Today I went skating for the first time in over two months. I’m 16 I’ve just had exam season and decided to focus on my exams. I kept in mind I hadn’t skated in over two months so didn’t push myself. If I was trying a switch 180 and it wasn’t working I’d just do some regular front 180s and switch ollies then tried again. When I’ve been skating earlier this year I would always get angry and frustrated and would throw my board literally every time I went out to skate. Today I felt magic I felt when I was skating two years ago when I was past the beginner stage and was actually learning new tricks. To put a long story short I haven’t been as happy as I am right now for a very, very long time. Skateboarding is magic and you can’t believe it till you feel it. I remembered why I tell people I’ll never stop skating ever.
Huge thanks Ben. I'm pretty new to skating (less than a year in) and glad to see FA getting some love on your channel. I've got an FA Sage 8.25 deck on 139 Stage XI's after trying a few different setups and wanted some context on the nose shape/ steepness before I hopefully progress enough to start using it more. Love this deck though-- the shape and concave is great, and I've just started landing my ollies while moving consistently on this as well. As I get better with ollies, the pop I get with this deck versus longer, more mellow tails is amazing. Thanks for your vid on the secret to ollies too as well. Practise/ experience is really the way. Appreciate the channel, it has really been a tremendous help to me and so many others I'm sure.
36yr old skater here, started back skating last year after 12yrs off the board, ben your vids are excellent, thoroughly informative and motivational, I'm about to buy a FA deck so as always the best advice=your vids.
I'm 40. Gone through two FA decks. Use the right trucks with your setup. Indy 144's on 8.25 feels great, and just got accustomed to Venture Hi 5.2 on 8.18 (but that setup actually made the nose feel heavier until I got the pop down--which in the meantime has you sort of looking like a beginner).
@@AlfieFenton exactly, they're the exact same shapes as FA. I've skated FA, Hockey, and WKND boards in the past couple of years and they were all the exact same shape and concave
I love FA/Hockey boards because they seem to be the most consistent. The shape and concave are almost always the same. I haven't rode any other board company for like 2 years.
Thanks have been enjoying your videos a lot! It would be great to see a video about the difference between smal tails vs bigger ones, and wider decks vs. narrower! thanks!
I just bought an 8.5 and it has the craziest concave I've seen since adrenaline skateboards were around. Actually feels like a blend of my old Capital Ricky O, and my old Adrenaline Chris Senn deck from the early 2000's. Man Adrenaline had such steep concave, actually hard to get used to tbh. But w the Capital shape influx in this Hockey it's sick, and the pop is SNAPPY!
Skating a townley 8,5 enera. So much fun to mess around with and so satisfying to look down and not see a regular popsicle like every other board i've had
Been wearing Osiris high tops for over a decade now. Won’t wear anything else. The d3s are ugly as fuck but we’re quite practical, especially when you’re first learning to skate like I was
Something worth noting about big noses is I feel they have a longer functional lifespan because as the side edges of the nose get bashed and worn down, the radius tapers and by the time you get super razor tail, the shape would resemble something like a more standard popsicle shape.
Any tips on time management and juggling the job, the wife and kids, and trying to still skate as much as possible? I feel the older I'm getting the more I want to skate but the time isn't there, adulting sucks.
I ride FA and WKND for their shorter wheelbase on a wider board. I have a theory that the square nose and tail makes your flip tricks super accurate, less curve for the board to turn, like if you were to pop a kickflip in the scooping position
I came up with an idea with blunts that fakie front blunt would be easier, didnt wax and ate shit on the first try after getting in near perfect half cab into position. Couldnt even do a halfcab after due to fear. I'll give it another try soon.
I've never had a FA or Quasi, but have been skating Deluxe boards (Anti-Hero, Real, Krooked) for a while. You might like one of their Full-Shape boards. Deluxe boards got a shit-ton of pop.
The Donovan “long trip/eyes without a face” board is the best feeling board on my feet, that I’ve ever experienced. Thing is… I haven’t gotten too technical with it because I have like 4 different setups. It seems to flip a little slow, but when I’m feeling it… that board feels like having some Jordan 13s on then they first came out hahaha.
ricerrr ツ yeah. I’m uploading a review on it later today actually. It’s not for my style of skating. I prefer flip tricks and manual tricks. The wide squared nose and tail are great for riding transition or doing noseslides and tailslides, but that’s about it. Depends on your riding style.
ricerrr ツ yes. Especially ones that rotate like 360 flips. Kickflips are clunkier and you have to relearn and adjust how you flick or else they will turn into 90 flips or sometimes catch your foot. Squared nose and tail definitely aren’t for skaters who like to do flip tricks or get technical
I've always felt FA has such a genuine approach to skateboarding. They don't necessarily choose "the best" skaters, but their favorites (which are honestly the best imho). I genuinely feel they aren't in it for profit, but really for their enjoyment. For that motive, I would honestly skate a shape I disliked , just to support them. Ironically, I love their shapes... and think their skaters are the best.
