What is the difference between flatface (and other top brands) and say a Chinese made fingerboard such as 4 corner or star fingerboarding? What stands them apart from the 25$ completes?

To start off with, the china decks are mass produced... not hand crafted.

They are generally made by people who are not into fingerboarding at all, but who are into business and making money...

I don't see anything wrong with these boards for a beginner (performance wise), the biggest downfall that I see is that you would not be supporting your fingerboarding community, But would be supporting the masses of people after the almighty dollar!

Flatface has been around for 11yrs perfecting Decks, same as some of the other big names. I would rather support and trust someones decks who has been in the scene, and riding every day for years...

Just my 2 cents.

J.

True, I'll have to test a flatface as I get better.

Not just flatface, but a lot of decks from guys/girls that ride...

What are some of your favs?

I strongly suggest to try berlinwoods and blosom(if you can find one) ! Also yellowood is good but the shape is kind of odd imo.. byt anyways my point is that china is good to start with but after you can afford a good deck you will never want to touch chinas again it really is a huge difference between the performance

Good to know! I will likely explore other brands as I get better. Thanks