PRODUCT PATROL
The line has been drawn. Companies who make boards are now in two categories: new manufacturers who make thin, light decks and
the old standards whose reputations were built on making heavier, long-lasting tops. The metamorphosis is happening. Decks that
can't take more than two weeks of hard riding are now most popular. Fact is, the market wants disposable products. On a modern
street cue, the deck and the wheels are quickly thrashed and old trucks are moved to a new set-up. I predict trucks will be redesigned
in the future to keep up with this market trend. The companies who reaped the cash in the mid-eighties are paying for it in the nineties.
These corporate behemoths are all on the edge of the abyss, and don't be surprised when they drop like flies.
Three years ago products were varied and reviews were valid and interesting. Now, when all the decks and wheels look the same, who
cares? If someone wants a new shape, they copy somebody else. Never before has the market been so like a herd of cattle, going from
CHRIS SENN
Power
30 S. La Patra Lang
Goleta, CA 93117
Basic rounded shape
with the same nose
and tail. It looks a lot
like last month's
Frazier-simple with a
ittle bit more concave
than most. A strong
top with a killer cop
theme graphic on the
top and bottom
32.25 x 9.25 0.75 se 6.125 AL. 13.875 WEELSASE
one idea to the next. Plastic bottoms,
45mm wheels and flat decks-so what?
Every company has jumped on the band-
wagon, but they will tell you theirs is
different or they were the first.
I realize a lot of you read the column like
a
trip to a skate shop, but the bottom line
is, looks can be deceiving, so shop
around. Later. Jake Phelps, c/o Thrasher
Magazine, 1303 Underwood Aveue, San
Francisco, CA 94124.
JOE JOHNSON
Shine, 1856 Conte
Amanto Oceanside
CA 92057
Joe Johnson and
Kevin Staab have
formed their own com
pany called Shine
They make bigger
boards for bigger
skaters. With the
market so "street"
oriented, most shops
won't carry 'vert
decks, but ask around
or write to them. Also
available are the
Staab and Byrd
models. They see it
this way: more for
your money, honey.
33.59875,7 NOSE 65 TL, 15" WELBASE
agah
the
president
went to
Japan
to talk
cars
and all
he got
was
gas.
HOSOI "OIL ON WOOD"
Mik Skate Goods
16787 Beach Blvd
Suite 495 Huntington
Beach, CA 92647
This is Christian's
best deck yet-thin
and light. A good
street slab, but I rode
it everywhere and
found it comfortable.
durable, lightweight
and responsive. The
graphics are by the
Gonz himself. Look for
the Chatman model
and Mik wheels in
stores soon.
$28.875, 68125 NOM, 6.25 TAL, 14" WEB
DBS PADS
Doctor Bonesavers, PO Box 1867, Pompano
Beach FL 33061.
A high quality product that is comfortable as well as func-
tional. The cool thing about the knee pad was the track in
the cap. When you do a kneeside, the track guides you
into a smooth, even glide. They don't have recaps and
the strapping system needs some work, but overall I
found the pads to be well made and durable. The knees
cost about sixty bucks and the elbows about forty
PITRE "GREEN OLIVE"
Alien Workshop, PO
Box 65, Xenia, OH
45385-0065
This slick bottom
board is similar to the
old White loe by DTS
real skateboards, fuel for the future.
and it rips. The graph-
ics are painted on the
plastic so it will even
tually wear out-not
like other designs that
you have to look at
forever. The board is a
Itte on the tesy side
but more than ride
able. Also look for the
new Dyrdek slick
bottom Phaser Guy
32.25925, 675 No. 6125 144, 13.875
20 THRASHES MACAONE
guerrero