Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Steve's Twin Keel "The Panacea"
Steve called me a couple weeks ago wondering if I would be interested in trying to replicate a very special fish from another shaper. He mentioned that he has purchased a couple replacements from the original shaper and was not happy with either shape. He had also mentioned that he has been trying to get this shape replicated from a whole list of "fish" shapers up and down the Ca coast to no avail.
Sensing his frustration of not finding an able shaper to "get close" or find a decent "interpretation" of his said "Magic Fish" shape. After speaking to Steve at length and finding out that he has been surfing that same haunts as I have over the years I realized that he was very knowledgeable about shapes and what works for him. I then realized that there must be something unique about this shape that was not so easily shaped, my interest in his "Magic Fish" was piqued, I had to take a look at what this shape was about.
Sensing his frustration of not finding an able shaper to "get close" or find a decent "interpretation" of his said "Magic Fish" shape. After speaking to Steve at length and finding out that he has been surfing that same haunts as I have over the years I realized that he was very knowledgeable about shapes and what works for him. I then realized that there must be something unique about this shape that was not so easily shaped, my interest in his "Magic Fish" was piqued, I had to take a look at what this shape was about.
After analyzing the shape, there were many unique areas of the shape that would be difficult to reproduce from stock blanks available. I always begin analyzing a shape by the deck rocker as this is where the entire foundation of the shape begins. This is where most shapers would start by analyzing the bottom rocker first with out taking into consideration the deck rocker after the fact. Both top and bottom rockers need work to work in unison together, a shift of an 1/8" forward or backward will make or break a "magic shape". The top and bottom rockers need to be aligned precisely. All other elements are critical but I have found this is the most critical, rail foil, bottom, contours, etc,.. not as much.
With the unique nose rocker and the length at over 6'10" and +12" width from tip to tip / fish swallow no stock blanks were available. A custom rockered blank was in order so, I asked Steve we should add some style points since we have to custom order a blank. He decided on a triple stringer wedge-cut with 1/8" cedar. So a pre shape lay out was in order to get the tips of the swallows aligned precisely with wedge cut stringers. Thanks to Jeff Holtby and the guys at USBlanks they nailed the glue-up. With a wedge glue up being just a few degrees off on the angle cuts will sour any plans of your tips being in the precise location.
I hope I nailed the shape, fingers crossed. Proof is in the pudding, atleast that's what Steve told me.... We'll see.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Terrence's custom Super Dyna-Glyde
Update from Terence 7/13/10
Wayne,
I've surfed my SDG three times. The first session was in wind blown crap: result, promising. The second session was in 4' to 6' surf with increasing wind: result, fun. Third session was today in 10' swell with 13 second period in windy but ok conditions: result, lots of Dyna with just a touch of Glyde. Today's session proved to me why I was attracted to the SDG design. The looseness and speed of the quad was amazing. I scorched through sectioning walls and spurted ahead of sections, even into a stiff headwind. This is the best longboard I've surfed. You have a very satisfied customer.
Terence A
GB, Oregon
Kawika's Bryd-Fish II w/ Scalloped Hulls
Update from Kawika 6/25/10
Text message from Kawika;
Wayne just got out of the water and all I can say is WOW! Paddles extremely well and turns on a dime.
Thank you.
Another update from Kawika 6/26/10 second session on the new Bryd-Fish II
Wayne,Just got out of the water with my 2nd session with the new board and all I can say is that I am very happy with the finished board.The board rides so well it's confidence inspiring. It fells like it's an extension of my feet. Surfing has become really fun again and with this new board I am looking forward to progressing my surfing even further.
Thank you.
Kawika
Kawika, Thanks for taking the time to post your feed back. Coming from someone that has probably owned and surfed as many shapes from virtually every known underground shaper and every top retail boards and everything inbetween, I honestly do not know anyone, pro or non pro to have your insight of nearly every modern shape and shaper out there. Your positive feedback means alot, coming from your low-key nature. Thank you. W>
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Greg's custom Mush Buster
Greg, back from Oceanworks and the board looks great. Jim and the crew did a great job! Hollar if you are in the area.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Preview of Terrence's custom Dyna-Glyde
Update from Terence 7/13/10
Wayne,
I've surfed my SDG three times. The first session was in wind blown crap: result, promising. The second session was in 4' to 6' surf with increasing wind: result, fun. Third session was today in 10' swell with 13 second period in windy but ok conditions: result, lots of Dyna with just a touch of Glyde. Today's session proved to me why I was attracted to the SDG design. The looseness and speed of the quad was amazing. I scorched through sectioning walls and spurted ahead of sections, even into a stiff headwind. This is the best longboard I've surfed. You have a very satisfied customer.
Terence A
Oregon
Gregs custom Step-Down The "Tanto"
Gregs custom Step-Back The "Tanto" ready for some mainland Mex action.
The Samurai "Tanto" was a small concealed single or double edged knife / dagger. It was the smallest of the double back-up to the "Katana" the largest sword and mid-sized "Wakizashi". The Katana and the Wakizashi together were called the "Daisho".
The Tanto was designed primarily as a stabbing instrument, but the edges can be used to slash as well. The "Katana", "Wakizashi", and "Tanto" will be a series of high-performance oriented wave slashing weapons for serious waves. I thought the Tanto and the Samurai sword moniker would be suited for these series of shapes.
The Samurai "Tanto" was a small concealed single or double edged knife / dagger. It was the smallest of the double back-up to the "Katana" the largest sword and mid-sized "Wakizashi". The Katana and the Wakizashi together were called the "Daisho".
