What Really Sells A Skateboard? Graphics, Shapes, Riders, Company?

[@ZForce151]

Once I realized the Riders don't ride the boards with their Graphics then I started looking for the Shape that works best for me and the Company that offers the best Quality

[@reup4023]

@The Sketchy Skater I'm a fan of some tech skaters (i.e. Stevie Williams and Josh Kalis) but they ride smaller size like 7.9 boards. Not everyone is comfortable rolling on that size, so them putting graphics on various sizes helps create exposure and sell boards. I've heard that even the board shapes some pros ride don't get produced for the public 🤷‍♂️ Would it be nice to have the exact spec board to try that pros get, of course, but if that was the only board they get their graphics on sales wouldn't go well, and not everyone may like that shape/specs. As mentioned, find a board shape that works with you and may it be a brand you have no issue supporting.

[@scozzbaggs9224]

They make the boards in different sizes. Why wouldn't you want that

[@HoriizoNxD]

Literally cause why ima want to rock Ur shit and u not even riding ur own graphic Really disappointing

[@TJV650]

I was super baked thinkin about how skateboards are like cell phones. They started out big and clunky, got super small for awhile, and now it’s back to bigger the better 😂😂🍔

[@jamessaxton359]

🤯🤯🤯 whoo dude ​@@TJV650

[@POPtheHOBO]

As a skateboard shop owner for 10 years now. This is the order over the year I've been in the biz that sold boards. #1. PRICE! I had to stop selling cheap USED decks because people would literally come to the shop just to buy them. The problem with that was. You can't keep stock on gently used boards! So the next best thing where BLANKS. #2. "POPULARITY". One of the reasons DGK does so well is because they're COOL. Even people that DON'T skate like there "Hip Hop", raw message and motto, brand and look. PRIMITIVE is starting to understand that too. But they are going about it a different way. (I'll tell ya how in a min.) #3. " The Pro". This is really kinda high on this list. But I only did it so I can talk about Primitive last. But if you factor in ALL the types of people that buy skateboards. Believe it or not. "SKATERS" make up a small part of it. (...well CORE skaters I mean.) You got, parents, grandparents, wives, girlfriends, aunt's/uncles and POSERS (my favorite!) These are the people that when they see Tony Hawk, Nyjah Huston, Ryan Shackles (when he was on MTV) name on a board. It's an EASY sale. #4. "GRAPHICS". I personally normally would have put this before the pros. Because honestly that's only one pro that's that popular to sell boards by just his name alone. And that's the birdman Tony Hawk. But back to that thing I was saying about PRIMITIVE skateboards. If you notice that as of lately they have been doing a lot of collaborations with companies in pop culture like marvel comics and anime shows and characters like Dragon Ball. And out of all the skateboard companies that did collaborations with other companies. Primitive skateboard is the only one that I've seen be the successful with it. And mainly I think it's because of they understood that the popularity of anime was or is King at the moment. And like I said before once you can get people that are not even skaters coming in buying your product just because they like it and all they can relate to it. That really helps the sales. And in my personal opinion I think that's one of the reasons why criminal is able to jack up the price on what they sell their boards for. #5. "SHAPE/SIZE" I almost left this off because I kinda feel it falls in the "popularity" category. Because only skaters that are at a skill level of intermediate or higher come in and ask for a specific shape or size deck. And this includes longboarders, people that ride cruisers, and even penny boards. Or people that like those big "old school" fishtail boards. But hey, that's just my personal opinion on what I have witness in my shop.

[@fintanoclery2698]

Cool insight, cheers.

[@seansridleys4097]

might gives whey to frailty in how many instances

[@tannerannichiarico7255]

You seem to think non-skaters outweigh skaters when it comes to buying boards...That's weird to me but I guess you'd know better... Still, any real skater (that isn't sponsored by a board brand) is putting SHAPE/SIZE waaaay before the brand, the pro, and graphic.