@@smevan2428 I don’t know if you still need it but the pop is the motion where you slam the tail/nose on the ground, when a boards loses its pop it means that it doesn’t bounce as high or as good as before
I love right trucks, I ride Indy classics, double tight, I want to try avenue trucks, my main problem with loose Trucks is speed wobble, as I am always hill bombing, and riding really fast, all day, every day, I also like the fact that right Trucks cause me less ankle strain... ...do you think I will be able to get used to avenue? How tight can they go? How much speed and pop will it increase? Worth it? Peace from a Londoner in Lima (currently) OG skater born 1975, reborn in the South bank, officially, in 1986
THANK YOU for addressing the weight issue! I always thought i was the only one that noticed how some decks just felt 'crispier' where others felt heavier even though theyd have the same measurements/brand etc. So is it the actual process or the materials when it comes to the pressing and how it affects weight of the deck?
Hey Ben, I’m wondering about your board rotation. How often do you witch between different boards and trucks? I tend to agree with all your opinions but the idea of switching boards and trucks so frequently is crazy to me. Is it because you match the wheelbase of the board with the trucks that you are able to switch between brands easier?
I think you'd really enjoy a WKND deck. They're very similar if not the same shape as an FA. I've been skating all WKND decks lately. I went stupid and bought like 6 at once lol
You should try out a deck from welcome, they have some interesting shapes that still ride pretty normal. I got one of their amulet board shapes and i think i like it better than regular decks for doing ollies up and down stuff.
Hey Ben, got some barely used Tensor ATG's (their redesign) I'm willing to mail you for review. Would love to hear your thoughts on them. I personally think they're a big improvement over their previous non-turny models. Still prefer Indy or Thunder though. You got a PO box?
Love your videos man. So informative. Just started doing skate product reviews w/ skating on my channel. I’d say mine are halfway decent- how do you get people to actually view the content? Lol.
The different shaped nose doesn't really bother me much or make much of a difference. What I absolutely hate is a deck that has a smaller tail and a big nose. The tail and nose should be symmetrical!
Good old fashioned a-symmetrical like the early 90s Blind decks. Like Paul Schmitt said on his 9 club interview "If you had a pocket knife with two blades, would you want them the same or different." Once again Ben great video.
To be honest I think it's just different Great video Ben... I like how you explain what this board shape does...makes me wanna skate that type of board with a different mindstate/perspective 💪
What park is that with the ledge followed by the quarter? I ask because I noticed you’re in Vancouver in one of the clips. Haven’t skated in years. Might pick up a complete here soon tho.
Anybody remember that James Kelch board that had a huge nose 20 years ago? I had that board handed down that my pal rode. We had allot of fun on that board.
Sick video! Do you have a bearing review at all ? New to the channel and starting to skate again after about 5 years and curious to know if reds and bone swiss are still the best bearings out there 🤘🏼🔥
I absolutely love simple parks like that! I hate when there is a huge plaza with no normal rails or ledges just kinked, curved, down stairs etc only. I have encountered it way too many times. Good video thanks!
I was watching an old video where u talk about how skateboards are pressed in Mexico..by chance do you have that companies info. Like what city and company name? Thank you. Very informative videos keep it up.
I've heard that the newly designed Tensor Maglite ATG trucks are better than every other truck out there including Indys. The dude's review on YT said they even turn better, and his Maglites were hella grinded in all forms. Review please???
Guy, you know the answer, "it's really personal preference, yada yada." But I'll tell ya, hell yes they are. Indy Forged Titaniums now replaced w Maglite ATG truck (don't care if Maglite "extends" the board wheelbase a bit--you'll waste a little energy adjusting to the new pop timing but you'll waste WAAAAY less energy doing so). I also rode the Maglite Lo's. Got used to those on everything but I had to workaround the kingpin that wasn't 5mm lower like the new ATG. The lo's were still a great truck, but if you're heavier / ride those big tires / or want tight trucks I had to circumvent the Maglight lo bushings with another solution which actually worked well (for those >= 200 lbs): hard longboard barrel bushing on roadside; smaller bones conical bushing on boardside. Made the turning to the guys riding Thunder Hollow Lights have no complaints about how the deck handled (and these trucks were lo's mind you). It'll be a while before you hear any Indy guy say the Tensor Maglight ATG's turn better. Dude, they do.
I rode for atm back in 2000 and the nose on those boards was identical to that. I liked them cause the nollie/switch pop was massive, other than that i just traded them for shop boards from the local shop i rode for.
