Flatface Fingerboards | |
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Owner: |
Mike Schneider |
Type of site: |
Distribution |
Product(s): |
Flatface fingerboards, Flatface wheels |
Founded: |
2004 |
Flatface Fingerboards is a fingerboard company created by Mike Schneider. Its early incarnation saw the production of fingerboard decks. As the years went by, the company has also produced bearing fingerboard wheels. It now sells not only Flatface wares but products from Blackriver ramps, Berlinwood, Substance and many other companies as a distribution company.
Development
Flatface fingerboards was created in what some consider the golden age of fingerboarding. Its beginnings saw creations of the first flatface deck as well as a webstore which housed other fingerboarding modifications. It shared the run of then popular fingerboard company Vegas fingerboards as it became popular in its own right due to certain situations concerning the owner, Mike Schneider. Advancements in the deck line saw the second and third generations using a sharper mold with sanding that complimented the growing skill level of Mike's direction.
The years began to show more products from Flatface. Soon would bearing wheels become produced under the Flatface flag, Speculation over Flatface being the first to create single and dual bearing fingerboarding wheels still linger within the fingerboard community. Along with the push for fingerboard wheels, the Flatface decks also saw many different generations and ply combos over the years. As of April 09th, 2011, Flatface Fingerboards is currently on their G-12 mold with a G-13 mold coming in the near future.
As a distribution company, Flatface has brought hard to find brands to the United States. Some of these companies are Blackriver Ramps, Berlinwood and Substance wheels.
Controversy
Many who were around during the early stages of Flatface suggest the popularity in FF came thanks to the trash talk against Mike Schneider, company owner. Many of the members on the RZF Fingerboard forum made fun of both the name of the company and the appearance of Mike, who was compared to a fetus(this also saw the hounding nickname of Fetus by a majority of members). FF has since became creditable due to the backbone of Mike to continue the company regardless of what was said.
Another incident comes by way of rival fingerboard wheel company, Substance Wheels. The issue stemmed from the credit of creation of the bearing fingerboard wheel. When one company came out with a wheel, the other would come out with a simular product. On FFI, discussions on either company became known as "The Wars of fan-boys" as followers of either company, plus the company owners themselves, would feud over products and other such content. All wars have been finished as FF now sells Substance wheels on their website.