[@POPtheHOBO]

@@tannerannichiarico7255 if by "non-skaters" you are referring to be the beginners and/or "posers". They kinda do. I put the type of "skaters" that regularly come into skate shops into 3 types of groups. 1st. "Non-skaters" This could be anyone from a grandma wanting to buy her grandchild a birthday gift. To someone that's just want to try skateboarding. Normally you won't see the same one of these types twice. BUT, there's a new one at least once a week or so. 2nd "POSERS" (my favorites) These are the ones that will buy EVERY name brand/pro model board on the wall. And will also get shoes and shirts to match. It doesn't matter too much to these guys. As long as as they look cool just standing on a $500 set-up. 3rd. "Skate-rats" (real skaters) These guys are legit. Normally damn good skaters. And know exactly what they ride and what they want. So board size matters does matter mostly to them. Problem with this type is THEY'RE ALWAYS BROKE! They normally want a hookup (not the brand) or a discount. Although they do support their local shop. But if there's a bin of used decks for $20 or a $40 new BLANK deck. That's their 1st choice. And there's nothing wrong with that. BUT if you only see these guys like ONES every other month. A shop can't survive off that. So that's why the other two types out number the 3rd.

[@toni4443]

Thx 4 sharing man, nice info

[@ZorlanOtterby]

Shape is my primary concern. I tend to buy Powell and Welcome decks because their shapes are consistent and well-identified. A Powell 246 shape is always going to have the same shape, width, length, wheelbase, and concave. It's not going to mysteriously have a different concave or wheelbase because a different rider's name is on it or the graphic is different.

[@jetwork131]

Most companies have their specific shapes labeled on their boards nowadays. At least I know DLX and crailtap do that

[@MarkPemble]

For a skater under 16, the PRICE was and probably is the biggest factor on what really sells skateboards. Even for me in my 20's. If the shop has a discount bin deck, I wouldn't care what the company was. If I was ok with the graphic and the shape was ok, I was buying it.

[@psicoalanista]

The price, of course. When you’re a young skater under 17, you’ve to starving saving the food money in the school. After that age, still matters but shape is more important.

[@ancientwestonian]

One of my first boards was a black and green checkered patrick melcher black label with a skeleton on it, graphic was super important to my 10 year old mind. after that I had to buy my own boards and price was the most important factor until i was about 20. Through my 20's it was just brand for me, riding a lot of anti heros and creatures because I like their branding and their board shape and feel. Now at 30 its more important to me to support local shops and the riders i like. Already know I'm about to buy a Gravette board next!

[@MIKE2111ful]

Same I don’t really care about the brand or graphic if the shape is good and is good I’ll take it

[@tannerannichiarico7255]

Sounds like graphic and shape were the biggest factors for you then...

[@The_Sunset_King]

I skate blanks and draw my own graphics. The industry probably hates me lol

[@homeless_snowboarder8225]

My biggest influence as a teenager was cash money vagrant by anti hero. It left a huge impression on me and was the first time seeing gnarly transition skating. Until then x games vert was all I got to see. I ride anti hero boards to this day, 20 years later. Those guys are halarious.

[@SteveFleming-uv5xx]

same bro. antihero with independent trucks bones 103a and redz

[@Lean_s]

When I was a teeenager I used to watch a lot of skate videos that made an impact on me and my homies. But even though a good graphic on a board or the way a rider skates will influence our buying process, I can say now after I studied marketing and branding that a brand's CULTURE is the ultimate key factor that helps us to make a decision on where we should put our money on. If a brand hast strategically build a culture, all its riders, graphics, videofilming, etc will resonate with the customers and of course they will buy just for feeling they are part of the brand

[@SeanDillenbeck]

Chris Roberts that's what sells graphics.

[@hilarioreyes7091]

My favorite shape was from the skatementals. After I couldnt find them i started trying different boards. I like the Almost shape. I just got a thank you deck and i am excited to feel the shape. Btw, advice for those that are a bit older. Get a credit card that gives you cash back. Pay your bills, food, gas, and at the end of the month paid it in full. Then with the rewards use it to buy boards.

