This is probably something Gene can rectify with his printing equipment.