The way the tail is mellower than the nose reminds me of the OG alien workshop and habitat boards. I haven’t skated AWS or Habitat since I was in highschool so idk if it’s the same but I definitely remember the AWS and Habitat boards always have steeper noses and mellow tails while the brands I skated typically had similar steepness from nose to tail. I also remember AWS/Habitat boards feeling thicker than boards used which I typically stuck with Flip or Chocolate boards. I know different skaters have their own shape but I definitely remember that about AWS/Habitat which makes sense why FA has the same deal since Dill and AVE both rode that type of steeper nose board for decades. I also remember Flip boards being super similar to Baker boards in that they has mellower nose and tails, thinner than AWS/Habitat and more similar nose and tail shape like a traditional popsicle being all symmetrical. Then I remember Girl or Chocolate boards for a certain pro having a round nose but super sharp pointy tail which I wanna say it was Marc Johnson’s boards but don’t quote me on that. Also the same goes for Element but I felt like all Element boards had the super sharp tail shape with a rounded nose but idk man Element just never won me over. Their boards felt weak and even with gimmicks like the carbon fiber core it would break just as if not easier than normal boards. Do you guys recall any other brands that have specific shapes and styles?
agreed. with other boards/ traditional shape, I sometimes “miss my pop” or i will ollie and the board does not catch my front foot. FA and hockey boards have always been completely perfect for me. the best
How do you get over the fear of slamming. I am 44 and just started skating again after about 20 years. I had a bad ankle injury and it's hard not to think about tweeking my ankle. Your progression is awesome.
check out dr kyle brown on instagram. he has a lot of ankle strengthening exercises on his page(along with other stuff) that helped me a lot. i never roll my ankle anymore
@@trontosaurusrex9532 Thank you ! I ordered TJ Rogers 8.0 Deck. Would you use Venture Lows , Destructo Meds , or High ones on this Deck ? I have already a pair High Indys for an 8.0 Deck. Just corious
@@maniacmike8613 I have Venture lows on mine with some 86a Ricta Clouds for my messed up streets and sidewalks where I live. I skate right over cracks and uneven sidewalks no problem.
this sounds like the deck for me. i like a shorter wheelbase, square noses seem more stable to me, and mellower tail than nose is perfect because i always get ghost pop. might have to try one. only thing missing for it to be perfect is those scoopy wings
There are a lot of board companies that make less narrowed nose and tail boards, with a mellower tail. You could check out some Flip boards, or a Libtech has that shape. Girl and Chocolate both have very similar shapes as well.
excellent video ben, ( and you rip too. good stuff sir) . interesting … im over 30 now and as the years go on I have moved from (lol)7.5 chocolate Stevie Williams boards to 8.15 anything really but I always fuck about with the shape these days but for some reason i stick to tapered tails. i think you just helped me move away from that ( i always thought maybe its better for 3 shoves and tre flips but maybe not
resQjack that’s the problem I had, so I switched to a Baker to get more consistent then go back to FA. It’s weird that I can impossible better on FA but it was so hard to tre flip for me.
Did this FA deck help you do frontside crook? That's the real question. Thanks for another great vid Ben. Additional question since you are doing QA, what are some methods or ideas to get yourself out of slumps or long periods trying to learn new tricks.
I just got a Kevin Bradley 8 inch and I normally skate FA with thunders but this time around I put on some 5.6 venture standard and I was getting mad ghost pop. On top of that the board felt a little heavy, I don’t know if it was the trucks, paint on the board or too much glue in the deck.
@@bendegros I should’ve figured. I put on my 147 hollow kingpin (technically, they’re standards but I switched the baseplate) it made it more better to control, and not get any ghost pop like I did with the highs. Never realized how steep FA boards are.
different is definetly more fun, i rode a shaped 8.6 oskar rozenberg polar board, super fun to ride, looked mike something that they skated in the early 90's. square tail and a super tapered nose. was nice to ride something different, but feels even better to get back to some normal boards after
I use the same shape. Tom asta says in a video he prefers the tapered shape but he’s also got smaller feet yet doesn’t exactly ride a smaller board. I guess it depends on your feet and how they respond to the deck. What shape wheels do you prefer tho?
ive been skating everday for about 10 years and FA has been the only thing ive been riding for a min and when i skate switch i skate my nose and it feels so crisp
I'm going to give Adam Cassidy a board for you to try - what's your preferred size? Are you as picky as he is for steep concave? Maybe I'll give you the one shape that he always likes and see what you think. Rad as always
Do it! I'm not as fussy as Adam. Send me an 8.38. I have a stack of 8 inch decks but I like wider decks sometimes. It would be a great excuse to session with him. I used to see him at Thompson all the time when he was living close by.
it would be cool too see you do a review on a shaped board id love too here what you think about how it is too ride compared too what you normally like
Even though you have the best reviews, I'm always more impressed by your skating. This content is a goldmine.