[@ToxicTerrance]

I always bought Baker boards and affiliate brands like Shake Junt and such. I just liked the skaters and the attitude in their videos. They seemed like a group of dudes I wanted to have my money. Lol

[@hotwatermusic_]

I don't skate anymore but the moment I realized there was nothing different between the big companies and small brands, I just started skating my local shop's deck. Plus once you find a size you like, you really don't care who makes it. Shape was never an issue for me as I always felt I could adjust as needed. Except Girl boards, never liked the nose on those.... Now if I'm going to buy a deck it's for wall art so graphics are most important

[@jeffrittenour8202]

after taking an 11 year break from skating, i bought a complete from a skate shop last week. the board I chose was a modern shaped board (creature: al partanen). much wider than anything i ever rode previously. as a 35 year old guy just getting back into skating and who was never that good to begin with, i have no preconceived notions of my wheels ever leaving the ground. the board i bought is a dedicated cruiser. that being said, the biggest influence on my decision was the shape first, brand second (i love the creature team), and graphic third. If I was 14, I might have chosen a board based just on the graphic.

[@edwardb4730]

I'm in the same boat. 36 haven't skated since 16. Never that good and all I knew was I wanted and 8.5 cause I'm 6'4" and want something I can stay on. Kinda wanna pick up a cruiser board soon instead. I'm not leaving the ground soon either.

[@jeffrittenour8202]

yeah dude, the board i bought is an 8.8 with 8.75 independents and it feels PERFECT for cruising around. I was never really a fan of long boards. Gotta be able to pivot and manual over curbs and cracks. Here's to getting back into skating as semi-old men 🍻

[@JezelJordan]

I think it goes in a progression based on knowledge and needs. First starting out you just want a badass graphic to show your friends. Get some more understanding and now you want a board that represents your favorite skater. Learn more about skaters and brands and you might start forming preferences and buy boards from a specific brand that you identify. Once you really get into skating and understand your own needs you can't just skate anything, you need a size and shape that works for you.

[@anthonymangia8890]

For me, it's the manufacturer hands down! When I first started skating, it was definitely the graphic for sure. Then when I was 18-22ish, it was what ever was cheapest in my size if I liked the graphic. But now as a 40 year old whos career is in manufacturing, I only skate brands made by PS Stix in my size just because I got used to that construction.

[@ezbg]

1. Dimensions 2. Woodshop 3. Graphic 4 brand/rider

[@victoriousgangster]

As a kid, it was the graphic. Owned a black label deck just because I liked the graphic. Then friends were like, get a well-known brand that's good like Plan B or something. Pop was way better on the Plan B. Then I started buying boards based on the skaters I liked: Hawk, Cole, Mullen etc. In the end I think you need to focus on what suits your needs in a board and then if you want, see if they have that spec with the graphic or pro you like.

[@BretCahill]

When skate shops was the only option I would go in and pull all the boards off the wall that had the shape I liked then pick the one with whichever graphic I liked the most. Eventually you start to learn which brands even has shapes you would consider. Now that you can go online and find literally every graphic available atm, I find myself looking at graphics first and then thinking if it's a brand I can rep and then think about the shape. If a rider has a cool graphic then that's just a bonus.

[@viracocha03]

When I first skated about 2 decades ago, it was the graphic that sold me and my friends usually. I just got back into skating this season and shape/size/weight are what matter to me, i could care less about the image on the board and don't care too much about the make. I remember my first deck as a child was an old-school Valterra Ally Cat from 1987, my first double kick was a Powell Angle Boy Hardflip, then a Think that was just the Think logo all over the bottom, I had a Lib Tech at one point too, cant remember the others.

[@mattow30]

When I'm online shopping for a deck, I start with the width I like then filter by price and usually go with a graphic I like within those parameters. Tactics makes a good shop deck ngl

[@passenger-rider]

Back when I was a kid I was totally sold after I saw Consolidated number 1.

