In recent months we have seen our old friend, Luca Consoli, create a brand of handcrafted wooden skateboard.
A complete and extremely appealing project.
Wait team is always alert to new ideas and emerging businesses and the idea of giving birth to a brand ‘craft skate’ seemed to us very original and interesting.
To understand more, we interviewed Luca Consoli, co-founder of Sbang Board.
Ciao Luca, come nasce l’idea di dar vita a Sbang Board?
E’ partito tutto alla fine dell’estate scorsa. E’ nata inizialmente l’idea di creare un blog dove inserire notizie sugli sport da tavola, quelli che sono la nostra passione: surf, skateboard e snowboard. E così è nato Sbang Magazine.
A un certo punto ci siamo resi conto che il numero di notizie era davvero infinito e affrontare il progetto in maniera completa era quasi impossibile.
Così da una parte si è pensato di ridimensionare il progetto, troppo ambizioso, dall’altra è nata l’idea di dar sfogo alla nostra passione in maniera diversa.
Così, fantasticando, abbiamo iniziato a sognare di creare una tavola nostra, un cruiser.
Siamo amanti dello stile retro’. La cruiser è una tavola che nasce per colmare il distacco per gli appassionati del surf, quando non è possibile surfare sulle onde.
Così abbiamo realizzato i primi prototipi, è poi crescendo sempre più l’entusiasmo abbiamo deciso di sviluppare il nostro sogno e di farlo diventare una cosa seria.
Quanti siete nel team?
Inizialmente eravamo in 3. Poi il più giovane si è distaccato, in quanto era molto impegnato con l’Università e non se la sentiva di affrontare un’avventura imprenditoriale. Così siamo rimasti io e Michele.
Quanti anni avete?
Io sono del 90 e Michele del 87.
Raccontatemi del vostro background. Siete skater?
Io no, la mia altezza fuori dalla norma mi ha sempre penalizzato sin da piccolo. Michele invece rappresenta il lato ‘esperto’ della nostra coppia ed ha sempre praticato le discipline con la tavola fin da bambino.
Qual’è stata la reazione di parenti e amici?
All’inizio ci hanno dato tutti per pazzi. In effetti sulla carta lo skateboard, peraltro proposto in maniera così ‘artigianale’ puo’ inizialmente apparire un prodotto di nicchia e non un attività molto interessante dal punto di vista economico. Tuttavia abbiamo realizzato un business plan, dato vita a una società. Ed eccoci in pista a tutti gli effetti.
Raccontami del vostro prodotto.
La nostra tavola si differenzia da prodotti simili per il materiale. Abbiamo scelto legno lamellare di betulla. Normalmente si usa acero o bamboo.
La nostra scelta è stata della di un materiale con caratteristiche di qualità, flessibilità e resistenza, facile da lavorare e non da ultimo, da reperire.
Come lo lavorate?
A differenza di chiunque altro, il taglio è fatto a laser sia per la sagoma che per i fori. Questo ci permette di fare forme precise e perfette, con una qualità alta. Successivamente si passa alla levigatura a mano del bordo e poi alla verniciatura per proteggere il legno. Infine sul davanti, per dar vita al grip, applichiamo direttamente sulla tavola una finissima polvere di quarzo utilizzata anche nei cantieri navali. Questa è una tecnica, usata anche sulle tavole da surf, sebbene normalmente sia utilizzato una grana più grossa, mentre la nostra è molto più fine.
Quanti modelli avete?
La scelta iniziale è stata proprio quella di realizzare un modello unico, simile al Penny. 22 pollici di lunghezza.
Naturalmente cambiano le grafiche.
Hello Luca, how did the idea to create Sbang Board?
It’s all started at the end of last summer. And originally born the idea to create a blog where you can enter information about board sports, those who are our passion: surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding. And so was born Sbang Magazine.
At some point we realized that the number of news was really infinite and tackle the project in full was nearly impossible.
So on the one hand it was decided to scale the project, too ambitious, the other is the idea to give vent to our passion in a different way.
So, fantasizing, we began to dream of creating a our own board, a cruiser.
We are lovers of retro style ‘. The cruiser is a board that was created to bridge the gap for fans of surfing, when you can not surf the waves.
So we made the first prototypes, then growing more and more enthusiasm we decided to develop our dream and make it a serious matter.
How many are in the team?
Initially we were 3. Then the younger give up, because he was very involved with the University and did not want to deal with an entrepreneurial venture. So we were me and Michael.
