Toy Machine Provost Nihon Deck 8.38 x 32

I keep harping about the time I first discovered Toy Machine skateboards. It was in a Big Brother skateboard magazine. If you know the magazine, then you know how crude and humorous it was, and how it is a legendary zine of tomfoolery. Anyways, the first magazine from skateboarding that I purchased was that one, and now that they are gone, I wonder if 2020 could even handle the brand of humor. Thrasher is still going strong, but I wonder when they will fold? Hopefully there's enough gusto to get them not to fold, but who knows. The first ad for Toy Machine skateboards that I remember said something about how it was the Blood Sucking Toy Machine, and that we should all bow down, and then there was the monster horns, and art by Ed Templeton. Fun stuff for parents to read through, luckily my parents let me keep the magazine never truly reading the contents. I recall the same magazine had an article about Jason Ellis, pro skater, but anyways, that has nothing to do with the Provost Nihon Skateboard Deck. That deck is awesome, and it is featured up here, or above all this text that no one is going to read. It's now out via the Blood Sucking Toy Machine skateboard company. You should get it, skate it, or put it on your wall.

You can purchase Toy Machine skateboards and more by clicking here. Or not, what do I care? 

Baker Skateboards Baker Brand Logo Skateboard Deck Review

With the release of Baker skateboards 4, you know that the brand of misfits has done something grand. Among their best selling skateboards is the Baker brand logo. A lot of brand skateboard decks are not worth your time, but for some odd reason, Baker skateboards gets a lot of love for their logo stuff. With today’s write up, we are looking at the Baker skateboards brand logo skate deck. This board features the Baker board branding that you would expect from them, and at a size that a lot of skateboarders are now riding. I for one am getting one of these and putting it on the wall, alongside a Baker board banner.

The Size and The Shape

The size and shape of the Baker skateboards brand logo skate deck is 8.5 x 32, and it’s a larger size than what I started with. If you have been following my blog, you know that I started with a 7.75 x 32, and now ride 8.5 x 32 or something larger. I don’t really do a lot of tricks however, and often times just do simple ollies, kickflip, board slides, and simplistic things along those lines. Baker has some strong decks, strong concave, good pop, and the logo graphic that you would definitely want to jump in on.

The Look and Appeal

The look is simple enough, it’s classic Baker skateboards logo with red and black and white, and it’s a solid color on the top ply as well. This is a multiple ply skateboard that is your standard board with the concave that you’re looking at, and the overall shape and size is a good one if you’re already used to skateboarding in the modern age. There’s nothing really fancy here, it’s the Baker skateboards logo, it’s the 8.5 size, and 32 length, with nothing to really write home about, except that it’s what you would expect from the team board. Not only that, it’s a best seller, and nearly all of the professionals on the team have a stack of these to use on a regular basis. So you’ll be one of the crew if you have this under your feet.

Overall Rating For The Baker Skateboards Baker Brand Logo Skateboard Deck

Fans of Baker skateboards already know how good these things are. I’ve been riding Baker skateboards on and off and can attest to the quality. They are definitely a lot of image, but the Boss and them are not messing around when it comes to skateboarding in today’s culture. Anyways, the Baker skateboard crew once again does a good job of putting out decks with their branding, and getting skaters to pick them up. I for one am picking this up for my wall of skateboards, and am supporting core branding like Baker. If you’re a fan of Baker, or you are just looking for a simple skateboard deck, then you have to check out what you can get with the Baker Skateboards Baker Brand Logo Skateboard Deck, as it is a solid choice for just about any skater.

You can pick up the Baker Skateboards Baker Brand Logo Skateboard Deck by clicking here.

Toy Machine Skateboards Monster Skateboard Deck Review

There is one company that I remember above all others in the world of skateboarding. It was the first major skateboarding company that I saw an ad for, and it was in Big Brother magazine. That brand? The Bloodsucking Toy Machine Skateboard Company. That’s right, the Ed Templeton company, and today we are going to be looking at one of my personal favorites from their line up, the Toy Machine Skateboards Monster Skateboard. This is their classic skateboard deck, and I for one am always going to be wanting to have at least one of them in my inventory. This is a board that you are either going to love or dismiss, but for me, it brings back memories of the original Bloodsucking company, Toy Machine skateboards.

The Size and The Shape

The Toy Machine Skateboards Monster Skateboard comes in a variety of sizes, but for the sake of this review, we are going to be discussing the 8.5 x 31.75 skateboard model. This one is for the modern skater, the ones that are using larger boards to get through the tough rock spots, and hit rails. This is a team branded skateboard from Toy Machine, and I personally love the monster character. This is from the 1990s releases of the brand, and it is still one of the best selling skateboards from Toy Machine skateboards. The size is large, 8.5 is a wider width, and I personally like that for vert. I learned how to skate a mini-ramp with this type of board, so if you’re down with transition, then this is going to be the type of board that you want, in terms of width. Length, it’s a standard size, not too long, not too short, a standard solution.