[@edgarcruzk0e]

When I was growing up, World Industries had the best Graphics, Wet Willy and Flame boy forever

[@colinhawks2469]

I’d say it’s shape AND graphic for me. I find both to be incredibly important. It absolutely needs to satisfy both the physical needs and mental. Rider/company doesn’t really have much of any effect on me. I will be hella loyal to a shape (for me it’s Plan B’s 8.0 at the moment) and then pair it with a graphic I vibe

[@Osiris-wm2kj]

Naw dude i really feel that! I like how you explained that. Just like how we skate alot better if we have a nice fit on.

[@paetonlaturner759]

It also has to do with your location as well cause one city will be heavy with riders from one team and the next state over is completely different

[@RollForever88]

Always liked Baker boards. Must’ve had 4-5 of the classic red/black/white graphic. Anyone remember the flip new wave boards? Rode those till the wheels fell off but looking back they were kind of an interesting concept regarding friction etc..

[@OutoftheOfficeCreations]

Totally! My first board was a Jeff Rowley Flip new wave Christmas complete. So nostalgic! I forgot what they were called

[@princequestly2218]

As a kid by graphic/skater when I got older i bought by shape and second most important is the wood. Not all companies use the same wood manufacturers

[@bakeraus]

It is rad though going into a local skate shop, having a chat and picking a board. Really loved doing that.

[@joserxposer]

Price. I love the FA/hockey riders but $75 for a board?? It’s too high especially when you’re going through a board/month sometimes

[@letsplayclassicgames5024]

All are a factor for sure. My first 3 or so boards were based on rider when I was getting into it (Hawk, Koston, Margera). After that I didnt care as much and wanted to try every company I could and find a size I liked. Once I found a size, I kept trying different companies and looked at shape some more. At the end of it all, I really liked how DLX (Anti Hero/Krooked/Real) boards held up and rode, and genuinely liked their shapes in general. In a pinch, size and shape was the main factor if a shop didnt have a DLX board in my size. Not many shops seem to carry them, but I really enjoyed the one ExpeditionOne board I have rode.

[@madkrixna]

When I first started: Graphics / Rider A few year in ( 89-91 ): Deck with biggest nose. late 90s to mid 2000's: Blanks. (Life, Getting Older, Work, five year plus break...) 2018 to now, switched to park bowls, now age 47: size shape only.

[@MatthiasKrumm]

I more consider boards from local/regional/national skate brands and shops. You know, support your local skate shop.

[@BELLAROSE21212]

Second board specs: used-small-square-tail chiped-nose-pointed 3 lines on the griptape. 7.5. 1 Destructo truck 3 different wheels with skate-spots 1 independent/tensor 6 pieces of random bolts/nuts 1 striped nut that would release wheel Old risers 3 bone bearings and random rollerblade berringd with wd40.. Black-label elephant deck…. 🤩. Then one year Christmas black slick ccs complete…. Times where good ….

[@musikerie]

When i got into skateboarding i was told to Touch and feel the shape to get the right one, i ended up with ronny creager's Boards from blind, loved the pop

[@rebusd]

In my day (lol) around 89-90, we looked for the type of tail that looked like it would popsicle quickly (as in under a couple of weeks). The SMA Natas decks were a prime example with their Ollie Monster (TM) tails. Then Rodney started designing shapes and the whole 'World' changed; the tails came pre-broken in. I didn't mind that, but I was sure skeptical of that crappy first-gen Rocco wood, even if I loved my Gonz Blind deck.

[@couchfighter]

DUDE! Love this show..im 47 i have my og 83 hawk decks behind me on the wall and ive been thinking id try and buy a reissue and build one to match but in good shape for my wall, It was the art work that set the pro boards apart from the veriflex striker "previous board"

[@eze8024]

I just buy Baker decks because Reynolds has been my favorite skater for like 20+ years 🤷‍♂️ When I started skated at 12yrs old, I had no idea there were different shapes. I thought ALL 7.75s were the same, all 8s were the same etc. By the time I realized there were different shapes, I was so used to all my Baker decks that all other shapes were "weird" for me 🤣

[@WizardDoom]

Good choice

[@skateguy50]

Younger skater me it was value, not cheapest but longest I could skate before breaking / loosing pop for the price. Now as an old skater I support skaters I like and shapes I like, current favorite is the Nora 8.6” shaped deck from welcome. She’s a shredder from my home town and I like a board I won’t break too quick.