Best reviews on RUclips. Not generic, straight to the point and sick skating
But the Powell Peralta Pro Andy Anderson Heron Flight® is the best skateboard ever made.
FACTS, the absolute best
FA should send you some free decks cause this video just increased their sales.
John M no it didn’t.
@@acghoul6907 I want to noseblunt slide.
Elijah Luna I can say it definitely did because I’m gonna buy one now lol
Yes
@@ethandemille2585 yeah i want one too
My FA board was one of, if not my favorite setup I've ever ridden. They really are great boards. My pop felt so on point
Im liking how you begin your videos with yiur hypothesis and end with a conclusion.
Mara Santo Domingo just like school, I think he payed attention
SCIENCE
Today I went skating for the first time in over two months. I’m 16 I’ve just had exam season and decided to focus on my exams. I kept in mind I hadn’t skated in over two months so didn’t push myself. If I was trying a switch 180 and it wasn’t working I’d just do some regular front 180s and switch ollies then tried again. When I’ve been skating earlier this year I would always get angry and frustrated and would throw my board literally every time I went out to skate. Today I felt magic I felt when I was skating two years ago when I was past the beginner stage and was actually learning new tricks. To put a long story short I haven’t been as happy as I am right now for a very, very long time. Skateboarding is magic and you can’t believe it till you feel it. I remembered why I tell people I’ll never stop skating ever.
how much did you have to hold back from calling the review "are they actually fucking awesome or just different?"
I did edit something out:)
Ah I see what you did there! 😂 At 3:38 "I decided to celebrate with a blunt.......... slide party". T'was dope Ben!
That joke was dope.
Huge thanks Ben. I'm pretty new to skating (less than a year in) and glad to see FA getting some love on your channel. I've got an FA Sage 8.25 deck on 139 Stage XI's after trying a few different setups and wanted some context on the nose shape/ steepness before I hopefully progress enough to start using it more. Love this deck though-- the shape and concave is great, and I've just started landing my ollies while moving consistently on this as well. As I get better with ollies, the pop I get with this deck versus longer, more mellow tails is amazing. Thanks for your vid on the secret to ollies too as well. Practise/ experience is really the way. Appreciate the channel, it has really been a tremendous help to me and so many others I'm sure.
36yr old skater here, started back skating last year after 12yrs off the board, ben your vids are excellent, thoroughly informative and motivational, I'm about to buy a FA deck so as always the best advice=your vids.
I'm 40. Gone through two FA decks. Use the right trucks with your setup. Indy 144's on 8.25 feels great, and just got accustomed to Venture Hi 5.2 on 8.18 (but that setup actually made the nose feel heavier until I got the pop down--which in the meantime has you sort of looking like a beginner).
Grip tape comparison would be cool. Also OJ wheels review. Thanks
super juice feels amazing. a little impractical for trick skating for me. but god theyre awesome when bombing hills and cruising
Mob are super good. I dont know about other grip tape. But I do know mob lasts longer.
Quasi has a similar shape with a slightly bigger tail. Interesting that Quasi & FA are both old Alien workshop crew also. Loving the reviews!
Hammy i’ve been saying the same thing for months!
so does does wknd. I skated an 8.5 wknd and i just got a 8.5 quasi and i'm very sure they're the exact same deck
dom yeah they all use ps stix
@@larrysgonefishing oh i didnt realize hehe
Slightly smaller I think, felt like shit compared to FA
I had no idea you skated! I always watch your drywall and construction videos. Hell ya man!
I think you gave me the courage to try noseblunts, thank you sir love your reviews as always.
o shit wasnt expectin to see u here lmaooo
I’m riding a Hockey right now, I love the concave, it did take a while to get used to the massive nose
I’m thinking of getting one what’s it like for nose slides and nollies
@@calcook8371 they're good for nose slides for sure
Wknd boards have the same sorta nose as well
@@AlfieFenton exactly, they're the exact same shapes as FA. I've skated FA, Hockey, and WKND boards in the past couple of years and they were all the exact same shape and concave
Alfie Fenton what dont wknd copy off fa tbf
I d like to see a Creature, Santa Cruz or Zero deck review.
Ben already made a santa cruz review. Go check it out 😝
Are santa cruz good?