The Look and Appeal

The biggest appeal on this board is the fact that it is a throwback to early Templeton graphic styles. The mascots for the Toy Machine skateboarding company is well worth exploring, especially since they are coming from a fine artist in Ed Templeton. With that in mind, you have to appreciate what you get when you pick up the Toy Machine Skateboards Monster Skateboard. This is a monster board, with the graphic style that you have come to expect from Toy Machine, and of course Ed Templeton. I for one have one of these hanging on my wall, because it reminds me of my childhood and teenage years.

Overall Rating For The Toy Machine Skateboards Monster Skateboard

Every time we get to this point I want to say that I don’t have a star rating. I don’t know if anyone cares about that, but in my case, yes, give this a five star treatment. It has good pop, medium concave, and it has the monster Toy Machine skateboards graphic. You’ll love the way this one feels under your feet, and it can be a cruiser as much as it could be for the world of street skateboarding as well. I for one appreciate the overall design, style, and look. Toy Machine skateboards is one of the better brands anyway.

You can pick up the Toy Machine Skateboards Monster Skateboard by clicking here, and get free shipping.

Traffic Skateboards Adler The Streets Skateboard Deck Review

Back when I worked at a skateboard shop in Seattle, we put up wallpaper of all skateboarding pages. It was something to do when we were bored. One of the things that I remember is that proliferation of advertisement for Traffic skateboards. Traffic skateboards has a simple team of boarders, and they are quite good, building their team around a crew of skaters that were down for the cause, and just throwing down hammers on each video part. This time around, the line up for Traffic is simple yet again, and the graphics reflect the core standards that you would expect from the brand. This board from Traffic skateboards is the Traffic Skateboards Adler The Streets Skateboard Deck. This is a solid multiple ply skateboard deck with a cool graphic and an inside joke. If you get it, then you get it, if you don’t, well too bad. Traffic skateboards isn’t going to explain it all to you, and neither am I, suckers.

The Size and The Shape

The size and the shape of this board from Traffic skateboards is on the larger end. I’ve noticed that a lot more street skateboarders are going with a higher sized solution. That being the case, you’ll see that this deck is 8.6 x 32, and it’s right up my alley. This is a solid skateboard deck with good concave, and simple pop. It’s standard, popsicle style, and will most likely give you a sweet ride whether cruising or street boarding. I for one love the size and shape on this one from Traffic skateboards.

The Look and The Appeal

The graphic design that you get with the Traffic skateboards is simple, someone’s getting kidnapped. It reminds me of the movie “Old School”, where a white van comes through and kidnaps all of the pledges. That scene came with the tunes of Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”, if you remember that one. Either way, you’re getting the same thing, and the moniker from Traffic skateboards is that The Streets Will Eat You Alive! This is an Adler pro skateboard deck, and of course it has the Traffic skateboards logo in a simplistic yellow font on blue background. Simply put, the look is cartoon style, but the subject matter is a little tongue and cheek, but it’s core at the base graphic design that you would expect from modern skateboard design.

Overall Rating For The Traffic skateboards Adler The Streets Skateboard Deck

Every time I write a review, I seem to think I’m going to cave in and start talking about ratings that are within the star ranking. Then I decide, nope, not gonna do it. In this case, this skateboard from Traffic skateboards is solid, it’s good, it has everything that you would want from the skateboarding world. You will get through the streets, you’ll get through vert, and you’ll love the way that Traffic once again puts together art and craft into their work. Traffic skateboards is a good overall brand, and this is a good overall board.

You can pick up the Traffic Skateboards Adler The Streets Skateboard alongside others by clicking here.

Element Skateboards x National Geographic Skateboard Deck Review

When I was a teenager I subscribed to National Geographic. I wanted to be a photographer for them, and I thought for sure one day I could hack it. I didn’t ever become one of their employees, but I still have an affinity for the magazine, and the work that is done by their corporation. Suffice to say, when I saw that Element skateboards was going to be partnering with them, I jumped for joy. They have several decks released with the collaboration, and I wanted to highlight two of them from the Element Skateboards x National Geographic collection. These two boards have different graphic design elements, but they are similar in shape and size, and they are worth taking a look at, if you’re a fan of both Element skateboards, and of course National Geographic. I for one am a huge fan of the products that are being released with the Element Skateboards x National Geographic collaboration, and recommend that everyone takes a shot at checking this out overall.

