landyachtz switchblade vs drop hammer

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The Best Beginner Boards 2019

Now, I’m going to make a few assumptions here. 1) This is your first of potentially many longboards, so it’s okay to focus on single purpose boards. 2) You want a longboard for learning, something easy to start with. 3) You don’t currently have any longboarding or skating skills.

Why am I making those assumptions? You’re reading this article, so you’re likely new, and it’s impossible to find one longboard that will do everything you ever will want to do on four wheels.

So, let’s first discuss what makes a good beginner board, why I’m not recommending cheap ones from Amazon, and a few examples of excellent first boards.

Table of Contents

No Amazon Boards

Amazon, Walmart, Target, <insert big box store here> boards are all off the list. I don’t care if they’re cheap. The reason I’m not recommending these is because they’re typically low quality. They’re made with terrible wood that could snap under your feet at speed, causing injury. They often have cheaply made trucks that could break from riding, won’t give you smooth turns, and will make controlling your board difficult. The wheels are going to be garbage, they’re going to chunk, and you, again could get hurt. And, finally, the reason I didn’t get into skating earlier, because the bearings are going to be awful.

A little history of Danielle. I got my first skateboard with my brother when I was about 11. We skated for a bit. I never got good at anything. I couldn’t ollie, I barely learned a pop shuvit, and going anywhere was a hassle. That’s because they had terrible bearings, hard, garbage wheels, and you had to push constantly to keep it moving. My brother and I gave up. Our boards were Mongoose skateboards from a big box store. They were cheap, and we got what we paid for.

The other reason is that an investment in good equipment will push you to go out and ride. You’ll feel an obligation because you spent good money on something. In the beginning, learning is going to be very tough. Getting up to speed is going to take perseverance. My tips will make learning easier, but you’ll still need some financial motivation.

What to Look For

There’s a decent design for a super stable skateboard. You don’t have to completely match it, but this should be the easiest thing to ride. You’ll likely want a double drop longboard with reverse kingpin trucks, about 30-40″ in length, with at least 70mm soft wheels. They’re also going to need good bearings, like those from Bones, Oust, or even Zealous (the cheapest option). Here’s the “why” of each item.

Deck : Double Drop: A “double drop” deck drops down from where the trucks are mounted, and also allows the trucks to be mounted through the deck. This puts you as low to the ground as you can get. It’ll make learning to push and stop much easier, and also provide a stable base to learn on.

Trucks : Reverse Kingpin. Reverse kingpin trucks turn less for your lean than traditional kingpin trucks. Without explaining the geometry too much, they essentially have less rake, meaning they rotate less for your lean. This makes them less “twitchy” and easier for a beginner to learn to balance on. They’re also more stable at speed. Wide trucks are great for stability, but you might kick your wheels until you get used to them. In that case, thinner, 150mm trucks will work best.

Wheels : ~70mm and soft, 75a-80a. Soft wheels will grip more and absorb the shock from cracks in the pavement or rocks better. A softer ride means you’ll be bucked off less frequently. Depending on the deck, you could load up with 80mm to 85mm soft wheels for a really smooth ride, like I did for my Pantheon Ember.

Good Examples

I’ll include my references from reputable brands that make some great longboards. I haven’t ridden all of these, but I’ll mention what I can about each one.

Landyachtz Switch 35″ or 40″

This isn’t technically a double drop. However, the drop is so massive, it’ll bring you lower to the ground and give you great places for your feet. I like boards in the 35″ range, but if you’re tall, you may want to go with a 40″. I’m tall, 5’10”, but I still like the 35″ area. Many people my height do not.However, I recommended the Switch over the Switchblade for one reason: you can get it in that 35″ size. Beginners often feel a bit out of place carrying around a large board, and I want you out there and skating every day until it feels natural!

The “Tiger” design comes with some nice 70mm XL Fatty Hawgs, which I really love. They also come with the 181mm Bear 52º trucks. I recommend flipping them as soon as you get them, just to make them more stable and less lean-based to learn on. That’s the hangar of the truck, not the whole thing. The kingpin nut should still face outward. Then flip them around when you’re more comfortable.

• Switch Skull 35 (pictured above)
• Switch Skull 40
• Switch Tiger 35
• Switchblade 38
• Switchblade 40
• Evo 36 Falcon
• Evo 40 Falcon

To flip trucks, remove the nut on the kingpin, pull off the washer, bushing, and then the truck hangar. Flip it, without removing the truck or the bushing, and put it back together. Not all trucks work like this, but on the Bear trucks, you can flip them to ride them with a bit more stability.

A former coworker of mine got started with the Switch. He was a surfer, so taking to balance wasn’t difficult, but he was able to get used to skating very quickly, at least in part due to how easy this board is to skate on.

Worth Comparing: Landyachtz Switchblade and Evo

The Landyachtz Switchblade is, like the Switch, a drop pusher. It comes in 38″ and 40″ sizes. These are going to feel more stable than the Switch, so if you don’t mind the larger size, definitely go with these. How are they more stable? Top-mount drop decks like the Switch make your standing platform kind of like a pendulum. The standing area is low, but the pivot point is higher. I’m currently testing a Rain Board 2.0 that makes use of a deck design very similar to the Switch, and I found it surprisingly carvy and nimble, but worried it could be too much for a beginner.

That’s why, if you don’t mind the extra size, the Switchblade, with its lower mounting point, will feel a little more balanced. It’s just a feel, really, but you’ll feel more locked in.

You can also check out the Landyachtz Evo. The Evo is a bit different, made for downhill stability and distance pushing. The front truck offers more nimble turns, while the back truck is made for a stable platform. The end result is something that will turn and slide with ease. However, it also is a very stable setup. You might actually really like it as a beginner. During the Broadway Bomb this year, I saw a young kid skating one of these with his father. It was incredibly wholesome.