@hobbit lad yo aight bet thanks
how dare y ok u come at creature like that
@hobbit lad yo yeah I wasn't a huge fan of the Creature board I had. I ended up just giving the deck to a friend cause I didn't really like it
Ben, you've got so many tricks under your belt. Also, i'll never tire of watching you biff tre flips. LOL
3 flips = random skater
Your a great skater man give me hope at 30 years old to relearn my old tricks
Your videos and reviews are unique they dont feel like your topical RUclips video super good keep up the good work
I love FA/Hockey boards because they seem to be the most consistent. The shape and concave are almost always the same. I haven't rode any other board company for like 2 years.
alan ng I just bought one I hope I like it 🤞
I like Square noses you should try a welcome deck like the sledgehammer
Thanks have been enjoying your videos a lot! It would be great to see a video about the difference between smal tails vs bigger ones, and wider decks vs. narrower! thanks!
There's no such thing as better or worse when it comes to skateboard shapes. It's only what you prefer
Sooo what you’re essentially saying is that there are better and worse skateboard shapes since it’s all subjective
I just bought an 8.5 and it has the craziest concave I've seen since adrenaline skateboards were around.
Actually feels like a blend of my old Capital Ricky O, and my old Adrenaline Chris Senn deck from the early 2000's.
Man Adrenaline had such steep concave, actually hard to get used to tbh. But w the Capital shape influx in this Hockey it's sick, and the pop is SNAPPY!
Can you make a vid on welcome skateboards? I’d like to hear your opinion on their sizes and shapes!
I was about to comment the same thing! I'd love to see what Ben has to say about them, because I've been skating a couple of them every now and then
A review of the Dark Lord shape, Sledgehammer shape, or Nora’s board would be sweet.
I just recently set up Nora’s model and I’m loving how it skates
Skating a townley 8,5 enera. So much fun to mess around with and so satisfying to look down and not see a regular popsicle like every other board i've had
Chriisan townleys shape is called enera
I saw what you did there with the "blunt party". Congratulations to the Raptors!
Been skating louie Lopez new pro model, best shape ever!
which color did u get?
Shape of FA Is sus boi
I had a Louie too great board but it snapped
I have a hard time skating anything thinner than 8.5. It makes me feel unstable. How tall are you? What size shoe do you wear?
Sure I have a question! Do you like current skate shoes better or did you prefer the chunkier ones from back in the day? like the osiris d3, etc.
old ones
@@Swakksmdnwkakbdbcbxbjaja I was really into Fallens back in like 2005. Also Adio made some of the best shoes.
Fallen is back fret no more
Been wearing Osiris high tops for over a decade now. Won’t wear anything else. The d3s are ugly as fuck but we’re quite practical, especially when you’re first learning to skate like I was
The old globes were good. Nike sb zoom team edition was the all time best skate shoe for me
Something worth noting about big noses is I feel they have a longer functional lifespan because as the side edges of the nose get bashed and worn down, the radius tapers and by the time you get super razor tail, the shape would resemble something like a more standard popsicle shape.
Not really because the tails are super mellow to begin with
Any tips on time management and juggling the job, the wife and kids, and trying to still skate as much as possible? I feel the older I'm getting the more I want to skate but the time isn't there, adulting sucks.
Good question:)
Just ordered the FA 1984 deck, been looking at these shapes for a second now
Jimmy Rivera same I have it set up just skating my habitat board rn
I ride FA and WKND for their shorter wheelbase on a wider board. I have a theory that the square nose and tail makes your flip tricks super accurate, less curve for the board to turn, like if you were to pop a kickflip in the scooping position
I came up with an idea with blunts that fakie front blunt would be easier, didnt wax and ate shit on the first try after getting in near perfect half cab into position. Couldnt even do a halfcab after due to fear. I'll give it another try soon.
Damn Ben you a monster! Sick killer skating man, I love your smiths and kooks reminds me of koston and Dan
I've never had a FA or Quasi, but have been skating Deluxe boards (Anti-Hero, Real, Krooked) for a while. You might like one of their Full-Shape boards. Deluxe boards got a shit-ton of pop.
I love the DLX full shapes even more than these.
are dlx boards light? or heavier
The Donovan “long trip/eyes without a face” board is the best feeling board on my feet, that I’ve ever experienced. Thing is… I haven’t gotten too technical with it because I have like 4 different setups. It seems to flip a little slow, but when I’m feeling it… that board feels like having some Jordan 13s on then they first came out hahaha.
Welcome has that kind style. I like the way they feel too. Baker is a great board to ride. Bird house is great. I need a new board.
nice skating, looks like an oj elites wheel review is coming, maybe. been eyeing some 54mm hardlines.
I'm curious how they perform, I've yet to see anyone actually review them properly
Got a squared nose and tail on my baker b2 deck. I hate it. I’m switching back to normal shape
PhaseSkater is it that bad?
ricerrr ツ yeah. I’m uploading a review on it later today actually. It’s not for my style of skating. I prefer flip tricks and manual tricks. The wide squared nose and tail are great for riding transition or doing noseslides and tailslides, but that’s about it. Depends on your riding style.
