Product Blog: Fatpap – Riptape
September 30, 2018 by MartinB. | 1:14 pm
I remember the times when BRR dropped their first riptape. The sheets were precut sheets for Tech Decks and the old Berlinwood G1 decks. Some couple of (maybe) years Katha dropped her FBS tape. For several years these two sorts of tape were the only tapes you can get and the only tapes you could really use with a great performance.
In the fingerboard scene everything changed, Back in the days you got only a few deck/wheel/truck companies. In these days and the days of Instagram there are a lot more fingerboarding companies for every product. Hate it or love it.
Tape companies are growing on daily basis, just because a lot of kids out there thinking about making some quick money with foamtape. If you are a real fingerboarder you should know: tape is not tape. You need a good one. The right one. One with great performance and grip.
Today we will take a look at Fatpap. Fatpap is a tape company from the US offering tape for you fingerboard and handboard. Lets have a look at it:
Shape:
Sheet Dimensions:
Thickness: 1mm
Width: 38mm
Length: 110mm
More:
And one more:
At Fatpap you can get three different collors of tape. You can get the classic black one, mortar grey and brick red tape. Every color has the same thickness and the sheets have always the same dimensions.
While checking out the sheets I´ve noticed, that the colors perform not the same:
Classic Black: The classic black tape got pores like most of the other tapes on the market. It´s solid black and grippy. The tape is not as soft as FBS and reminds me on the classic BRR tape just with more pores.
Mortar Grey: The grey one feels soft. You don´t feel pores and you even can´t see them. The grey tape is not as grippy as the black one but in my opinion it feels softer than the black one.
Brick Red: The brick red tape feels as hard as the black one and you don´t feel pores like on the grey one. So it seems to be like the brick red tape is a mix of the grey and the black one.
On the Fatpap website there is no information about the softness of the tape. Maybe these impressions about the tapes are only my personal feeling!? I don´t know. Get some sheets and try it on your own! Maybe the grey and red tape needs some more time wearing in.
I really like the fact that Fatpap is offering colored tape. This is not the first company doing this and probably not the last one. On my next setup I will try out the grey tape, just because I really like grey as color for everything.
You can get in contact with Fatpap on Instagram: @fatpap.griptape and on their website: click! You could order single sheets and big packs in every selection of colors you like. Just get what you need!
THX a lot for the tape boiiiiii!
All images are hosted on my flickr: Click!
The camera I´ve used for these pictures ► http://bit.ly/fingerboardtvcamera
The lens I´ve used for these pictures ► http://bit.ly/fingerboardtvmacro
-o-
Product Blog: Unique Decks – Carapace Cruiser
September 29, 2018 by MartinB. | 2:52 pm
I really like to get my hands on new fingerboarding products I haven´t seen before espescially when I follow the owner/the company on every channel. Unique Decks form Portland (OR) is not new to the scene but Unique is such a company. I´m a big fan of Mallorys work with Unique Decks since the company was started in 2011. I was really really happy when a package from Mallory arrived at my mailbox. The word unique means “einzigartig” in german. And this is really it. You won´t find a brand like Unique in the fingerboard scene more than once. There are many companies that want to be cool and hyped. The #uniquegang thing is hype, and cool and awesome since ever! Be cool and read this post!
The package contained two decks. Today we will take a look at the first one. Check out this Carapace Cruiser from Unique:
The bottom ply is made from solid maple wood. The logos on the deck are real wear logos!
Shape:
The shape of the deck is the “Hatchling” shape. You can get Unique decks in this shape, the “Nesting” and the “Juvie” shape. This deck is about solid 34,4mm wide (34.4x96mm Carapace shape). Check out the difference between Unique shapes:
As you probably can see, the Hatchling is the lowest shape you can get at Unique Decks.
Hatchling mold – “Our shortest deck is designed to show off your tactile skill. Short mellow kicks speed up your tricks and the shortened wheelbase increases your turning radius. Technical and agile, the Hatchling is a cult favorite.”
More:
Footage:
And one more:
You´re wondering how and why Mallory started Unique? This is the answer:
“I first started making my own fingerboards when I was in the sixth grade. As I learned to ollie and kickflip, I was also learning how to make my own homemade fingerboards. I started by making decks out of index cards, craft glue, and fingernail polish. I would glue my trucks on and trade them with other kids at school. My love of making fingerboards grew along with my love for the hobby itself. Making fingerboard decks was another avenue to channel my creativity.
As I got better at fingerboarding, I got more and more invested into the professional fingerboard community. My love of making decks continued and I started using more professional methods. My decks didn’t start out perfect, but I strove to improve with every board I made.
I officially opened Unique Decks in 2011 from my parent’s garage. I wanted to craft the best performing specialty fingerboards possible. Split plies, hand painted decks, and one-of-one graphics were some of the one of a kind boards I started selling. I was improving my methods and growing a customer base. Along the way I learned how to turn my passion into something that other people were also excited about. I started to offer more options for different preferences, all while staying true to the high standards of Unique.
I have that same mentality today. I put the same amount of love and passion into every board I make, only now with the highest manufacturing standards. I have found the best methods to create the highest performing fingerboard possible. Unique is my creative outlet in so many ways. I hope that I can share my passion for fingerboarding with the community by creating the best high-performance fingerboards for you to use and grow creatively. When you ride a Unique, you are supporting a genuine passion for fingerboarding.
Thank you so much for your continued support!”
– Mallory
Such a long dedication to the fingerboard scene is only one reason to support Mallory and Unique. Getting a fancy, cool and well done fingerboard should be another good reason. The craftmanship on this deck is perfect. The shape is well done and you can really see the years of experience. Mallory only produces small batches and when the stock is available the decks are sold out really quick. This deck is made from five plies of hand dyed maple veneer with perfectly aligned holes and countersinks, some crispy and responsive pop an a genuine skateboard heat transfer graphics. The graphic wears off as realistic as possbile. These Carapace decks are 34,4mm wide with a square tapered nose and tail. Pretty fancy, huh? These decks are perfect for all tech tricks, but with that comfy cruiser feeling. So if you´re are a tech rider and need a pretty unique fingerboard you should get such a deck. BTW the name “Carapace” is derived from the scientific name for a turtle shell. I like turtles.
At the moment there are a few cruisers left in stock. Be quick and get one: Click! There is no stock announcement at the moment, but the next one will be up hopefully soon. Due to high demand, the boards are only available while supplies last. Be aware of the upcoming stock releases so you can grab the deck you’ve been eyeing. Subscribe to the mailing list on the unique website, follow @uniquedecks on Instagram, and check the website regularly for stock updates: Click!
THX a lot Mallory for this package. Just keep your creative outlet going like this. I´m a big fan of your work and the decks I have in my hand proved, that I wasn´t wrong. The second review will be up soon.
All images are hosted on my flickr: Click!
The camera I´ve used for these pictures ► http://bit.ly/fingerboardtvcamera
The lens I´ve used for these pictures ► http://bit.ly/fingerboardtvmacro
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