So, here's my review.
Shipping took around a week, which is good shipping coming from abroad, he dispatched it really quickly, so that was all good. It came nicely packaged in a bubble mailer, wrapped in bubble wrap inside the mailer, so the deck was in perfect condition when it arrived. 10/10
First impressions of the deck were that it was really nice, and exactly how I hoped it'd be. The shape looked amazing, and the plies were really nice, especially the maple bottom. The rounding was perfect and consistent throughout the whole deck. The lacquer was really shiny and nicely done, however, there was one small lacquer bubble on the tail, and to touch at first the lacquer was a bit 'tacky', for lack of a better word, but, the next day it was fine. I think that 'tacky' feeling was because the deck was finished like a day before he sent it off to me, and obviously it couldn't dry in a bubble mailer. Once it was dry, it was just smooth shiny lacquer. 9/10
Craftsmanship was really nice, great rounding, shape was even, defined, even though its a fairly mellow deck (some mellow decks can end up looking like 'banana' shape, and, thats not good), and the holes were perfect. Setting up the deck was easy as the deck is really nice and thin, in a good way. If you've ever used a g12 you'll know how they're thin, which really helps screws go all the way through the truck holes. At the same time however, this deck is really strong, so its a perfect combination of thickness and strength. 10/10
Performance wise, I cant even begin to explain this deck. Its just too good. The shape, being very similar to a g12, but, with slightly more concave, and thus slightly more defined dips. Its still a very mellow concave, but it flows more than a g12 (not that g12s aren't amazing decks, its just a reference point). The deck is 30mm wide, which gives me soo much control on all my tricks, catching things is even easier, and riding a mini ramp is soo much smoother. Pop wise though.. I cant explain what this deck has done to my fingerboarding without wanting to bounce up and down and clap like an excited child. Its got THE most pop I've ever used. Beats every deck, ever, hands down. Unlike some decks with lots of pop, its light too. I have no idea how there is soo much pop packed into this deck, its something you have to just try to fully experience and understand. The nose is amazing, because all my nollie/switch tricks have not only gained soo much consistency and control, but height too. Tricks that'd take me 5 tries on any other deck I can pull first try on this. One note about the lacquer, whilst using it on surfaces like my benches (which are painted wood), and outside stuff, the lacquer hasn't worn off, but teeny marks from what you've been riding are left on the deck, until they rub off from riding something else. You can rub them away also with your finger to make the deck look brand new, but, I think with the maple bottom ply, it looks really cool to have some teeny wear 'marks' (and they're not scratches in the lacquer at all, which is good). Some people might not like that soo much though, but, as I say, they're not permanent. 9.5/10
Overall, its really hard to find something negative to say about this deck, other than the slight thing I just said about the lacquer. I think on a smooth non homemade obstacle (brr boxes, shen benches, etc) there wouldn't be any marks at all, its probably just picking up bits of paint from my oh so brilliantly crafted bench (haha..). Otherwise, the pop is beyond amazing, better than anything I've ever used. Its made me better at switch/nollie tricks, its gained me soo much consistency, it looks amazing, its crafted perfectly, and its really fun to use. All that for $12? Can you really say no? I don't think you should. Fair is fair though, and, I've gotta loose it overall half a mark for the lacquer, as there was also the lacquer bubble when I first got it. Still, final score, 9.5/10
Thankyou Andreas, for this amazing deck! I hear there will be stock of them soon at www.panicfbs.com, otherwise if you contact Andreas via the website you might be able to order a deck that way.
