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PRODUCT
by Jake Phelps
PATROL
I just got through reading my
mail-it took almost two hours. I am
very impressed by the letters I have
received. You all have good ideas
and suggestions on how to make this
column better and I appreciate that
It is important for you to keep in touch
with me so that Product Patrol can
keep in touch with you. Lately, there
have been slim pickin's around here
merchandise-wise, but hopefully the
flow will increase with Christmas
season upon us. Anyway, the pro-
ducts in this month's column are
worth checking into.
It seems that every year I get the
new A/Losi deck, and this year is no
exception. This model is quite an im-
provement from the previous edition.
Its deep concave and radically up-
turned nose make it most definitely
the shape of things to come. Allen
Losi Skates produces a quality pro-
duct. It measures 31% by 10%"
with 4" of nose, 7" of tail and a
healthy 9.9" at the back truck. While
most companies are opting for the
tri-tail design, the Losi has more of
a hook tail with an extra kick at the
last inch. You should look at this deck
when you are shopping for a larger
than average ramp/pool plank. It
might also occur to you that, in gene-
ral, ramp/pool boards are getting big-
ger. That means more wood for your
money-how can you go wrong?
Allen Losi Skates, PO Box 23411,
Golden Springs, Suite 294, Diamond
Bar CA 91765
Not long ago, I said that Uncle
Wiggly went out of business. Well,
I take it all back. The new Brad Smith
2 arrived recently, and guess who
makes it? Uncle Wiggly. As I have
stated before in this column, Uncle
Wiggly was one of the pioneers of
epoxy/glass laminated decks. These
decks utilize the strength of wood
and the flexibility of fiberglass to
make the ultimate combination. The
Brad Smith 2 has what is called the
Series Vill concave, which features
a 15%30° tail and 498%11° semi-
eliptical body concave. It also
features a 4°7° flip nose. The deck
measures 31½" long by 10% wide
with the almost-standard 4" nose and
7 tail. It is 84" at the snap zone-
more than enough. This deck is quite
strong and the warranty states, "We'll
take responsibility for our mistakes
if you'll be responsible for yours,"
which is only reasonable in these
days of high-impact riders. Write
UWS., 8670 Miramar Road, Suite M
San Diego, CA 92126.
Next, I checked out the new
Graham McEarchran model from
Death Box Skates. I had never heard
of this company before, but I'm
always open to new stuff. While the
deck is made in the United States,
D.B.S. is one of the few companies
not based here. Their headquarters
are in England, which allows them
to tap the vast European market. As
illustrated by the first two decks in this
column, concave is one of the make-
or-break factors in a company's pro-
duct. D.B.S. needs some work in this
department, but overall, the packag-
ing is good (graphics, color, etc.). The
deck doesn't have much concave or
tail, but, hey, they're
trying so why not
check 'em out?
Mac's deal mea
sures 3034
by 10%"
with 32"
of nose, a
6% tail and not a tad
under 8" at the back
truck. I don't want to
sound down on this
deck, so I'll just state
that if they keep at
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it, they'll get it right
soon. Death Box
Skates, Dee See
Supplies,
Burliegh Piece,
Buckingham.
Bucks MK187BB
England.
It has been over
two years since
Powell came out
with Crossbones,
their last addition
to the skateboard
wheel market.
Now they have re-
leased the Mini-Rat
Powell has always
been known for their
smooth, fast, even
wearing wheel for-
mula and these little
rodents are no ex-
ception. They're
bound to be popular.
While most com-
panies are moving
toward the bigger
wheel, Powell seems
to be going the other
way. Small wheels
are good for some
things like shorter riser
UNCLE WIGGLEY SLAY
E WIGGLEY SKATEROA
UNCLE WIGGLE
CLE WIGGLEY
pads: and looser
trucks. Just remember
that the smaller the
wheel, the less urethane you
get, so they wear out faster. The
95's I rode felt a little on the soft
side. Ride your friend's to find out
which wheel is best for you. Powell
Peralta, 501 E. Guiterrez Street, Santa
Barbara, CA 93103.
There is a new glove on the market
and it deserves a hand. While most
gloves tend to wear out as soon
as they are broken in, these
puppies are double stitched
and reinforced with double
leather palm pads. Clawz is
the name and hand protec-
tion is their aim. The leather
lasts and the design includes
a double wrist strap for add-
ed support. I don't know the
retail price, but you can write
ALLEN LOSE SKATES
to Clawz ob The Harbinger Group
1740 Main St., St. Helena, CA 94574.
My final word goes to those who
write and ask me to review particular
products (shoes, trucks, etc.). I don't
go out and buy the stuff; the com-
panies send it to the mag, so I am
powerless over the selection of
equipment. Maybe you should write
to the companies and tell them to
send in their stuff. Maybe companies
should send more products.
Thanks for being honest with me.
Send anything and everything to
Jake, at Product Patrol, THRASHER
PO Box 884570, San Francisco, CA
94188-4570. I love to read.
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