lost labor of love rant

General Discussion
1

…hello,

we are losing the path…

 

I have many things to say, I do not know where to start, so I would write few points:

 

-First, this is not a machine vs man debate is more ethics and the way to deal with life thingy than businessmen stuff.

The other day I just found on the internet a short clip about McTavish and his big factory.

All as usual, machine that shapes the boards, ghost finishers, crew to paint, glass and finish. The point that pissed me off  is that the man himself put his pencil signature and dedicated the shape to a customer!(yes, I know about that, but this time I perceived it like a cheeky
thing; possibly because if “you do not see you do not believe” or you
forget about it…like AIDS)

So what happen when a well know and respected surfer/designer like McTavish does that.

In the last 15 years I have been checking this but on more commercial shapers or production shapers; some have the decency to got a sticker with the signature not a pencil one onto the foam.

Why these shapers still think they are important if they do nothing. We should PROVE now and in daily basis that we have a value not only living as a revival thing.

Im not bashing McTavish in particular, He seems one more in the big picture.

Also Im think that right now the CREW is way more important than these type of shapers.

 

What happen when the newbies, shapers and surfers born and rise thinking that this is the way to go, that do not even imagine that there are other way, more man to man not with the mega corp style (in an impromptu way in many cases).

 I m not a hippie, a hipster or a guy who lives in the past (I do not accept in this situation a phrase like “time to move on” “times has changed”, etc)

Man, I m not even too old to be grumpy enough ha ha.

 

-Also, I´m not talking about that there are lots of backyarders around the world trying out and can be a solution; because in my opinion, no solution in that way. Why not? Because the main arm of the industry demonstrated the other way around; think on the gear (wetsuits, leashes, cloth) all crap, every year that pass the gear is more bad than previous year, but ALL we have tied hands in that situations. Even the tiny ones that make wetsuits and leashes have tied hands.

It s more in the ethics and conscience the way to go. Ok, the world, the societies that we building right now are full of bad attitudes and yes, we are animals, sophisticated ones, but animals, so the bigger and stronger sooner or later smash the others, but the education (something that we are missing big time) was and is a solution. You know, SPEND more time with the kids, customers, have better surf shops owners (!!!) and clerks that know what s selling and long etc.

 

This theme has many edges, I tried to write these few in a simpler way, hope you understand my point.

 

thanks

 

2

There could be a glass-half-full perspective, too.    I mean, you’d be even more disappointed if it was one of the scrubbers who signed his name for him, especially if the scrubber didn’t even surf.    If you know what I mean.  

3

Interesting.

If boards were art, they would be like lithographs.  Numbered and limited.  A board would have a hand written note by the signature - #40 of 1000 for example.

Market your boards as custom for a named rider, and generic for those who buy off the shelf.  It is all marketing.  Channel Islands sells more because they advertise enough to make people think that their generic copy is somehow special.

The market has spoken.  The masses are happy with lesser goods.  The well informed will pay for the benefit. 

I have never seen a generic board labeled as "This Board is made for a 150 pound surfer riding head high Malibu.  This board is made for a 175 pound surfer riding double over head Rincon.  It always too general.  “This board is a groveler” 

I was in Kennedy surfboards in the valley a while back.  The salesman was selling to a couple of beginners, really helping them pick out a board.  And guess what. He made the sale!  He listend to them, where they wanted to surf, he sized them up, and made the match.

CNC scrubbers will never end.  We have to sell our customers as why this one special board is the one they need.

4

I dunno, he's probably hand shaped that many boards he know what works for him??. Its a tool like the planer i guess. If the guy using it knows what he's doing he'll do a great job?? Interesting anyway. IT's not like he's a backyarder who's ordering 500 6'2'' shortboards from china is it?? Many ways to look at it i suppose.

5

I agree with you Reverb. I'm very glad you made the statement that "the CREW is way more important than these type(s) sic. of shapers." It is the real trench hogs working in the pits that are to recognised. Without them, what have you got? A name....but no product. There are thousands of them and a few have been publicly lauded such as Jim Phillips, Terry Martin et. al. In my mind our own Mr. Thrailkill is one of them. For all his detractors, the GRat has been stressing this message as well and rightfully so.

    Everysurfer, you have dovetailed nicely with the mention of Glen Kennedy and his shop. He's an unsung hero as a shaper, surfer, and shop owner. Most likely the "salesman" you refered to is Glen's son. The shop is still a real deal surf shop and not a clothes store. It is stocked with boards shaped by Glen. All this AND in the "Valley". For over forty years! Walk in and you are welcomed like an old friend and if he knows you personally, odds are he'll give you a beer and share his smoked fish with you. Like his shop, Glen is the real deal and a true trench hog. I think I'll raise one for the real workers. Cheers.

6

…all you know that societies change; now we are living in the change, one that we do not know exactly what will be occur; so, the new guys, in this case, trying to start with shaping or building surfboards, what they will perceive about it? I mean, look the Facebook thingy, there are people who only know that as a friendship, never had the real experience…ok real things turn in frustration sometimes, but heck we are beings not virtual stuff (…¿?)

 

How in the world I would discuss with a “new” shaper (finisher) if he do not understand or even know the basics? …the last time he checked, he saw one of these great or big shapers do nothing than business…

Seriously, this is a real problem in a virtual world

7

i agree and disagree. To play the devil’s advocate, if it’s his design and concept getting cut on the machine, and he runs his eye over the board for final quality control before glassing, than I am fine with his signature on the board. At least it means he has seen the board in the flesh before it’s on the shelf.