The Process is called Marquetry

In November 2012 Dudebarn1, Jake Gascoyne and I headed to Vancouver, in Dudebarn’s fuel efficient car, to see the #prettysweet screening. What my friends didn’t realise is that we were also going there to work. The 2nd and final round of Folk Custom Skateboards produced Predatory Bird-in-Hand-crafted decks were in need of a love injection. Fate had dictated that I was the only one with the appropriate syringe.

MARQUETRY (mar·que·try)
Noun:
Inlaid work made from small pieces of variously colored wood or other materials.

We needed to check each cut for imperfections that require sanding with some 220 grit.
considering
Some need to be finished by hand. Carefully working through score by score with a craft knife gets the job done.
shapes still need cut by hand
The positive space of 800 little wooden letters. Very rad.
800 little wooden letters
150 pieces of wooden beak.
150 sharp little wooden beak bits

RsandEsandDs

200 golden fingers to keep the bird in its place.
200 golden fingers
400 or so bits of golden hand

positive space cut with the machine
The negative space is where it gets really fiddly. You should make sure your fingers are as cold as possible for this job.
the negative spaces are dark and many
Child labour.
young jake was enlisted to paint stain on the spaces for the ps and rs and as and bs
Nimble fingers for fiddly finger work.
nimble fingers for fiddly finger work
Piecing the pieces, piece by piece.
piece by piece we piece the pieces

Carefully stacking the assembled veneers trying not to shoogle them.
carefully stacking the assembled veneers trying not to shoogle them
Neighbourly conduct.
neighbourly conduct
“Okay,the alignment is critical at this stage, confidence is key!”
getting instruction
Perhaps the laying on of hands will help.
pressing in the magic

“Gingerly now. Ma fingers are in here. GINGERLY!!!”
gingerly
SEND IN THE ELEPHANTS!!! PRESSURE!!! PRESSURE!!!
5 tonne o pressure
in search of the miraculous

The last of it’s breed. Available to buy now here —> in The Shop.
Stamping number 3 of 50

If you enjoyed checking this out and you know of some friends out there you think might also enjoy the process or be interested in a deck then please share this post around by tweeting the link, posting as a status, blogging or whatever you like. All help spreading the word around appreciated. If you tag me I’ll do my best to at least say thanks. The short production video showing the original run of decks being constructed can be seen here. Many thanks and best of luck out there.

12 replies on “The Process is called Marquetry”

  1. I have seen the opposite side many times in China and loads of brands use wood blends, won't mention names, but they're out there. Sometimes they sell wood blends without knowing and I guess this is attributed to them buying blind, no QC/QA. jual crystal x asli mengatasi & menghilangkan keputihan These boards are sick and not at all in the same categorie as mass produced boards.There are certain products that can be made there, but not this type. Keep it up and email me if you need any help with getting any other products. distributor crystal x asli nasa

  2. As a matter of interest, ar you gonna send any to Slam City Skates ?

    Short of Focus in Edinburgh, and of course Clan in Glasgow, I can think of anywhere that I might be deserving of such prestigious craftsmanship

    1. A couple of small wooden ones got knocked down the back of the workbench but beyond that all nails got through clean. Thanks for being concerned.

  3. Looking good! The detailed work your doing is amazing and seeing this makes me appreciate the one I already have even more now. I will need to swoop in on one of these before the other predators get them all. -Frank

    1. Radical. Thanks Frank. I should state that there will be no more of these after this. There's only so much a man can call something a “limited run” before it becomes just some more sales jargon.Anyway, the whole project has been a look at the opposite end of the production spectrum. I mean, afair bit of work goes into mass produced boards too. Wood for any board in the mall is harvested in the same places as these PB boards but that's where the paths of projects like this and mass-market brands diverge. I'm certain there are chinese woodshops that could knock out 300 boards a day, that look just like these, but I think by that point something – more than just a profit margin – gets lost.

      1. These are unique, not just the cookie cutter boards seen on the mass market now. I actually wasn't thinking of the "limited run" aspect, more just stoked to see another set coming out. Hopefully you can get some other ideas rolling and get some more products out for everyone.

        I have seen the opposite side many times in China and loads of brands use wood blends, won't mention names, but they're out there. Sometimes they sell wood blends without knowing and I guess this is attributed to them buying blind, no QC/QA. These boards are sick and not at all in the same categorie as mass produced boards.There are certain products that can be made there, but not this type. Keep it up and email me if you need any help with getting any other products.

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