Blank Skate Blog. Official News and Events for Blank Skate

Super Update! New Bulk Pricing

2008-03-18T09:19:00.005-04:00

Hey Everyone,

I know it is has been a while since our last post, but we getting back on the ball. A bunch of stuff has been going on. We've been cranking boards our of our woodshop and things are coming together nicely. Our boards are getting better and better everytime we run a batch.

We have a new shipment of wood coming in this week and by the end of march you should start to see all the Dipped Colors Back in Stock along with a surprise or two.

For the better part of the last month, Dave and I have been coding the site to offer discounts on multiple items. Now you can save even more when you buy 2 or 3 of the same items. It is a pretty crazy new program we are developing and it will only get better as we figure out what the hell we are actually doing.

DISCOUNTS CREATED SO FAR
DECKS: Mini Logo Decks, Superlight Decks, ATM Wings Logos, and 1031 Decks
GRIPTAPE: Rolls of Jessup, Iron Horse, Black Grip
BEARINGS: Blank Skate ABEC 5's and 7's.
HARDWARE: Need 100 Packs? Get them for $1 Each

DISCOUNTS FINISHING UP THIS WEEK
WHEELS: All of our Blank Skate wheels will be available for Bulk Discounts
And finally........The one you are waiting for
BLANK SKATE DECKS and NEON DECKS! Extra Ridiculous Pricing

Also, we have launched our Manufacturing Program. We can manufacture your next run of blank decks or price point decks. Our boards are 100% USA MADE!

WHAT IS NEW IN THE SHOP?
Just Arrived: ATM Wings Logo Decks, Iron Horse Grip --so you can all relax now, Eight Ball Pads, SHOE GOO!.

SHOWING UP ANY DAY NOW
Mini Logo Decks, Bones Bearings, Swiss Bearings, and Mini Logo Wheels

So tell 40 of your Closest Friends.

Mike Berdis REPRESENT

2008-03-03T14:19:00.005-05:00

Mike got back from King of The Groms. He's got that bunk ankle and scurvy. I guess it is a bad idea to go in an outdoor hot tub in Minnesota in the winter and then roll around in the snow in your swim trucks. You live, You Learn I guess.

So out of all 150 People, Mike was 1 of 8 who entered Expert in All 3 Categories. Bowl, Mini and Street. If you add up those totals Mike was 2nd OVERALL AT 2007 KING OF THE GROMS.

THAT AINT TOO SHABBY! He has got a ton of talent and has a ton of fun skating. You really don't need much else.

Pittsburgh Mini Ramps

2008-03-01T23:02:00.001-05:00

I am making a list of all the ramps in pittsburgh for my own personal use. So why don't you tell me and I'll come skate them with you?

WINTER FREAKING SUCKS
I AM GOING IN FREAKING SANE

Mike Berdis King of the Groms UPDATE

2008-02-23T15:11:00.004-05:00

Mike is on the last of 3 events in the qualifying rounds at this years King of the Groms Contest at 3rd Lair Skatepark in Golden Valley Minnesota. So far he is currently:

8th Overall in Mini Ramp Contest
5th Overall in the Bowl Contest

These are his standings in the Qualifying Rounds and he has qualified for the Finals in Both Events.

The Street Course is up next and he is currently out to lunch with his mom. That is about as up to the minute as I can get for you.

Team Rider Mike Berdis off to King of the Groms

2008-02-21T09:53:00.004-05:00

Mike "El Bandito" Berdis is off to 3rd Lair in Minnesota (one of our favorite places) to compete in King of the Groms. I believe this is his second appearance in the K.O.G. contest. This year he has chosed to enter Expert in all categories...Street, Mini, and Bowl.

BEST OF LUCK! This kid is like a freakin terminator whose program malfunctioned. He super rolled his ankle over the weekend at Evolutions in Ohio. Hasnt really walked and done nothing but ice it up. So at a rest stop he gets out of the car and starts landing 360 Flips and Kickflips all over the place.

I will keep you posted as I get more news.

