What is a fingerboard?
History of the fingerboard
Fingerboards originated in the late 1970s, when skateboarders began making small wooden replicas of skateboards to perform tricks and test new designs. Early finger boards were simple, often handmade from wood or cardboard. But by the 1990s, companies like Tech Deck popularized the concept of fingerboard sports with realistic designs, metal trucks, and grip tapes.
Today, play fingerboard is both a hobby and a competitive sport, with parks, ramps, and various events where skateboarders can showcase their technical skills and creativity.
Common fingerboard production processes
Modern fingerboards are manufactured with sophisticated technology. The most common manufacturing methods include:
Compression Molding: Thin sheets of wood or plastic are layered and pressed into a mold to create the concave shape of the deck.
CNC Cutting: Computer-controlled machines precisely shape each deck, ensuring consistent size and design.
Polishing and Painting: After molding, the deck is smoothed, painted, and coated for durability and style.
Assembly: Grip Tape, decks, trucks, and bearing wheels are installed to complete the mini skateboard assembly.
This combination of processes enables brands to create both mass-produced pro fingerboards and custom handcrafted finger skateboards.
Choosing the Right Finger Board Material
Different finger board materials can significantly affect performance and feel.
Wooden fingerboards: These fingerboards are the most popular among professional players. They offer excellent flexibility, realistic texture, and durability, making them ideal for performing tricks.
Plastic finger boards: Plastic finger boards are generally more affordable and suitable for beginners. They are lightweight and offer a variety of designs, but they lack the tactile control of wooden finger boards.
Mixed Materials: Some modern finger skateboard utilize multiple layers of material (wood, carbon fiber, or metal) to increase strength and precision.
We still recommend a wooden deck fingerboard, as it's easier to practice tricks like kickflips and ollies.