[@32srt32]

when i was young i knew nothing about wb so i just stuck with 7.5"/7.75" because i bought a toy machine that was bigger than an 8" and couldnt do my flip tricks. so i thought all toy machines were like that. wish the shops would educate the kids more

[@musicfeedsthewhole]

Graphics forsure personally. Blind with the skelly, Girl with the funny logo, DGK being raunchy and Dark Star with the knight

[@mikekeating]

I've been skating for 36 years and in my experience what drives you to buy a board is definitely age specific. started skating at 11 years old.. all about what everyone else was riding. pre internet..lol. haveing skated through the board shape transition and always being a fan of freestyle, by the time I was 18 or so it was all about size, shape and pop. haven't looked back since, as close to twin as possible for me please.

[@johnf4202009]

As a kid it was all about dope graphics. Now days shape/size is most important because even a slight change will throw me off completely. I did ride a 7.75" for about 2 decades but recently switched to an 8.0" and liked the change.

[@bradcleck1]

When I started skating in 2002 (I was 12) I rode nothing but Black label bc Ben Gilley rode for my local skateshop so they were Label heavy. But I also like their shop boards. Overall, I ride Faith shop boards, Baker and Zero these days. I love the mellow concave of the Baker boards

[@burna803]

Coming from the hood when I was first getting into skating I would purchase second hand boards. But after riding boards from this company then that company I kinda learned what I liked and didn’t like. Then after getting my first shop board which was a saltys shop board i remember hanging at the shop and asking which company made their boards. After them telling me dwindle wood that’s all I rode for a while. But as I progressed I found companies with similar shaped boards to what I liked and started trying their boards. I never really went off riders because their boards never really came in the size I skated except when I was skating 8’s and you could always find a Kenny Anderson chocolate board in a 8.

[@SabiaCDO]

It also works the other way around. Gustavo Ribeiro is one of my favorite skaters. He went with Cariuma. Now I don't follow him as much. So joining or leaving a brand, can also be negative for the skater. I am not being that brand. I stick to ÉS for the team they had, I went with GIRL/ CHOCOLATE for the team they had and the graphics, but now I go for a brand with a great philosophy and interesting shapes: WELCOME.

[@KofiProductions]

I’m the type that buys for the rider and shape of board. I want a revive board strictly because of Jonny Giger. I want a Stereo board because of Jason Lee. I do like the old Ed Templeton graphics though.

[@Skankhunt-hl9zj]

Most companies don’t even use Canadian maple anymore they use North American maple grown in other places some they use birch wood too. Canadian maple used to be the standard but now you have to find what brands have which wood and use which wood shops to see if the quality is any good. Some brand use different shapes but the same exact wood so you have to find what you like.

[@full6330name]

Constantly putting out good footage,good edits and be interesting in interviews,podcasts etc. That's what you have to do to sell boards. Example... I liked T-Funk and Tyson Peterson but they kinda mixed in with a lot off other skaters. But now,if I'm at a skateshop and I see their boards I will probably get them. Why ? I respect what they did in the last video. That's at least how it works for me.

[@michaelbenjamin2625]

Same

[@KidCloud602]

To this day i want the yellow element board with purple splats that brent atchley uses in "this is my element" jus because of how steezy his part was!

[@mikeuptegrove]

My favorite, most memorable, shoes, were the Vans Mike Carroll’s and Es Koston’s. Before that there wasn’t much....Vans Salomon Agah’s ?! Who else had shoes? Airwalk Jason Lee’s??

[@turdledive927]

I buy powell peralta flight decks only because I'm heavy and they're made in the USA! Man I break regular boards every week.