PhaseSkater so is it harder to do flip tricks?
ricerrr ツ yes. Especially ones that rotate like 360 flips. Kickflips are clunkier and you have to relearn and adjust how you flick or else they will turn into 90 flips or sometimes catch your foot. Squared nose and tail definitely aren’t for skaters who like to do flip tricks or get technical
I learned kickflips ima FA board and tre flips, it’s all about preference honestly
I've always felt FA has such a genuine approach to skateboarding. They don't necessarily choose "the best" skaters, but their favorites (which are honestly the best imho). I genuinely feel they aren't in it for profit, but really for their enjoyment. For that motive, I would honestly skate a shape I disliked , just to support them. Ironically, I love their shapes... and think their skaters are the best.
Wow.....
@@J.G.Wentworth69420yeah, that aged...well. Atleast i hope FA takes a turn for the better with Caples and Jake now on the team
i've been skating fa decks for a while and I can tell you everything is good besides the fact that fa decks pop gets ruined in like a week
I just bought my first board and it's an FA, wtf is a "pop" lol
@@smevan2428 I don’t know if you still need it but the pop is the motion where you slam the tail/nose on the ground, when a boards loses its pop it means that it doesn’t bounce as high or as good as before
I love right trucks, I ride Indy classics, double tight, I want to try avenue trucks, my main problem with loose Trucks is speed wobble, as I am always hill bombing, and riding really fast, all day, every day, I also like the fact that right Trucks cause me less ankle strain...
...do you think I will be able to get used to avenue? How tight can they go? How much speed and pop will it increase? Worth it?
Peace from a Londoner in Lima (currently) OG skater born 1975, reborn in the South bank, officially, in 1986
THANK YOU for addressing the weight issue! I always thought i was the only one that noticed how some decks just felt 'crispier' where others felt heavier even though theyd have the same measurements/brand etc. So is it the actual process or the materials when it comes to the pressing and how it affects weight of the deck?
what fa decks are on the lighter side?
I tried going back but I can’t turn back from a 8.5 FA board. Love the wide nose
Hey Ben, I’m wondering about your board rotation. How often do you witch between different boards and trucks? I tend to agree with all your opinions but the idea of switching boards and trucks so frequently is crazy to me. Is it because you match the wheelbase of the board with the trucks that you are able to switch between brands easier?
TRY A WKND BOARD, they also have a big nose and personally my favorite deck I’ve ridden so far
Yeah my WKND 8.5 was a great board, skated it a lot last summer
I just got one of those bad boys
I think you'd really enjoy a WKND deck. They're very similar if not the same shape as an FA. I've been skating all WKND decks lately. I went stupid and bought like 6 at once lol
You should try out a deck from welcome, they have some interesting shapes that still ride pretty normal. I got one of their amulet board shapes and i think i like it better than regular decks for doing ollies up and down stuff.
Hey Ben, got some barely used Tensor ATG's (their redesign) I'm willing to mail you for review. Would love to hear your thoughts on them. I personally think they're a big improvement over their previous non-turny models. Still prefer Indy or Thunder though. You got a PO box?
Are you Canadian what a perfect video great skating and cool simple park
Yeah he’s in Vancouver
Love your videos man. So informative. Just started doing skate product reviews w/ skating on my channel. I’d say mine are halfway decent- how do you get people to actually view the content? Lol.
Good reviews man keep up the good work! fun videos.👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻
How can you find out which FA boards are pressed where? Mine weighs slightly over 1350g and it does feel a little heavy, so I assume its ps pressed.
The different shaped nose doesn't really bother me much or make much of a difference. What I absolutely hate is a deck that has a smaller tail and a big nose. The tail and nose should be symmetrical!
Good old fashioned a-symmetrical like the early 90s Blind decks.
Like Paul Schmitt said on his 9 club interview "If you had a pocket knife with two blades, would you want them the same or different."
Once again Ben great video.
I like the look of the shape... Reminds me of an Illuminati deck I had in like 97 maybe.
Buying an FA deck based purely on this video. Thanks for the rad reviews
To be honest I think it's just different
Great video Ben... I like how you explain what this board shape does...makes me wanna skate that type of board with a different mindstate/perspective 💪
What park is that with the ledge followed by the quarter? I ask because I noticed you’re in Vancouver in one of the clips. Haven’t skated in years. Might pick up a complete here soon tho.
Anybody remember that James Kelch board that had a huge nose 20 years ago? I had that board handed down that my pal rode. We had allot of fun on that board.
