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P
by Jake Phelps
ET
PATROL
In an attempt to better serve the
readers of this column, I would like
to take the time to ask a few ques-
tions about what you would like to
see in Product Patrol. 1) Do you want
the details; i.e-nose, tail and
wheelbase measurements? 2) Do
you want to know the degree of con-
cave and structural data? and 3) Do
you want impact reports (e.g. "I drop-
ped this deck from three stories and
it didn't break.") Products other than
decks create more of a problem
because people ride their equipment
differently. Trucks and wheels vary so
much that comparing them would
only leave you in a fog. Anyway, I
think that the feedback I receive from
you will bring new ideas to this col-
umn. So please write to me with your
beefs, ideas and comments.
Reviewed this month are three
completely new shapes from three
popular skaters and a new longer
machine to measure up.
Two months ago I reviewed a new
Steve Rocco deck from Santa
Monica Airlines. I said it looked pret-
ty cheesy compared to a lot of other
boards on the market. Well, we've
gotten a lot of feedback disputing my
harsh review. Now it's time to check
out another SMA product, the new
Jesse Martinez model. I have seen.
Jesse ride a few times, and I know
he goes through these boards like
firewood. That doesn't mean you will.
Jesse's deck measures 30" long
with 3% of nose and 6% of tail.
The shape is good, featuring a solid
width tapering from the 10" wide
nose to a 9" wide tail, and hips over
the wheels for extra strength. The
pointed, upturned nose makes this
deck look more concave than
average, but it doesn't feel like that
when you ride it. I did find some con-
cave variance in the board that was
sent for review. However, S.M.A. sent
new Jesse and Rocco models just
before press time and we could see
marked improvement in the quality
of their products. Something to note
about S.M.A. is that they have two
different companies making their
stuff, so if you have problems with
either a Rocco or a Martinez model,
you must send it to S.M.A., not Santa
Cruz. Santa Cruz is only responsible
for the Natas model and will not be
able to replace a Rocco or Martinez.
Look for yourself and then decide.
Santa Monica Airlines, 4050 Spencer
Unit 1, Torrance, CA 90503.
The next platform on the block is
the Chris Miller by Schmitt Stix.
Whereas Chris' previous decks from
G&S had standard shapes (pointed
nose and rounded tail), his Schmitt
signature axe is an excellent com-
bination of materials and design. It
is 31" long by 10" wide, and widest
just after the front truck for best foot
placement. Most noticeable on the
board is its 3%" nose, which almost
looks like a kicktail at the front. A step
into the future from Chris Miller.
While the Miller is long and thin,
the Schmitt Stix Allen Midgette is
shorter and wider. When comparing
them you will see that they both have
blunt noses and smaller tail sections.
The concave on the Midgette is ta-
pered from nose to tail and has the
same foot well that I told you about
two months ago. This board is 30%"
long by 10% wide and has only
3% of nose. Vertical craftsmanship
to check before your next purchase.
Y'all should also check out the
new Chainsaw deck from Schmitt.
The length is one of a kind (33"). The
shape is a little funky-the edges are
serrated like a chainsaw blade-but
could prove to be functional when
cranking a low rotational Bertelman
slide with the long wheelbase. While
I wouldn't classify this as a
longboard, but having the extra few
inches really makes a difference for
some people.
SCHMITT STIX
Now let's take a look at wheels. As
you must already know, big wheels
are in. They are popular for several
reasons: more urethane for your
money; they make it easier to go over
coping and curbs; and this may
sound funny, but even though they
don't go faster than smaller wheels,
they cover more ground for the same
roll. What that means is that they will
last longer because they wear out
slower. Saw Blades by Schmitt Stix
come in 93A and 97A hardnesses
and are now available in 65mm
diameter. Saw Blades are fast and
smooth, slide well and have a high
quality shape and design (multi-
grooved sidewalls for the micro
edgers that so few of us do). Schmitt
Stix, 1711 Whittier Blvd., Costa Mesa,
CA 92627.
Do me a favor, okay? Look over
those questions at the beginning,
and let me know what you think. As
someone famous once said, "The
pen is mightier than the sword."" Love
ya. Jeke Phelps, c/o THRASHER
Magazine, PO Box 884570, San
Francisco, CA 94188-4570
109