How old are you?
I am 90 and Michele’s 87.
Tell me about your background. Are you a skater?
Not me, my height out of the norm has always penalized since childhood. Michele instead represents the side ‘expert’ of our couple and has always practiced the disciplines with the board as a child.
What was the reaction of your friends and family?
At first they gave us all for fools. In fact on paper skateboard, also proposed in a manner so ‘artisan’ may ‘initially appear a niche product and not very interesting from a business point of view. However, we have created a business plan, created a company. And here we are on track in all respects.
Tell me about your product.
Our table differs from similar products for the material. We chose wood laminated birch. Normally other brands use maple or bamboo.
Our choice was of a material with characteristics of quality, flexibility and strength, easy to work, and not least, to find.
How do you work?
Unlike anyone else, the cut is made in the laser for both the template for the holes. This allows us to make precise shapes and perfect, with a high quality. This is followed by the hand sanding of the board and then the paint to protect the wood. Finally the front, to give life to the grip, apply directly to the table a very fine quartz powder also used in shipyards. This is a technique, also used on surfboards, although it is normally used a coarser, while our is much finer.
How many models do you have?
The initial choice was precisely to create a unique model, similar to Penny. 22 inches in length.
Of course, change the graphics.
How did you choose the first graphic to start?
Initially we created a dozen different graphics. We have submitted to the feedback of friends and acquaintances and at the end we chose two very simple and minimal graphics. I would call ‘pure’.
Are you planning other models of boards?
In the yard we think in the future at a longboard. But it is a project that will only come later.
How you make the graphics on the tables?
It ‘s all done by hand. Once the board is smooth, apply masking tape to delimit parts to be painted and then with water enamels apply the color with the roller.
Are you also planning more complex graphics?
Yes. We’re doing a collaboration with Lela Perez. We gave four numbered tables on which she paints on the back, and then we provide a cover with protective coats of enamel.
The idea is to work with a very limited edition and numbered series with handmade designs by various artists to increase the value of the boards.
But think in future print runs wider with graphic prints in series?
Although it is not our focus in the short, not exclude. We have already ready structures to provide for prints in series with the sublimation technique.
How much are your tables?
The single deck, without wheels neutral and costs 79 Euros, and you get up to 119.
The price difference varies depending on the time of the graphics.
And a complete table of wheels?
From 129 to 169 euro.
What was the response of the public?
I must say that even before we left we started to probe the reaction of the public on social networks that was immediately very positive.
Later we met people who work in the sector in Italy, who have shown interest and we have also dispensed invaluable advice, leading also to achieve a number of technical changes.
As with the sale?
In addition to that word of mouth from January officially on our online shop.
There were also interesting findings abroad as in Hawaii and for us this is a great honor, since that is precisely one of the homelands of this product.
The product will also inside shops and skate shops Italian? Do you have a network of agents?
Yes, all this is starting. We currently have a contract with an agent who will soon begin to offer our boards shops …
Luca, I know that you are a professional graphic designer. How long does your time Sbang Board? You limited with your first job?
No. Let’s say you work for are always connected to the PC, so much of my work goes from there. Assist and develop across the web and social Sbang Board came very natural.
I saw on the site some t-shirts with the brand Sbang. Do you by chance the intention of the future to create a line of apparel?
The basic idea is to strengthen the brand Sbang. In the future, the idea is to develop clothing and later still to create a range of services related to sport. Sbang not be so only tables, but everything will be connected by a passion for this product.
How many brands there are in Italy as you?
We must differentiate between those who create tables as a hobby and those who started in a vat. In this case we can say that in all of Italy there are 4 or 5 brand like ours.
As you see him skate in Italy? How is the scene today?
Fortunately the fashion in recent years has given a blow not indifferent to the sport.
That was definitely in decline. Today there is a turnaround and definitely helps us.
Of course there is always the risk that the fashions, as passing, come and go, and influence our work.
And that’s why we do not want to tie ourselves totally to the trend of the moment, but remain to grow real interest, however, in this world that Italy remains a mysterious area with few facilities and a culture very niche.
There are very few ramps. While abroad, even in America longboard and cruiser are used as a means to get around town. Sometimes quietly to see a professional to go to work and use it until the underground, and then use it to cover the piece of road that separates it from home or office.
What we aim to make it an object as normal and not as ‘extraordinary’ as can be seen today.
E ‘for quests that we work to create an event, in Chiari. It will be an event open to all and not only to pure skater.
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