No B.S. Summary
Crooked Blanks creates hollow wood surfboard blanks that are constructed so any shaper can use the same tools and process they would on a foam blank.
The Good
- An exciting new concept that will allow any shaper the ability to create custom wooden boards of their choice using traditional techniques.
The Not So Good
- I've got nothing...I've seen these up close and personal and they really are amazing! Mark is really on to something!!!
No B.S. Review
Last year I was lucky enough to take part in a Hollow Wood Surfboard (HWS) building class hosted byMark Cruickshank and Rich Blundell.
I took more away from that class than any that I took in high school or college!
I made an amazing board and some great friends in the process but I also picked up a nasty little addiction to wooden surfboards that I haven’t been able to shake since!!!
We ended up hitting it off and found that we shared a common passion for sawdust and boards. After the class wrapped up Mark and I stayed in touch and he recently told me that he was working on something that he was super excited about and unlike anything else on the market today.
I was chomping at the bit to find out what he has up his sleeve and I finally got the call that he was ready to reveal. What he has created truly is amazing and it goes to show that there is still so much more to discover about the surfboard and related construction processes. During the class, Mark’s wood working skills, experience, and techniques stood out from the rest of the pack and I was envious of his craftsmanship and deep understanding of board design and his creative ideas around construction.
The traditional HWS construction methods are great and I love all of my boards.
My favorite part about this new concept is that the highly sustainable wood surfboard blanks are completely customizable and one-off. Now any local/professional shaper can make a wood surfboard suited for local
conditions or for any individual surfer's abilities. However, these classical techniques are somewhat limiting and create challenges for more complex designs.
Mark’s goal has been to create hollow wood surfboard blanks that are constructed so any shaper can use the same tools and process they would on a foam blank. Built from sustainable Paulownia wood, Mark is taking
advantage of the material’s incredible natural weight to strength ratio, flex properties, and rot/water resistant attributes. Now having built a few boards out of Paulownia myself, I confidently endorse it’s use to any board builder or craftsman/woman…it’s just amazing stuff!
Now ready to take his proof of concept to the next level, Mark has started a Kickstarter project to help fund this next evolution in sustainable wooden board design and construction.
You are no longer restricted to the few boards shapes offered in kits or by retailers. It is a whole new level of custom!!!
Check out Mark’s Kickstarter Program here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/110105740/wood-surfboard-professionally-shaped-sustainable-s.
Aside from being some of the most beautiful surfboards ever, these boards are built to last a lifetime and offer endless hours of stoke.
I’m certainly not one to tell people how to spend their money, but if you have any extra dough to help fund this project I can tell you first hand that it is going to a great cause.
Support like that is what is going to keep the progression of this sport and craft going while keeping the creative spirit and “Garage Shaper” alive in all of us.
The Dailystoke family wishes Mark the best and as always, we urge you to tell a friend …
User Rating
(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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Specs
- Key Points:
1. The hollow wood surfboard blanks are constructed so a shaper can use the same tools and process they would on a foam blank.
2. The highly sustainable wood surfboard blanks are complete customizable. The local professional shaper can make the wood surfboard for the local conditions and the surfer's ability.
3. Surfboards will last a lifetime, no pressure dents.
4. Compatible with any fin system or glass-ons.
5. Built from Paulownia wood. Highly sustainable wood that is lightweight and strong. Perfect for surfboards.