The Tanto was designed primarily as a stabbing instrument, but the edges can be used to slash as well. The "Katana", "Wakizashi", and "Tanto" will be a series of high-performance oriented wave slashing weapons for serious waves. I thought the Tanto and the Samurai sword moniker would be suited for these series of shapes.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Preview of Greg's Mush Buster
Greg, I found an extra blank after I emailed you last nite. I went ahead and stayed late and shaped your MB so it will be ready for Jim from Oceanworks in the morning. If all goes as planned should be ready next week Weds 6/16/10.
Preview of Steve's new / old Modern Noserider
Steve purchased a used longboard from a neighbor of mine who had orginally purchased the board back in 1999. Steve has been on this shape for a few years now and loves the shape and wanted the exact shape but 2" longer and 1/4" thicker.
After I did some research on the board, I found that the board was digitized 11 years ago and I have not shaped another board like this since this orginal custom shape 11 years ago.
Strange feeling, It's like finding a cherished childhood item lost years ago that was erased from my memory banks. All the old feelings and memories come rushing back. I have hundreds if not thousands of custom shapes that I have scanned and digitized that have not been shaped since I have digitized them. I keep a digitized record of all my customs even if I plan on shaping them in the future or not. I need to take the time and review my old shapes and files of past shapes, being progressive by nature I generally don't bother to look back. But after seeing this shape again. it's nice to see some old friends again.
After I did some research on the board, I found that the board was digitized 11 years ago and I have not shaped another board like this since this orginal custom shape 11 years ago.
Strange feeling, It's like finding a cherished childhood item lost years ago that was erased from my memory banks. All the old feelings and memories come rushing back. I have hundreds if not thousands of custom shapes that I have scanned and digitized that have not been shaped since I have digitized them. I keep a digitized record of all my customs even if I plan on shaping them in the future or not. I need to take the time and review my old shapes and files of past shapes, being progressive by nature I generally don't bother to look back. But after seeing this shape again. it's nice to see some old friends again.
Preview of Steve's new Skate model
Steve decided to order a new custom after discussing his ideas and issues he's had with his CI Biscuits and Pods. Both designs look great aesthetically and perform well, but their performance is limited to decent to good wave quality to get the most out of those shapes. At that point, the performance tri-fin would be ideal.
By appearance to the untrained eye the Pod and Biscuit shapes look as if they would grovel well by the appearance of the outlines. Having heard this from many dissapointed owners, I have been contemplating this design for awhile now. Steve was the impetus to design it.
Steve wanted to maintain the positives attributes of both shapes and negate the hang-ups he's experienced with both shapes, and wanted something custom for the condtions of his home break. I hand shaped this new master shape to be digitized ... the Skate
The Skate incorporates unique rails in the nose area. Thin boxy rails with a definate deck edges blending into progressive rails mid section to modern boxy tail.
Bottom is neutral ie, subtle double concaves up through mid section. Subtle double to singe concaves and some other subtle tweaks through the rail fin area.
By appearance to the untrained eye the Pod and Biscuit shapes look as if they would grovel well by the appearance of the outlines. Having heard this from many dissapointed owners, I have been contemplating this design for awhile now. Steve was the impetus to design it.
Steve wanted to maintain the positives attributes of both shapes and negate the hang-ups he's experienced with both shapes, and wanted something custom for the condtions of his home break. I hand shaped this new master shape to be digitized ... the Skate
The Skate incorporates unique rails in the nose area. Thin boxy rails with a definate deck edges blending into progressive rails mid section to modern boxy tail.
Bottom is neutral ie, subtle double concaves up through mid section. Subtle double to singe concaves and some other subtle tweaks through the rail fin area.
Preview of Kawika's custom Bryd-Fish ll Quad
Kawika dropped by the shop the other day and noticed Stuarts new Bryd-Fish on the racks. After a good fondling and eyeballing on the racks he wanted one of his own, but with some customizing and some style points of his own.
This is a shot of the Scalloped concaves that were shaped in by the old school 3 axis method (eyes, hand, and brain). After a good massaging this is what it looked like. The concaves and edges have been compensated for the Futures boxes.
This shot is what Kawika's shape looks like after a lengthy digitizing of Stuart's shape after the concaves were hand shaped. This is what the new school 3d method looks like (3 axis x,y,z cnc method). This is after the board was scaled down 14" in length an added 1/2" in width and an added .350" in thickness. Notice the Futures fin box compensated area that has a plateau area.
Stuarts came in at 8'4" x 21 1/2" x 2.65"
Kawikas at 7' x 22" x 3.0"
Stuarts bottom.
Kawikas bottom.
Deck rails under lights.
This is a shot of the Scalloped concaves that were shaped in by the old school 3 axis method (eyes, hand, and brain). After a good massaging this is what it looked like. The concaves and edges have been compensated for the Futures boxes.
This shot is what Kawika's shape looks like after a lengthy digitizing of Stuart's shape after the concaves were hand shaped. This is what the new school 3d method looks like (3 axis x,y,z cnc method). This is after the board was scaled down 14" in length an added 1/2" in width and an added .350" in thickness. Notice the Futures fin box compensated area that has a plateau area.
Stuarts came in at 8'4" x 21 1/2" x 2.65"
Kawikas at 7' x 22" x 3.0"
Stuarts bottom.
Kawikas bottom.
Deck rails under lights.
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