i think i have a way to manufacture a very affordable ($30-40) plastic hand plane complete with a leash that works better than anything else on the market. something for a person who wants to hand plane, but doesn't want to pay $120 for a hipster novelty item. would you buy it?
Eh. I wouldn't buy any handplane. Not my thing. If i were to buy one I would rather spend 30-40 over 120. But then again I would probably make my own.
Salty, I think if you were to provide some pictures and give some empirical data, there are quite a few people on the Paipo blogs that would show some strong interest. Hand planes are enjoying a bit of a comeback right now.
Mark would go I think Mark Cunningham is one of the greatest surfers of all time, and he goes prone. They just had him in Redbull magazine The Red Bulletin with Keith Malloy, Mike Stewart, and a few other chargers bodysurfing Chopes in good sized and very thick barrells. I post this because I am an avid bodysurfer and usually do it without fins or handplanes. I use my hand as a handplane. But I would try it out, especially one made from a SI legend. $30 - sign me up.
http://mypaipoboards.org/forum3/viewforum.php?f=1 http://rodndtube.com/paipo/forum/index.php http://www.swaylocks.com/forums/show-us-your-paipos-prone-boards Haven't seen "rodndtube" here on SI in a while, but he shows up from time to time occasionally. Seems to be a very knowledgeable and experienced waverider.
I'm not a serious body surfer and to be honest, never tried hand planes. Understand their functionality and would like to try them at some point. Good luck, keep us updated please.
I think the people who buy handplanes like that it's a "hipster novelty item" and thus are ok with paying the extra price. I also imagine it's a very tiny market. Just my thoughts!
It is a "niche" market for sure. But a lot of millionaires became wealthy developing a product for niche markets. I used to do a lot of body surfing as a kid, and we used the palms of our hands as planes. I can understand how a plane would work. I say go for it--develop the product!! As you go along, you may find other products that could expand into a line of body surfing, billboarding products.
Sometimes when I wipe out I end up accidentally bodysurfing. It's actually pretty fun! Definitely beats getting scorpioned under. Would there be a way I could have one of these as a back up, easy draw kinda item? Awesome idea though. I'd say go for it. When i get better at surfing and start branching out (inevitable) into body surfing - I'd love to have a product like this available to me. Good luck dude! That being said: Sorry, had to
I probably would. I have a couple I made from old skateboards and other wood. They are fun to mess around with but I always wanted one that was more bouyant.
thanks all for the feedback. i am literally and figuratively testing the waters regarding the idea, and so far, there's no legit negative feedback that seems to put the kibosh on it. i'm thinking, this will be my winter project, and I gotta get serious if I want to make it happen. i know some folks who got the manufacturing hookups in China, etc, so I gotta find out how much producing a prototype will cost. i got multiple models in-mind, colours, and all that good sh**. every kid will want one, and they can buy it all by themselves if they skip lunch a few days a week and pocket their momz money. gonna be rich bichez!
Something very similar to this actually existed in the mid to late 70's...believe it or not, it was called the "Hand Plane". Had a little leash attached, pointed nose and fishy tail, it even had a freaking Lightening Bolt painted on it. Kinda went the way of the Dodo Bird, original Churchills and Primo Wetsuits.