The Size and The Shape

Usually, when I write reviews of skateboard decks, I look at the size and the shape of one board, but in this case, I’ll be talking about two boards from the Element Skateboards x National Geographic collaboration, which means there’s slight differences. The main difference in this regard is that between the Eye Quad deck and the Molecule Deck. They are 8.0 x 31.753 and 8.25 x 31.9 respectively, and they are meant for street and vert alike. I like the shapes and they have the classic hardply layers, and of course the nice Element skateboards pop. They are durable, and ready to skate the streets or ramps, but you have to remember these are more of a graphic design triumph, so you may want to put them on your wall. I for one have been picking up the collaboration for my wall, since my home is basically a museum of skateboarding goods and services.

The Look and The Appeal

The overall design of the Element Skateboards x National Geographic collection is that it takes the images from the magazines and adds a little bit of the Element skateboards design. If you’re already a fan of either brand, then you’re going to appreciate the way that the two work together to form a nice uniform, even though it’s really a matter of catering to the National Geographic branding if you ask me. The overall style is great, the size and the shape is good, and they definitely seem like works of art, not just pieces of wood to skateboard with. I for one am enthralled with how the Element Skateboards x National Geographic collection has come out thus far.

Overall Rating For The Element Skateboards x National Geographic collection Decks

Again, we are here towards the end of the review, and you are expecting me to give you a star or something. I am going to say that the Element Skateboards x National Geographic collection decks are great overall. They are a good overall set of boards for you to hang up on the wall or to ride. I am currently riding an Enjoi cruiser deck, but will most likely pick up an element board from this collaboration for my street ride as my Blind skateboard deck is a little too narrow for my taste. Either way, the National Geographic and Element Skateboards line up are quality boards, it’s good to look into, and definitely worth your time.

You can pick up Element Skateboards x National Geographic collection by clicking here, and of course checking out other boards with free shipping as well.

Creature Skateboards Horror Feature MD Skateboard Deck Review

Of all of the skateboarding brands, no one is doing their thing quite like Creature Skateboards. This is a branch of the Santa Cruz guys, and it’s honestly one of my favorite graphic companies. The reason why is simple, they put together graphics that are directly related to the horror universe. If you’re a fan of horror movies, scary things, and all things science fiction, then you’ll love the artwork that the company puts out. They put together some incredible decks and they do so with style. The latest line up of boards includes limited edition creature horror feature decks, and they speak to the style and substance that Creature Skateboards always brings. Creature skateboards horror feature MD skateboard deck is the highlighted option today, and it’s one of 3 different graphic styles. The bottom side features a horror image, and the top layer features the eyes of what is coming, and it’s a crazy spider that’s going to eat and won’t die.

The Size and The Shape

For those that are not familiar with Creature Skateboards, you’ll need to know that a lot of their boards are of a mixed size range. A lot of their options are focused on vert and mixed skateboarding. They don’t focus on just street. Some of their best riders do a combination of street and vert, or what many call “hesh”, and it shows. This release from Creature Skateboards is 8.375 x 32.15, which is a wider size than many of my peers ride, but then again, they don’t do any vert. if you’re doing things that have transition, or are vert in nature, then the Creature Skateboards horror feature MD skateboard deck is right up your alley.

The Look and The Appeal

Once again, you should know who Creature Skateboards if you’re going to drop a few dollars on boards. This one has that classic, old school horror feel to it, and really reminds me of the “Tales From The Crypt” comic book line up. That comic book line and “Vault of Horror” among others were great in bringing horror stories to the masses via comic books. Well, Creature skateboards is doing just that with their skateboard deck line up, including this one which is limited edition since boards are seasonal in terms of how they get to shops and what not.

Overall Rating For The Creature Skateboards Horror Feature MD Skateboard Deck

I firmly believe that Creature provides boards for skaters that do both street and vert. That’s why the size is so good overall. The size and shape this board, specifically, is going to be great for those that like to mix up their ride for cruising, streets, and vert. It’s solid, it’s 8.37 x 32.15 of hard wood, and the graphic is totally up the alley of all horror movie and science fiction fans. Creature skateboards horror feature MD is an instant classic, so I’d recommend picking it up.

You can pick up the Creature skateboards Horror Feature MD skateboard deck by clicking here, and getting other boards if you want from Creature.

Pizza Skateboards The Gluten Tree Skateboard Deck

Kids know the story of “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. If you don’t know, then you should buy that book and read it to a kid, or read it to yourself, it’s a wonderful story about a tree and a boy that he gives a great deal to. Now, that book is the main focus of this parody skateboard deck from Pizza skateboards. Pizza skateboards is one of those companies that are putting out quality skateboards and parody artwork. They did put out a Curious George skateboard deck that I loved, but this is one that really hits home on two levels. The first level is the throwback to the Silverstein story, and the second, it’s all about that pizza son, and of course the gluten joke at the same time.

