Ok so here’s the deal. I have shaped the staggering number of 1 board. (still haven’t finished glassing it). A month ago before I started shaping my board I was looking at some new boards at a local shop. I really liked the shape and was seriously considering putting down a deposit on one. BUT THEN I shaped my board and now I think to myself: ‘why would I spend $500.00 for a new board when I could shape it myself for 1/2 that’? So I was wondering, do those of you who shape ever buy boards from others?
I always bought boards as I was shaping. Makes you understand State of the Art, know what the standards are, and gives you time to make your boards without rushing.
Best feeling is buying a really good board, or making your own, then succeeding to make a BETTER one, a board just to your specs, without loosing much performance in the process.
Looks I never cared for, so at least the polishing/finishing aspect was never more forte.
However, some peeps are into looks, brand names, and imagery, so they can choose the path that works for them.
I always buy boards and plan to continue to do so forwever!
I try to make a few boards for friends, relatives, customers, locals, kids, etc., charge a few bucks over my cost and use the money to pay for part or all of a new board.
I ride the new board for a while, trace it, photograph it, and sell it (in perfect condition, ideally). Then I put that money right back into my own boards.
This system has been working and my boards have improved at an exponential rate, especially in subtle areas like fin placement.
the feeling you get after riding a board that you have made is indiscribable. i have yet to buy a board from anyone else in a few years, but i guess everyone is different. i still have an old longboard that i bought and i still enjoy riding it but theres something special about building your own especially the first.
i like to borrow friends boards that they have bought ride them and see what i like ro do not. and its always nice to have that extra 150 bucks or so.
I guess for me it’s kind of a challenge to see if I could make what others are making. But then there is someone like Rich Harbour who’s boards I admire so much. I wouldn’t even presume to be able to duplicate/replace someone like him, at least not until I’ve got my 40+ years and 25,000+ boards shaped!
I shape boards and buy some as well the boards I shape , around 20 a year are for customers as well as me ,I keep a stick till it is dinged then unload it .the only other shapers board I have at the moment is an outer island but will get a wayne lynch and probably a sam egan before to long. maybe a parmenter stub vector who knows. It is my way of stealing ideas moraly.
I stopped buying boards 14 years ago. There’s somthing about surfing your own board. Coming up with your own outline and rocker. Doing your own glass layup. Nothing like it.Gordon
I buy an occasional board. After working a full time job (not as a shaper) I am sometimes too tired to shape one. If I am going on a trip, and hae to set up my shaping area…sometimes I say forget it…I’ll just go buy a board.
But it is true. There is nothing like completing a surfboard from start to finish. THe feeling of antisipation to see how it will work on the first wave…Nothing like it.
I love shaping my own boards and love riding the boards I’ve shaped. I’ve shaped many boards - but I am no master shaper. Some of the boards I own are boards that I would have a TOUGH TOUGH time replicating. Just food for thought.
Aloha
Bryan
I have not bought someone elses board since I shaped my own 2 1/2 years ago. I get a huge kick from surfing a board I made myself. Maybe I will by others boards in the future. But, not now. I have several nice boards, better that mine for sure, that I don’t ride because I didn’t shape them. I don’t know. I always admired guys who built their own boards and rode them never thinking that I could build one,too. I found out I could. I wish I had started when I was young. I encourage people to give it a try. Especially, the young kids who dream of being a pro or whatever and college or school isn’t for them. You want to stay close to the lifestyle? You need a skill besides a rad back hand. Learn to build boards. What are yah going to do? Sell wax behind the counter at some surf shop?
After I shaped my first board, I never bought another one.
IF i want to try someone eles’s shape…I borrow a friends board.
Drew