Perforation Chad Removal

I know this is going to be a naive question but...
I am not a stamp dealer of any sort, and I have often wondered why dealers tend to leave the little "floating chads" in place.
There are some along the top of this stamp:

Now, if it were me selling it, I'd take a little pointy thing (geometry compass) and snag it off. Who would know? And why keep the flimsy little things around?

I know a lot of you blog readers are dealers and can tell me the obvious answer to this naive question.

(Incidentally, some of the most beautiful engraving can be found on Canada's revenue stamps.)

If it were my stamp, I'd remove the hanging chads. I think it improves the looks of the stamp.

I also concur with your comment on the beauty of the engraving on Canadian revenue stamps, especially the King George V issues.

Dealers go through a lot of stamps and collections. Time is money. There seems to be little benefit for spending time to remove this versus risking accidentally pulling a perf while trying to separate chad.

Hey SAK
Leave it alone..I learned by my own mistake a year ago trying to remove it and torn the corner of one of my MINT P.E.I. stamps, trying to clean it up like you guys say....ME..I will never try that again..Still scanned the stamp for future references.

Robert

Unless you have "hands free" magnification, a steady hand, and a new scalpel or craft knife blade, I would say "let it be".

No chad before it's time.

Dealers would remove it to improve eye appeal, but also as a precaution. Those hanging chads can hook on the edge of the mount, causing unintended damage to the item.

If I can safely leave them on, I do - it is good evidence a stamp has not been reperfed.
Some collectors even prefer them.

I'll avoid the subject of how hanging chads can do other damage.

...and let's all remember nightmare of the 2000 Florida vote recount.

Terry

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/the-hanging-chads



Jim

When I see that it signals post office fresh - like it was just separated. Therefore, a good thing.

I leave them be. Part of the history of the stamp. A flimsy attachment that's managed to hang on for a hundred years or more in some cases. It seems a sin to remove it.

I agree with Steve123, leave it be. If you decide to sell it then the buyer can decide.

If you do want to remove the chads, a steady gentle hand will soon tell if the chad is willing to come away from the stamp without a struggle, Otherwise leave it be.