The Size and the Shape

Aside from the carefully curated graphic style from Pizza skateboards, you’ll find that the size and shape of this board lends itself well to the streets and vert at the same time. The size of the Gluten Tree skateboard is 8.25 x 32.375, and it is rounded on both tail and nose like you would expect. There’s a slight inverse on the rounds if you take a closer look, and that really caught me off guard. Yes, it’s meant for overall versatile skateboarding, and it’s wide, but it’s still got good pop and nice concave. It’s not “extreme” in any way, and it’s going to give you a decent level of response if you’re already used to skating 8.25 x 32.375 or somewhere above 8.0. I skate 8.5 and up, but this is a great in between too wide and too narrow.

The Look and The Appeal

The overall look of Pizza skateboards gluten tree skateboard is that of a kid friendly graphic, with an adult twist. This is not going to appeal to everyone, but those that do know the “Giving Tree” story book, will notice the art and design to be up front and to the point. I for one love the way it’s a throwback to the story, and will always gravitate towards decks that appeal to me on a visual design sense more than just function. I don’t ride boards that have cool graphics, I put graphic design up on the wall for a reason. The Pizza skateboards gluten tree skateboard is one of those boards that will go on the wall, and heck, I may buy the book that this is in tribute of as well.

Overall Rating For The Gluten Tree Skateboard Deck

You don’t care what my 2 cents are, do you? Ok, well the Pizza skateboards gluten tree skateboard is a nice board for vert and street skateboarding alike. You’ll want to have 54MM wheels when you get this one, and you’ll want to make sure that you are used to the wider deck. It’s a good, hard multiply board, and will suit mid-range skaters as well as experts. Novices will need apply if they are already used to the size of board, otherwise I’d get something smaller to start with. Like I always say, I started with 7.75, and this is a big jump if you’re not used to it, so make sure that you take that into consideration.

You can pick up the Pizza skateboards gluten tree skateboard by clicking here, and ordering it or other Pizza skateboard decks.

You can also purchase “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein by clicking here, and pair it with this board when you give it to someone.

5Boro Skateboards VHS Shinya Nohara Pro Deck Review

Few skateboard companies represent skateboarding and their city like 5Boro skateboards. They are truly one of my favorite skateboarding brands, and I’ve collected several boards from them across several months, and years. Their latest release had me thrilled because it’s a throwback to something that is near and dear to my heart, vhs tapes. 5Boro skateboards put out a series of skateboards that were all featuring VHS blank tape options, and if you’re a fan of the era, then you know the style. I used to tape a lot of things from television, as well as pro wrestling, and much more on blank tapes, and it’s quite good.

Today we are looking at 5Boro skateboard’s Shinya Nohara VHS tape deck, and it immediately caught my attention due to the throwback VHS style that I love.

The Size and The Shape

Skateboards in the modern era are usually popsicle style. Not sure what that is? Then don’t rely heavily on the notion. Instead, understand that they all have a tail and a nose, and they are rounded, for the most part. Cruiser decks, long boards, and others are not, but this is your standard multiple ply hardwood skateboard with a nice pop and medium concanve. The 5Boro skateboard’s release of the Shinya Nohara pro model has it set at 7.75 x 32. That’s my old size skateboard, and while I don’t ride such a smaller board, it still has some great flipping capabilities. It’s a good size for moderate, to pro skateboarders, adults, and teens. I wouldn’t start a kid with this size, but then again, it depends on the kid.

The Look and The Appeal

As you look at the various options that you have in your local skateboard shop, you’re going to want to take a look at what you are going to get in terms of graphic. Yes, the graphics are going to get scratched off, but for us collectors and hoarders, as they call us, you’ll find that the graphic is what appeals to the buyer and the senses. In regards to 5Boro skateboards, they do a great job of emulating what VHS tapes looked like, while still maintaining that skateboarding style. The look and appeal overall is classic, and will definitely sit well on your shelf, under your feet, or on the wall like I have in my home.

Overall Rating For The 5Boro VHS Shinya Nohara Pro Skateboard Deck

The 5Boro VHS Shinya Nohara Pro Skateboard Deck is available now, but it’s part of a series that is being sold out fast. If you didn’t pick this one up yet, or any of the other decks from 5boro, then you’ll really want to take into consideration picking this up from 5boro skateboards. As for my rating, do you really care? I give it a 5, like I do with all decks, and as for a ride, it’s a great board if you’re a street skater, but I would not recommend it for cruising or vert, but that’s my two cents.

Buy and Collect Skateboards Below

You can purchase the 5Boro VHS Shinya Nohara Pro Skateboard Deck, as well as other boards from 5Boro Skateboards by clicking here.