Spitfire and Ricta Wheels OVERLOAD

2008-02-02T13:14:00.000-05:00

Just arrived in the shop. Spitfire and Ricta Wheels. Starting at $24.95, Available in OVER 35 STYLES between the two companies in sizes from 48 MM to 63 MM. You can definately find a wheel you like.

Spring time is the the perfect time for new skateboard wheels. As your wheels wear down the amount of wheel that makes contact with the riding surface increases. You will see old skateboard wheels look almost like cubes. The are as wide as they are tall. The more of your wheel that makes contact with the ground the more friction and resistance there will be.

New wheels have groves cut into them. This actually reduces the amount of surface contact by 50%. New wheels roll and feel so fast and smooth because so little of the wheel is actually making contact with the ground.

You should always consider replacing your skateboard bearings everytime you replace your wheels. This will give you the best performance and smoothest ride

Shop of the Month on GrindTV.com

2008-02-01T18:35:00.000-05:00

The Blank Skate Shop was awarded "Shop of the Month" on GrindTV.com. You can check us out on the home page or go directy to the Blank Skate Profile Page

We have upload a ton of content. Check out our Videos and Photo Albums. There is even a sneak peak at Blank Skate Mag issue #2. GrindTV.com is a social network for skaters. There are a ton of videos that stream one after another.

R.I.P. Skatepark of Natrona

2008-02-01T10:07:00.000-05:00

For 4 Years we ran a small little skatepark along side our shop. In that time we had 9 different setups, which is pretty crazy in itself. We had a ton of fun and met so many people.

This video was edited by Team Rider Chris Morgan. The footage is obviously very dated. It is funny just too see how young these guys were. They are just down to skate and skate anything (Our skateparks proved that -- ha ha)

Enjoy the video for what it does:
Showcase a Time in Natrona's History.

Is Blank Skate Opening another LARGER skatepark?
Did you hear something? Who told you?

Dropping Bow's in 2008

2008-01-30T15:13:00.000-05:00

They are here. New Krux Rainbow color Trucks are in stock and ready to ship or be picked up in the store. Check these puppies out. Only $21.95 each. This is the newest skateboard truck from the Krux Family

Click Here to Check them Out

Tons of New Product - THIS WEEK

2008-01-28T07:38:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone,

Just Updating You on New Inventory:
On Friday January 25th - Spitfire Wheels, Plan B Decks, Thunder Trucks, Venture Trucks, Destructo Trucks, Negative One Color Grip in Clear, Pink, and Yellow, Lucky Bearings, Plan B Wheels, Thunder Risers, Consolidated Bearing Spray, Destructo Hardware and Grind King Kingpins.

On Tuesday January 29th: Ricta Wheels, Creature Decks, Old School Decks -Dust to Dust Series, OJ Wheels, Creature Wheels, Krux Trucks and Independent Trucks.

Come on Down and Check them Out or View the Inventory at BlankSkateShop.com

NEW - Old School Skateboards Section

2008-01-28T05:45:00.000-05:00

I often get "Wow! You guys have a ton of old school skate products and even products over 8 Inches Wide. Why didn't I know anything about this?"

It was always on the site, but it was organized with all of the regular skateboard products. So after an intervention with Dave and Kevin from my hospital bed while I was still on anesthesia and pain killers after my hernia surgery, I agreed to let Dave build an Old School Skateboards Section on the site. Check it out. It is pretty rad. I didn't know we had this much stuff either. We have currently sub-catagorized the section into Decks, Trucks, Bearings, Wheels, Accessories, and Videos

CLICK HERE - Old School Skateboard Products

I survived!

2008-01-27T12:57:00.000-05:00

Hernia Surgery! WHOO HOOO!

More good news coming as the pain pills wear off.
Countdown to skating 5 Weeks 4 Days.
Did someone say "Tarentum Take-Over 1"?

Up to $50 CASH BACK until SUNDAY

2008-01-23T15:35:00.000-05:00

Cashing in on this Deal is Easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Place any skateboard products into your shoping cart.