[@realmorgan3075]

Flight decks are sick

[@retrorevival1]

skating in the UK early 2000's, US brand boards were always like £60+, UK brands were around £40, and blank decks you could get for like £20-30. In over 25 years of skateboarding i've only ever bought one US brand board, a Gravette Creature deck, apart from that one it never made sense to me money-wise (same with £100+ shoes, f-that, I remember you could get Vans Eras for £30-40 and that was pushing it price-wise for something you're going to destroy in a couple months). I had some EU brand boards like Jart and Cliche but I always picked up UK brands like Death, Blueprint, Heroin etc but prices for those started to go up and up. Blank decks were always where it was at. Throw some massive Spitfire and Independent stickers on there and you're good to go. Most important factor to me was always the size, I liked a specific 8.125" width and blanks in that size were always more common.

[@stopthecap2764]

Getting into it at around 11-12 I would say graphics and eventually with older friends explaining size and weight of certain sizes I think shape and weight was a major factor

[@tye829]

My process was always: 1. company (tend to have 3ish brands I stick to: usually Girl, Mystery, 5Boro). 2. Size: Must be 7.75. 3. At that point, it's the coolest graphic that fits number 1 and 2. Graphic has to look cool and unless I really need a board ASAP (like mine is broken), I will just wait until there is a cool graphic. Imho the quality of graphics has kind of gone downhill in recent years... skateboarding is a stylistic endeavor there should always be cool graphics. Luckily boards like Girl were often cut "mellow" which I prefer... If something was a deep cut then I might not get it even if it fits the other three, but personally the cut of the board did not matter as much to me as 7.75, an absolute must. And if I really liked a certain pro that might have some small influence if it was down to a couple boards, but not really that much of a difference. Some of my favorite decks I ever had were pros I had never heard of.

[@32srt32]

shape wb and price is what sells a board to me. dwindle has been holding it down for me with 14" wb in every size at a good price point.

[@Xboxracer1]

Rider, brand, then shop boards really. Great conversation!

[@Noastamper]

Started out with Mini logo blanks. Then I got super into shapes and developed preferences. Now it’s shape and concave then brand then graphic then pro model then price.

[@codyprlina9673]

For me its just a good ol twin tail! I wish every company had a twin tail line. Thanx crob for dropping twins brotha

[@EVAASIVEOne]

Muskas character in the New Jersey chapter of TH-UG giving you a Christmas complete made me buy a Muska Element when I was 12. Made my child self feel some sort of corny full circle supportive feeling.

[@NickVanzwol]

I feel like boards choose me a lot of the time. Definitely shape, and then what companies I want to support based on brand execution and who is on the team. Rider and graphic are a bonus.

[@whatdanielson]

What sells is the entire brand image. People want to pull up and have the most relatable thing present so they can connect with other people. It’s gotta look cool, have good PR and seem like the new thing that people can latch onto.

[@RedVelvetUnderground333]

When I was a kid I just bought the cheapest one or whatever company was my fave at the time, it wasn’t later that I found out about sizes and shape. Dlx boards ended up feeling the best for me

[@caseygray7243]

I've given up on wood constructed boards. Impact boards. Vx boards and flight boards are the future in my opinion.

[@mikeuptegrove]

When I was a kid it was all about board dimensions and its shape. Art is cool, but I looked for board with most layers of paint so it would slide better.

[@Hugodra]

Mainly was graphics/skater combo...well if it wasn't for the re-release of the muska shortys I wouldn't be skating today...always wanted as a kid but never got it...with that said as much as I might like a graphics it has to be made on the size I skate and so many companies made sick graphics with board too big..now I'm finding deals of brands I like such as Zero 3 for 120, these allow me to get different boards while being able to give one to someone at the skatepark that might need a new board...always looking up at the community

[@b.l4365]

Growing up. It was definitely budget but if you had the money, you’d get a board with a skater you look up to. Shape was never in mind. Graphic be a bonus honestly.

[@jovtecxtv1321]

The Graphics is what sells to the regular public. Usually riders are just looking for a fresh board to mess up so the graphic isn't that significant but the build quality is a priority. If you have a company with a longer lasting board and innovation that improves your performance. That's what riders need... not just some dudes name or hyped brand.

