Nice little Handplane Makin Video

Here is a great little video.  I personally go about it a whole different way and use totally different tools, but the end result is the same.  It goes to show you that you can use almost anything to make yourself a fine little craft.  I approve.

Thomas Surfboards from Bird Man Media on Vimeo.

This is what I'm talking about!

DIY. I love seeing others make their own handplanes. I could give a ... if you copy mine for your own personal use. Honestly, I would rather see someone walking down the beach with their own handshapes, whether it be a copy of mine or not, then one that I made. Albeit, it is kinda nice seeing a perfect stranger carrying something that came out of the shop. And obviously, it you don't have the time, place, or means to make your own, then I'll happily try and point you in the right direction. Here is something from Lucas and pics of the fine craft that he made. I can almost see the shit eating grin he had after sliding on his first few waves. Pure stoke!

"After surfing a Hess handplane last weekend I decided to shape my own. This thread, especially Brownfish's designs, provided a ton of useful information and inspiration. I made my plane out of balsa with walnut stringers, carved it with an angle grinder, a random orbital sander, and hand sanded it to my liking. I pretty blatently copied a Brownfish, but I think it's said that mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery. Surfed it yesterday in waist to chest high beachbreak and it was a blast, by far the best bodysurfing session I've ever had. Surfed until the strap broke, actually. But I think I've got a system that will work, gonna try it in the shop tonight."

Anyway, here it is, my first handplane:

As for the strap problems, I would recomend using 1" webbing. You can get it at any climbing store and some fabric stores. Then, instead of using individual washers, jimmy up some kind of plate that will span the width of the strap, maybe 1" x 1/2" and drill two holes in it. 2 screws go through the plate, then through the strap and into the board. Pre-screw it, take it apart, then add a couple of drops of 5 minute epoxy into the screw hole, then screw it all back together. This should provide a bit longer lasting strap set-up. If you want it to be adjustable, use two separate pieces of webbing, and sew a couple 3-4" pieces of velcro to each side. Hope this helps.

Brownfish Handplanes Now Available in Canada

Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) has finally got thier shipment of 21 handplanes through customs and up on thier on-line store.  They are also available in 3 of their coastal stores.  You can check them out, and purchase them at:
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302889730

MOB VIDEO OF THE YEAR

These are the kind of good, clean, fun things I hope my kids get involved in when they are of age.

LNF: Lowers Raid! from Lastnamefirst.tv on Vimeo.

THE LONGER VERSION

Captain Barbosa's Raid On Lower Trestles from Jacob Epstein on Vimeo.

Short and Fat - The Revolution

They have now been tested extensively by sliders that have been addicted for a while. All agree, the Brownfish is the best plane as an introduction and is a good all-around performer. The Short and Fat is the best performer once the basics have been attained and you are looking for something that will keep you higher on the face and put you in more critical sections. The Short and Fat is basically the top 2/3 of a Brownfish Model, cut down to 12", a very deep spine with an outer V. This is by far my favorite model that I have ever made. These are the first two after the prototype. The only change that will be made to the public, is the Short and Fat model will be getting a Moontail instead of the swallow/Fish tail. These should be available in shops soon, and hopefully in the Brownfish On-line store (if I ever get caught up). Keep checking back for availability, as I usually post pics of all the shop orders that go out.

Paulownia Barn Closes

From the Paulownia Barn Website:

"Dear Customers,

The bad economy and irresolvable insurance issues have made it necessary to close the Paulownia Barn, LLC, effective immediately. We do, however, have lumber in inventory and will sell it on a first-come-first-served basis until it is gone. To those whom we have been honored to serve over the past several years--and especially those who have become friends--THANK YOU! It's been a fun ride!
Rod Mortenson"

It is a sad day in the US Paulownia World for many.  Rod Mortenson is closing up the Paulownia Barn.  Especially for those of us that have relied on Rod for making our water toys.  I'm pretty sure he has been the main supplier of Paulownia to the US surf/bodysurf  scene.   I have only shaped one handplane, out of the 400 or so, that didn't originate at the Paulownia Barn.  That one was given to me, and, I'm pretty sure it was a cut-off from an Alaia blank, that had come from Rod.  Rod has been a great asset to me and Brownfish Handplanes.  Always courteous, always on time, and always a real great guy.  It will be a relationship that is sorely missed. 

When one door closes, another often opens.  I found out from an e-mail from Mark Marchesi, and immediately started scrambling.  Luckily I just recieved a large shipment of blanks last week that should hold me over.   I called Rod and talked to him for a good while.  Too much Red Tape and honestly, I think he's ready to relax for a while.  After talking to Rod, I recieved and e-mail from a friend that happens to work both in the wood industry and the surf industry.  If you know where wood goes in a surfboard, well then you just might know what I mean.  I called him and was able to learn that He has been working on a Paulownia deal for quite some time and is in it's final stages.  This Paulownia is from a well respected US Mill in the WOOD world.   He should have Paulownia for us all soon.  When the deal is finalized, I will post some information and will also link him up to this site. 

Until then, ROD, you will be missed.  Have fun and get some good chillaxin in.    G

These Have Got to be Some of the

Nicest handplanes I've seen to date. I've always based my general design off the Mini-Sims concept, but, this is taking it to the next level. Thanks David for forwarding this pic to me and very strong work!

Taiwan Sliding

Jason is spending some time over in Taiwan. He Purchased a Brownfish Handplane with GoPro just prior to leaving. He is on the list to get a new Short and Fat. He's been squeeking out these nice videos lately. This he says was shot entirely with his handplane. Especially like his run-in with the police near the end. Strong work Jason!

Patagonia Cardiff's got Planes

For all that have been enquiring about Patagonia Cardiff's next order, here they are. 1 El Gigante, 3 Brownfish, 2 Barrel Riders, and 2 Pinliners. Combined with the clear BR and Pinliner that they still had in Stock, that makes 10. They are ready and willing to ship to your door.  You can contact them at:

Patagonia Cardiff

2185 San Elijo Ave.

Carfiff-by-the-Sea, CA. 92007

760-634-9886

http://www.patagonia.com/us/patagonia.go?assetid=5172&src=vuca_0005&src=vuca_005

Mr. Humble - Mark Ghattas

Yesterday I was attached to a photo on Facebook. It was Mark Ghattas on a nice little wave in Orange County.

 

I made this pinliner back in March, and Mark recieved it in early April.

After doing a little digging, I found these pictures of Mark, a few weeks after recieving his pinliner.  He was down in Ixtapa for the "5th Torneo Internacional Bodysurf Handboard"

And you know what....

HE WON!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS MARK