2. If your total is over $60 (before taxes and shipping) enter
code: 10BUCKS
If your total is over $100 -- 20BUCKS, or over $200 -- 50BUCKS
We will give you THAT AMOUNT OFF YOUR ORDER! ! ! !
SAVE UP TO 25% OFF YOUR ORDER

How to Grip a Deck in Under 10 Seconds

2008-01-20T20:06:00.000-05:00

Some one bet me at the shop that I couldn't grip a deck in under ten seconds. Well, it was probably more of me going, "I bet I could grip a deck in under 10 Seconds." And then someone else went, "oh yeah....I bet you can't". So I actually did it in 9.067 seconds. I probably could have done it atleast a second faster if I didnt go back and trim it up at the end. You'll see...take a peep:

PRODUCT REVIEW - Bones Cleaning Bottle

2008-01-15T10:39:00.000-05:00

We have not been able to keep these puppies in stock. This is by far one of the best systems we have seen for cleaning your bearings.

It is very easy to use. Just unscrew the wing nut and alternate 1 bearing / 1 washer. Load it up with your favorite cleaner and SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE. We had one that we used in the shop a while back, but some one stole it. That is how you know it is a quality product.

It is only $9.95. Click Here

Gorilla Hernia. AWESOME ! ! ! !

2008-01-15T10:31:00.001-05:00

Apparently my belly button popped out. I have some sort of birth defect that usually reveals itself by the age of 5. But not for me. I was lucky enough to have it pop out at 31 while skating a secret spot for skate shop owners on New Years Day. So I am going under the knife at some point and Dave will be taking over the shop for a few weeks. But don't worry, things will run just like the always have.

Here is Dave's New Schedule:
Mondays - 12:43 - 3:21
Tuesdays - Small Fire when Chris's Farts Spontaneously Combust
Wednesdays - Hammer Darts!
Thursdays - Stuff's Gonna SPLODE! ! ! !
Fridays - GAME DAY: How Many Decks Can You Stack on a Glass Counter?
Saturdays - Free BEER! ! ! (Root Beer - From Natrona Bottling Company)
Sunday - YEAH RIGHT!

I have also authorized Dave to make tons of deals with you. Just come in with lots of cash as he'll hook you up. Seriously, Dave's in charge any day now. I won't be able to pretend that I can beat him up for 6 more weeks.

Blank Squidoo!

2008-01-07T10:27:00.000-05:00

I started playing around with Squidoo a little. It is sort of like a blog/info page/opinionated/something. It is sort of its own thing. I thought it would be useful to just create a giant page about skateboarding and skateboard deck manufacturing. Check it out. Click Here

One of those Magical Days

2008-01-07T08:40:00.000-05:00

So for some reason, whether we are just too stubborn or just too stupid to notice the obvious, we headed out to Greensburg Skate Plaza. It had rained the day before and in the morning. There were no signs of it being dry out. Plus, The Bandito Mike and his mom were driving down from Erie so we were skating no matter what.

We figured some newspaper and squeegees would take care of the water and since it was 50 degrees out it should dry in about an hour. Well, the park has this nice way of seeping water back into it. So minutes after you squeege a puddle it is back. (Check out Pic) After a half hour of pushing water around, the guys said "F - it", and we're skating.

I don't know if you have ever skated wet, smooth concrete. NOT ADVISABLE. Apparently Urethane Wheels with grooves in them and water don't get along. But those guys threw down anyway. We got tons of photos for the mag and a nice little write up coming. Special Thanks to Collyn Adams, DON-B!, Mike Berdis, Chirs Morgan, the Scangenator, Jarred got a Squeege Job, and HaHa Gorilla.

Happy New Year - Blank Skate Mag #2

2008-01-01T10:10:00.000-05:00

Welcome to 2008. Isn't it great? Did you stay up late? Take home your date. (If you can remember her name)

Anyway, after you clean the crusty boogers from you eyes, please take the time to read this very important message from your friends at Blank Skate.

We are now taking submissions for Issue #2. The Deadline is January 20th. We are looking for Videos, Photos, Coverage Ideas, Events and more. Let us know what are thinking and we can work together to get it in the mag.

send submissions to sales@blankskatesupply.com.
Call the Title of the Email SUBMISSIONS

Or just email if you have questions.