[@BLVCKSEA]

For me, I only buy boards that are pressed by PS Stix or BBS. After that I choose a board off the Shape x size x dimension.

[@Spectactical1]

For me shape is important, but Graphic are huge. Really comes down to what's in the shop now.

[@dmoney6167]

My first was a cbs complete from the local sports shop no graphic just a board trucks and wheels

[@tossowain8963]

I think location of the brand is also a factor. If its a board brand supporting people around you in your community, Id much rather buy those boards than a company based in a different country.

[@kevinclark7773]

I mean I feel like reputation is part of it too. Like Toy Machine for instance. They are known for crazy awesome Templeton graphics.

[@11colavec]

i buy a board based on brand first -- the brand usually has a lot of riders i like and its a shape im used to. then i pick a board within the brand that has a rider i like and a cool graphic

[@rileygally2967]

I bought 2 pairs of Ishods just because of how they looked. Having a name on your shoe is cool but design and function is most important

[@crazycarlsadventures5983]

Growing up I rode a lot of alien workshop/ habitat decks … I even rode alot of dwindle boards enjoi , almost … I liked Steep concave 7.75-7.9

[@CantThinkofaCoolOne]

For me it was the Powell Peralta skeleton on the top of the deck. Had to have one. 1989. Graphics all the way.

[@robzstuffz1286]

For me it's always been quality, shape and graphic. The only time any riders came into play was when I bought 2 decks from local legend that got sponsored.

[@simwaa1352]

For me it came down to cost growing up hence why I skated blank boards for years. I never skated chocolate until I started listening to nine club now 90% boards I skate are chocolate but think that was more to do with the shape and the progression i experienced, that was probably more due to consistency rather then the board. However I did recently get a muska board for nostalgic reasons but it was a dope board to ride. Now skating the symmetrical crob board and am now converted to symmetrical boards, so guess for me it's shape now haha.

[@StandbyCymbalist]

always ride my local shop's decks. beyond that, I'd look into what wood shop made it.

[@seanwahl1000]

Always the shape first, and then the thickness of the silk screen print.

[@MASONMAXEY22]

When I first started it was graphics..then board shape and company..this was back in the early 90s when some boards had bigger noses and others were stuck in the no nose 80s. After all that now I just get boards for their graphics because they are all kinda shaped the same these days as long as its not super wide I'm good.

[@BurtGummerrr]

In the mid 90s I went through a lot of skateboards. My first board was a Red Glitter Santa Cruz. Most of what I bought then was about companies I thought were cool. Then the mad concave series came out and rocked those. I don't even skate anymore, but I bought a McCrank Poler/Grill board. I'm 6'4 225 lbs now so if I get another board it will be 95 percent shape. I show my support for dudes through shoes now. But when I was skating the hardest we had blanks for a company called Inhouse. That was the only way to get the size you wanted for half the price. Spoiled kid.

[@chyeaOGKush]

id say shape/grpahic together as 1# then rider 2# then brand for 3# idk why i put # after the number

[@TITANSKATEBOARDTOOLS]

What's up Niners...We launched our skate tools under the values of: 1) Is it useful to skaters? Does it bring something new/innovative or solve a problem? Putting a logo for a new brand on a commodity isn't cool in our opinion. In our case, T-tools being too big to skate with was a valid opportunity. 2) Are there any big pros willing to give their seal of approval on our house-key sized skate tools? In our case our first two pros were Danny Way and Bucky Lasek because they genuinely loved the usefulness. 3) Are they as much as a Big-Mac or an XL pizza with a drink and breadsticks? It can't cost a grip. 4) Do you have the ad budget so that the average skater knows you exist? It is a chicken or the egg problem. 5) Do you have the brand in skate shops so people can see the product, hold it, buy it if they don't wanna' wait for mail delivery, postage, etc.? We're now in 12 countries and 500+ doors. If you get sales channels too quick but can't promote, it could close the window of your launch. 6) Do the founders actually skate? Our founder has skated since 1986, had several mini-ramps, spines, etc., skates street and at 48 still can do a fakie heel big-flip. He also has battled cancer and had 8 surgeries that required relearning all the old tricks. The passion for skating comes through in the brand. 7) Does the brand give back to skating? Even when we were just starting and short on cash, we donated boards, shoes, socks, tools to a skate club building parks in Uganda, and paid our less legendary pros gas, meal, or flight stipends before even paying ourselves with faith that it would pay it forward. A motto of lift up those around you and we all rise together is very true. Another interesting thing to learn is that there are pros who lend street cred., and there are other pros that actually influence people to pull the trigger and make a purchase. They are not always the same or intuitive and not figuring it out can make or break a brand on a budget. Lastly, you gotta' have fun along the way. Follow your passions and it will feel less like work so you can plug away as long as it takes. Tenacity and persistence are ALMOST as critical as the idea itself. Cheers! titanskateboardtools.com

