The Bottom Line
- Reproductions of old school graphics and shapes – if you skated 20 years ago, you’ll know these
- Quality – classic styles, but made with current Powell technology
- Hand made in California, USA from hard American Maple
- If you have no interest in classic skateboards, you’ll likely only want these decks for show
Description
- Classic spoon shaped / fishtail boards
- Classic old school graphics - Vato Rat Bones, Steadham, Cab Chinese Dragon
- Built in the USA from American Maple
- Standard Modern 7-ply design
- SST slide treated for longer slides
- AirLam Fused with high-impulse water proof glue
- Warranted against delamination
Guide Review - Powell Classic Spoon Nosed Deck Series
But these new re-issues of the classic Powell skate decks aren’t just for nostalgia – they’re completely ridable. In fact, in many ways they’re more ridable than the originals. They have the same shape and graphics, but are built from seven plys of American maple, air pressed and sealed, with Powell's SST slide treatment. These decks are even guaranteed against delamination, just like everything Powell makes.
There are only three classic spoon nose decks available now – the Vato Rat Bones deck, the Steadham deck, and my favorite the Caballero Chinese Dragon deck. All feature a medium-shallow concave (k-10 by Powell’s standards) and of course the high tail with huge pop. The boards aren’t very heavy, either. I managed to scuff mine up pretty fast, but I do that with every board I touch... In fact, if you’re worried about messing up these boards, you can still get those funky old plastic guards to protect them!
Of course, you could just buy one to hang it on the wall – there’s no law against it, and these decks do look pretty awesome. It’s impressive that Powell did more than just make rad wall decorations – the fact that Powell made these boards just like the originals, but took the time to make them high quality and ridable shows that Powell still has skater’s best interests in mind.