Issue 1 is still up online at BlankSkateMag.com

CHECK IT OUT

Merry Chirstmas To Ya'll

2007-12-25T14:47:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from Jeff, Dave, and Jarred at Blank Skate.
Oh yeah, we also have this little deal going on the day after Christmas. Have you heard about it yet? DON'T MISS THIS -- CLICK HERE

South Park Skatepark -- Opens Nov 27

2007-12-22T12:59:00.000-05:00

The official word on South Park is that it opens up this Thursday around 10ish (I think). There is a ribbon cutting ceremony and then the County Police will Lock It Up so you can't skate there (Just Like BOYCE! ! ! WHOOOO HOOO)

Let's hope they do a better job of letting people skate the park. I've been to Boyce a few times in the past month and the gates are not even unlocked. I've heard the same thing from others too. It is a shame that after we finally get a place "where the public wants us" we are still waiting for approval to skate it from the Police.

Personally, I liked the old days better. We used to just pick spot and skate it until the police showed up. Then we would leave. It seems much more fun that way. I don't know if skateboarding works in such a controlled environment. None of us really started skateboarding to impress our parents, the high school football coach, or our angry neighbors.

Pittsburgh HAS TONS OF GOOD STREET SPOTS

Someone once told me, "that skateparks make skateboarding weaker". At the time I heard that I could not for the life of me understand why. I thought how could more skateparks be bad thing. We'd always have a back up to go somewhere. More places to skate has to equal better skating.

But now, I can see where public supported places are bad for skateboarding. The same way we saw the "Jockitization" of skateboarding bad in the Late 80's and again in the Late 90's into 2000. You can't skate and play by the rules. We don't want to be unified by anything other than skateboarding. We don't want teams or societies approval.

The truth is, that there are very few things that the government can do for you that the people can't do better for themselves. Look what is happening by relying on places to skate. We have carbon copy kids who all do the same tricks down the same handrail and want sponsored. Part of what makes skateboarding great is that we all come from different experiences. We all skate different stuff, know different spots and have different styles. When you meet up you share those things and skate your heart out.

The same thing applies to where you buy your skateboards at. I have always said that I don't care if you buy from us, but when you do buy your skateboards, your shoes, your hats, your t-shirts and such, PLEASE GO TO A SKATER OWNED AND OPERATED SKATESHOP and choose SKATER OWNED AND OPERATED PRODUCTS. Request USA Made Stuff

Here is why:
When you buy your skate goods from mall stores, auction sites, sporting goods stores, and online shoes stores none of your dollars spent at that store go back into supporting your local scene. To them, skateboarding is just a commodity. Skateboarding is a business. They may save you a buck or two, but none of those sales come back to support you. When you buy from your local shop or skater owned shop, that money goes back into contests, demos, signings, video premiers, sponsoring local riders and building a scene around skateboarding. When you buy your skate goods from mall shops, YOU build a scene around consumption. When the market slows down or dies out again (and it will) the corporate companies that "supported" skateboarding by selling skateboard products will stop selling them once skateboarding is not profitable to them anymore.

In the mean time, skater owned shops take a beating. It doesn't make sense to buy skateboards from some pimple headed jock at a sporting goods store. When you go to your local shop, they know skateboarding inside and out. Plus, they'll tell you 10 spots to skate on your way home.

Lesson:
If you want to kill skateboarding, skate public skateparks and buy your skate goods at the mall. You are doing a great job already.

MY NEXT POST: Skateboarders with Milk Moustaches

Holiday Hours (in Cambodia) for Natrona

2007-12-21T12:19:00.000-05:00

Here are our upcoming hours:

Friday: Dec 21 12-7
Saturday: Dec 22 12-5
Sunday: Dec 23 12-5
Monday Dec 24 12-5
Christmas: CLOSED - Enjoy the day with Friends and Family.
Wednesday: Dec 26 12-7 SUPER CHAOS SALE
(Click for Details)
Thursday: - Monday Dec 31 Regular Hours
January 1st 2008: CLOSED.