Sick video! Do you have a bearing review at all ? New to the channel and starting to skate again after about 5 years and curious to know if reds and bone swiss are still the best bearings out there 🤘🏼🔥
this review became the perfect noseblunt tutorial. perfect like all the other content
I absolutely love simple parks like that! I hate when there is a huge plaza with no normal rails or ledges just kinked, curved, down stairs etc only. I have encountered it way too many times. Good video thanks!
:)
I was watching an old video where u talk about how skateboards are pressed in Mexico..by chance do you have that companies info. Like what city and company name? Thank you. Very informative videos keep it up.
Bareback/generator or ps stix
New subscriber here, your videos are super helpful. Please make a video with a 8.75 deck with 169 independents
Quasi has nice similar squared kind of shapes , they're beautiful lol
I survived
gx1000 are the same
@@tweekedmobb1789 fuck yeah I was thinking about buying a gx1000 board at some point
I ride creature (8.6 shape) and i do transiston skating mostly. Do u think id even notice?
I've heard that the newly designed Tensor Maglite ATG trucks are better than every other truck out there including Indys. The dude's review on YT said they even turn better, and his Maglites were hella grinded in all forms. Review please???
Guy, you know the answer, "it's really personal preference, yada yada." But I'll tell ya, hell yes they are. Indy Forged Titaniums now replaced w Maglite ATG truck (don't care if Maglite "extends" the board wheelbase a bit--you'll waste a little energy adjusting to the new pop timing but you'll waste WAAAAY less energy doing so). I also rode the Maglite Lo's. Got used to those on everything but I had to workaround the kingpin that wasn't 5mm lower like the new ATG. The lo's were still a great truck, but if you're heavier / ride those big tires / or want tight trucks I had to circumvent the Maglight lo bushings with another solution which actually worked well (for those >= 200 lbs): hard longboard barrel bushing on roadside; smaller bones conical bushing on boardside. Made the turning to the guys riding Thunder Hollow Lights have no complaints about how the deck handled (and these trucks were lo's mind you). It'll be a while before you hear any Indy guy say the Tensor Maglight ATG's turn better. Dude, they do.
@@guyfromthatthing1017 Interesting dude. Sounds like the Maglites are a more precise and well rounded Thunder then huh?
I rode for atm back in 2000 and the nose on those boards was identical to that. I liked them cause the nollie/switch pop was massive, other than that i just traded them for shop boards from the local shop i rode for.
I had an atm in around 97 and yes, it had a huge nose!
The way the tail is mellower than the nose reminds me of the OG alien workshop and habitat boards. I haven’t skated AWS or Habitat since I was in highschool so idk if it’s the same but I definitely remember the AWS and Habitat boards always have steeper noses and mellow tails while the brands I skated typically had similar steepness from nose to tail. I also remember AWS/Habitat boards feeling thicker than boards used which I typically stuck with Flip or Chocolate boards. I know different skaters have their own shape but I definitely remember that about AWS/Habitat which makes sense why FA has the same deal since Dill and AVE both rode that type of steeper nose board for decades. I also remember Flip boards being super similar to Baker boards in that they has mellower nose and tails, thinner than AWS/Habitat and more similar nose and tail shape like a traditional popsicle being all symmetrical. Then I remember Girl or Chocolate boards for a certain pro having a round nose but super sharp pointy tail which I wanna say it was Marc Johnson’s boards but don’t quote me on that. Also the same goes for Element but I felt like all Element boards had the super sharp tail shape with a rounded nose but idk man Element just never won me over. Their boards felt weak and even with gimmicks like the carbon fiber core it would break just as if not easier than normal boards. Do you guys recall any other brands that have specific shapes and styles?
Have you tried the Baker B2 steep concave decks? Looks similar. I've been debating on trying them
Really like the shape, I think it's more stable on the pop
agreed. with other boards/ traditional shape, I sometimes “miss my pop” or i will ollie and the board does not catch my front foot. FA and hockey boards have always been completely perfect for me. the best
What’s your favorite truck and wheel setup currently
what wheels on this setup? could be cool to say what set up in each vid ;) for us setup nerds
How do you get over the fear of slamming. I am 44 and just started skating again after about 20 years. I had a bad ankle injury and it's hard not to think about tweeking my ankle. Your progression is awesome.
check out dr kyle brown on instagram. he has a lot of ankle strengthening exercises on his page(along with other stuff) that helped me a lot. i never roll my ankle anymore
im always so jealous of your flat ground, so on point
how are Blind Decks compared to DLX Decks ? Should I give Blind Decks a Try ?
Never skated a DLX deck,but I love my Blind decks. Always have great pop and concave. Quite durable too.
