We use only the highest grade skateboard veneer straight from the Great Lakes region wher the wood is stiff and strong. Our skateboard veneer is compressed when cut from the long to make our skateboards even more stiff than other suppliers. Think of taking 1/2 inch peice of wood and pressing it down to 1/4 of an inch the same amount of wood that is in the 1/2 piece of wood is in the 1/4 inc wood that compressed. This makes the wood stronger and harder. Most places will try to get the most for their money because they don’t care about the end user they never see them or talk to them. At SK8factory we care about our customers and when you call you talk directly to me the owner. Yes my name is Travis and I answer the phones here. I talke directly with you the end user and any problem that ever came up we address it and make sure that we improve on it. Over the last 11 years we have had situations where problems came up and when we do we take the time to make sure that each and every skateboard made here is perfect. We have had over 11 years to perfect our skateboard manufacturing process.