TecSpy.com Michael Erskine's Domain

Union Blank Decks

I went down to my local skate shop today to get another Union blank: I've been riding these for about the past 5 years (maybe longer) with the odd SouthStar blank thrown in there when they're out of stock and one pro model I can remember: a Rodney Mullen (I thought the Mutt deserved my cash!).

I'd recommend these to anyone who rides the standard popsickle shape, as in my experience they're exactly the same in shape, concave, pop, stiffness, etc. as anything else you might choose - just cheaper. They last well too: I'm 13 stone and I ride street, ramp, bowls, freestyle, what-have-you, and I don't snap 'em (even though I'm partial to the big fakie ollie disaster), they tend to need replacing when I've worn the tail down and it starts to de-laminate.

Here's the stats of my usual stick...
7 5/8" or 7 3/4" wide
7" nose
7" tail
14" wheelbase
1196g weight (with tape)
£20 a pop from my local (with tape)

The sides are pretty straight: I do a lot of rail freestyle shenanigans and both the width of the board and the shape of the rails are quite important to me. The nose and tail are almost indistinguishable and in my opinion that's the way it should be - I don't much care for having to know the difference and make adjustments when doing a trick. When I've ridden boards that have nose and tail that differ say in length or kick, it just puts me right off when it's not totally obvious - y'know, I ride an old 80's 30x10 fishtail board too but there's no mistaking which way round the board is!