[@spladdlemaster]

Shape/concave is it for me then maybe skater ,I like regular popsicle and thick, Im riding a Chocolate and primitive(i prefer primitive tho) but was into Deathwise/mystery and enjoi way back when years ago now because those were poppy boards at the time.Primitive right now is my favorite in todays era

[@bluecheesewithwings2105]

I never really understand when people say skating isn't supposed to be this big corporate thing but in honesty , skating is prolly a sport that makes so much money but since everyone always says buy local we think these dude aren't making millions when they are. Vans alone sells more then billion dollars a year nothing underground about that

[@snakefinger]

Wood, shape, graphic, rider/brand, gimmicks (stickers) for example Rick Howard basketball deck. Terminator 2 deck with scratch off graphics.

[@patmcconville4453]

8.3x 32 doesn’t matter the graphic! I started with 7.75

[@aftertheburial420]

Shape Size and Graphic in that order. When i was younger getting into skating though...I was looking for blanks at a decent price. I also I figured out I really loved Canadian Maple blanks.

[@tretiak1888]

for me its price first, i always go with skateshop board if the shape its good and they have the size that i want!! and i dont know why but everytime i go for a nice looking promodel its always break after 2weeks and skateshop board i can skate for couple mouths so for me its money / size / shape / graphics if they have different skateshop graphics

[@The_Bit_Player]

1) Size (& Shape) 2) Price 3) Graphics 4) Company (Brand) 5) Riders

[@you_down_with_pjc]

Honored dudes! Ol buddy forever

[@dash007]

how do you get sponsored

[@Andrew.W.19]

Now it’s Shape and company (Real Skateboards). First started skating as a kid was the riders and videos. Same with shoes.

[@EarthWalkerOne]

Size/shape, weight, price.

[@thinglizzy2718]

I don’t care about the brand half as much as the size and shape. I’m even down to ride shop boards because I get one a month anyway. But I do try to support the brands I like if I can

[@benthomas1885]

It’s all about the concave for me. And the width, I don’t really care about shape so long as it is fairly even.

[@mitchellbarlow1613]

GET MARK FOSTER “FOS” ON THE PODCAST

[@freakbag556]

Rider first which was eric koston for me then it was about board shape and quality of life IE does it lose pop after a month/ does it break or chip easily/etc

[@lukeadams8565]

so i had a question i was 12 in 96 my dad got me this old school deck with a nude chick on the grip tape for my first deck i hated it so he got me a vans skate shop metro center mall in Phoenix man i wish i kept that old school deck but as i remember by the way lived in Prescott Arizona and it was removed from most sports aside from bmx but my skate boards were all ways 8 or bigger is that normal for the time i only skate 8.5 or bigger now that i am 36 i skate more then when i was a teen but just wondering i did not rely have to many people to skate with and i lived on a dirt road but i skated in my garage good time peace love and light from ohio

[@5klicktone]

I buy my boards based off the size and shape graphics don't last long enough to really worry about

[@bryanhudson7895]

wood - shape - graphics is how I used to roll. I still love that old world wood from the mid 90s, was that dwindle?

[@atrusty9729]

yup. dwindle was dope. so was tum yeto