Thanks again.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Jeff

Battle of the Ramparts All Stars

2007-12-20T08:13:00.000-05:00

I just got this video in from the office of Curtis George. I must admit I am a bit partial to it since they are still skating and bringing back many of the spots I skated growing up. Although, I didn't see one Ramparts Spot in there. BOMB SOME HILLS - Le Beouf Forever. Basically, it is just rad seeing some of the new guys coming up from the same area you are from.

Video is raw and that's what I like about it. No Music. Just skating. You'll see Pipes in there a bit. They are a skatepark out in murrysville. They have this 2 1/2 bowl combo that is pretty tight and tons of fun. (They should let me redesign the street course) But there are some rad dudes out there. Look for the tall bald kid. He crushes those bowls Mach 10 Style and his girlfriend is super hot.

Rollerbladers are Lame.

2007-12-18T10:44:00.000-05:00

Okay....I know what you are thinking here, what the heck am I doing watching rollerblading videos when I should be making high quality skateboard decks?

Trust me. I wasnt. I was on the Skateboard-City Message boards and found a post on how to make a ledge slide. It just happened to be a rollerblading video.

Now granted I have not tried this and it is only to make a ledge slide with fruit boots on, I am don't know how it will grind. Read the post. There are a few on there who have tried it and state that it works.

So maybe all those years I had to skate elbows out were worth it for one crappy tip.
Here is the official link: Make Any Ledge Slide

Summary from late_flip_45
buy a cement rub block around 15 dollers.
buy instant dry clear laquer. maybe 5 bucks or so.
Rub the hell out of the ledge on the top and most likely the sides. with the cement rub block.
clean it with a duster or any other thing.
then on the tops and sides spray instant dry laquer.
Wait for the stuff to dry...well its instant so wait..like 1 second.
then WAXXXXXXXXXXXXXX TOOO DA MAXXXXX.
and shred it up dog.
Tell some friends.
Watch it get skateblocked in a few months.
And get pissed.
sneak in at night and rip the skateblockers off.
And realise how much of a hardcore skater you really are.
and pull a sick front smith fs shuv out.

MY GUESS WOULD BE:
Sanding makes the ledge smoother and the laquer creates a seal on the ledge. So when you rub the wax onto the ledge it only lays on top of laquer and never gets pushed into the concrete. It probably helps to break the ledge in faster than waxing it, rubbing it in, waxing it, rubbing it in, waxing it, rubbing it in, and waxing it again.

Pittsburgh Skate Initiative

2007-12-16T10:26:00.000-05:00

I don't know how many of you have been following what has been going on at The Berrics, but it should be more than a wake up call for us skaters in Pittsburgh.

Steve Berra and Eric Koston grew tired of rain, destroyed spots and cops. So they did something about it. They bought thier own warehouse and are building thier own spots. It has sort of turned into a skatepark for pros in SoCal.

Lets be honest, Pittsburgh has on average 57 Sunny and Cloud Free Days a year. That leaves about 300 days a year with rain, clouds, snow, and such. It wouldnt be so bad if we didnt want to skate EVERYDAY.

The major problem has been the longevity of spots. We can all name a handful of "secret" spots that have come and gone over the years. Usually they blow up and a billion people show up and the spot gets ruined. Its has happend to every spot and will happen to every current spot we have. At some point they crack down and we can't skate there anymore.

But what if we look at it differently. What if we owned the spot? What if a group of skaters got together and formed a co-op? They would share the costs by dividing it up among all participants. We could build whatever we want. We could do whatever we want. No COPS, NO RENT-A-COPS, NO ANGRY NEIGHBORS CHASING YOU OUT.

A PLACE TO SKATE OWNED BY THOSE WHO SKATE THERE.

So many of us have talked about it for years. So many of us know how much this could unify this city by creating a common ground, by creating a meeting point, and just a place to skate without all the drama.

The Pittsburgh Skate Co-Op. It can work, but we all have to work it.