@@trontosaurusrex9532 Thank you ! I ordered TJ Rogers 8.0 Deck. Would you use Venture Lows , Destructo Meds , or High ones on this Deck ? I have already a pair High Indys for an 8.0 Deck. Just corious
@@maniacmike8613 I have Venture lows on mine with some 86a Ricta Clouds for my messed up streets and sidewalks where I live. I skate right over cracks and uneven sidewalks no problem.
I liked a shop deck from Genesis boarshop in Cali. Im pretty sure thats almost the same shape as the FA boards with a big kinda squared nose
this sounds like the deck for me. i like a shorter wheelbase, square noses seem more stable to me, and mellower tail than nose is perfect because i always get ghost pop. might have to try one. only thing missing for it to be perfect is those scoopy wings
that switch frontside flip was so clean
There are a lot of board companies that make less narrowed nose and tail boards, with a mellower tail. You could check out some Flip boards, or a Libtech has that shape. Girl and Chocolate both have very similar shapes as well.
excellent video ben, ( and you rip too. good stuff sir) . interesting … im over 30 now and as the years go on I have moved from (lol)7.5 chocolate Stevie Williams boards to 8.15 anything really but I always fuck about with the shape these days but for some reason i stick to tapered tails. i think you just helped me move away from that ( i always thought maybe its better for 3 shoves and tre flips but maybe not
with the small tails on the FA decks would it be easier to ride it with thunder trucks instead of the independents
half of that manny pad being painted like a road was tripping me out. nice review!
How often do you skate and for how long? I do hour a day during my lunch break, but the progress to go back to all the tricks I had is slow.
love a squarish shape, but tougher to get the scoop on a tre need a little adjustment
resQjack that’s the problem I had, so I switched to a Baker to get more consistent then go back to FA. It’s weird that I can impossible better on FA but it was so hard to tre flip for me.
@@AbandonedRaven yeah, there's a dude at my local park that rides this shape and he's insanely consistent with his impossibles
Did this FA deck help you do frontside crook? That's the real question. Thanks for another great vid Ben. Additional question since you are doing QA, what are some methods or ideas to get yourself out of slumps or long periods trying to learn new tricks.
It did not help me front crook. It seems nothing can help me there:(
I just got a Kevin Bradley 8 inch and I normally skate FA with thunders but this time around I put on some 5.6 venture standard and I was getting mad ghost pop. On top of that the board felt a little heavy, I don’t know if it was the trucks, paint on the board or too much glue in the deck.
The trucks
@@bendegros I should’ve figured. I put on my 147 hollow kingpin (technically, they’re standards but I switched the baseplate) it made it more better to control, and not get any ghost pop like I did with the highs. Never realized how steep FA boards are.
I feel like Fast Forward shop decks were like that. What shoe size are you bro??
different is definetly more fun, i rode a shaped 8.6 oskar rozenberg polar board, super fun to ride, looked mike something that they skated in the early 90's. square tail and a super tapered nose. was nice to ride something different, but feels even better to get back to some normal boards after
I use the same shape. Tom asta says in a video he prefers the tapered shape but he’s also got smaller feet yet doesn’t exactly ride a smaller board. I guess it depends on your feet and how they respond to the deck. What shape wheels do you prefer tho?
Spitfire classics
Should i put some venture 5.6 hollows on a hockey/FA deck? I skate 8,25 and i currently have 144 mid indys
ive been skating everday for about 10 years and FA has been the only thing ive been riding for a min and when i skate switch i skate my nose and it feels so crisp
have you ever tried a wknd board? What do you think of their shapes, they have some of my favorites
I skated a WKND deck and it was really good, they basically took the FA/Hockey/Quasi shape
Not yet.
Ben Degros I personally prefer their shape over the fa shapes , i’ve tried em both and my tres just seem to get a better scoop on the wknd shape
Ben Degros you definitely try one, I highly recommend, it’s the same manufacturer !
soydave1988 I’ve had a couple of quasi boards and i loved em
I'm going to give Adam Cassidy a board for you to try - what's your preferred size? Are you as picky as he is for steep concave? Maybe I'll give you the one shape that he always likes and see what you think. Rad as always
Do it! I'm not as fussy as Adam. Send me an 8.38. I have a stack of 8 inch decks but I like wider decks sometimes. It would be a great excuse to session with him. I used to see him at Thompson all the time when he was living close by.
And thank you!
it would be cool too see you do a review on a shaped board id love too here what you think about how it is too ride compared too what you normally like
What would be your ideal skateboard? (Width, length, shape, kick, depth of concave, etc.)
What’s your favourite Vancouver skatepark??
How did you find out who pressed the decks? 🙆🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
A question internet dont seem to find answer for. How mutch weight different do you recon is between a 8.2 deck and 8.75?