You could also try to learn on a large pintail. Pintails have a large standing platform and are a ton of fun. They sit high though, so pushing is more difficult. I’m currently testing Landyachtz’s Pinner 44 for a review, and, I’m spoiling that review a little bit, but, I love it so much. It’s so much fun.

Also: Landyachtz Drop Cat

Finally, there’s the Drop Cat. I’ve reviewed this myself and have some new advice. For beginners, I highly recommend it, as it sits low for pushing and, if you get the stock Bear trucks, you can flip them for stability. I now recommend the Drop Cat 33 or Drop Cat 38 for beginners, and I think you’d have a lot of fun on them. They cradle you, keep you low, and can be configured to be more stable than I realized in my initial review. You can also, as I suggest in my review, go for 43º trucks if you’re worried about stability.

Pantheon Trip

I got a friend into longboarding using one of Pantheon’s boards, the Ember. Now, I’m going to be upfront with you: all of Pantheon’s boards are amazing for beginners. The Ember is flexible and forgiving, while also being more nimble than the Trip. It’s better for cities, where you may have to dodge obstacles more often. The Pranayama is super low, but it’s stiff. It’s nimble like the Ember, but won’t absorb shocks as much. Then there’s the Trip. This is a stable platform, it’s forgiving, and it’s built around reverse kingpin trucks, which mean it’ll feel the most stable. I believe any of these boards would be excellent for a beginner, but recommend the Trip or Ember the most.

I bought an Ember when I broke my wrist and needed a super stable platform for skating (against doctor’s orders) in the city. I don’t recommend skating with an injury, but… well, I didn’t fall a second time while I was healing….

Loaded Icarus

The Icarus is a flexible and stable drop through deck. Loaded uses it for their electric boards, so you know it’ll be stable at speed. It can accommodate large wheels, has a large standing platform, is flexible and forgiving, and with your weight on it, comes close to the ground. It seems to be a fun board that would be forgiving for beginners. Just make sure you select the right flex level. I recommend more flex for lighter riders, so you can get closer to the ground. I’d say if you’re 170lbs or lower, go with their “Flex 2.”

If you prefer a longer board, you could go with the Dervish Sama. It’s an incredibly flexible board. Flexible boards will be more forgiving, bring you closer to the ground, and give you a springiness that you’re definitely going to appreciate as you start carving more.

Sector 9: “Platinum Series”

It comes with Sector 9’s Gullwing trucks, which I’ve found to be decently carvy. The ones that come with this seem to have double barrel bushings, which means it should be more stable than my setup from Sector 9 was. The wheels will be soft, but they’re too small and you’re going to want to replace them with something large. Furthermore, they come with ABEC 5 bearings, which are utter trash. If you go the Sector 9 route, I almost recommend just replacing the trucks, which aren’t too bad, with Bear or Paris, which I enjoy more, and large wheels, either from Hawgs, Powell Peralta, Orangatang, or even Sector 9’s own Butterballs. When you’re ready to learn to slide, you’ll have some fun on them.

This is a wide board, giving you a lot of forgiving space for your feet. I think that’s its strongsuit. This is a large board, but you won’t feel like you’re floating over the deck, you’ll have lots of room to find a sweet spot.

Bustin Boards Sportster

The Sportster uses the same (E)Core base as my Bonsai. It’s lightweight and surprisingly stiff. The top and bottom layers are still wood. There’s a double drop, and an aggressive concave to help you lock in. It’ll help you find your balance in the center of the board simple, and keep you in place as you carve or learn to slide. The Sportster isn’t too long, but, like the Pantheon Trip, the trucks begin and end the board. That gives you a long platform to work with.

I’m not a huge fan of their wheels, and, because mine came with Ace trucks, I haven’t tried Bustin’s trucks. However, their wheels are large enough to absorb some of the rough pavement on New York streets. They’ve got a sharp lip and lose a lot of speed while carving, so they’re beginner friendly, but you might find that they fray as you get better and start sliding them.

Arbor Axis Bamboo and Dropcruiser Flagship

Axis 40 Bamboo

This is a 40″ drop-through deck with reverse kingpin trucks. It’ll be stable, won’t turn super fast, and will be best for cruising, relaxed riding, and, of course, learning! Bamboo is excellent because it’s strong, incredibly flexible, and sustainable. A flexible board is going to be a bit surprising when you step on, but Arbor has set this up with a slight convex shape, so it’ll bend under your weight into something that’s a bit flatter. You’re not going to feel where to put your feet as easily with this, but I think the flexibility and shock absorption bamboo offers will be worth it.

Dropcruiser Flagship

This is a weird board. It’s actually wider in the back than the front, something you don’t usually see. It’s better for beginners to learn foot placement for their back foot though, so you might love it. The shape is a double drop for stability and to keep it low to the ground. It’s made out of 9-ply maple though, so it’s likely going to be very stiff. You might want some shock pads. Still, it’s a large platform with a double drop for stability and ease in pushing.

My Top Pick

Honestly? I love Landyachtz. They’re a great company. Every board from them has been a favorite. You’d do well going for the Switch, Switchblade, Evo Falcon, or Drop Cat. Plus, they plant a tree for every board sold!

However, for the absolute beginner, I think the Pantheon Trip might have them beat. The board is a bit more narrow, but this will make it more portable. You’ll be more likely to carry it around if it’s light. I’d say go for that unless you want a wider or stiffer board. If you have a local shop or even a Zumiez, you can shop around and try to find something that feels right under your feet.

My “Perfect” Beginner’s Board:

• Pantheon Trip Deck $120-$130
• Paris 150mm 50º RKP Trucks : $53
• 75A Speed Vent Wheels : $76
• MuirSkate Beasto 0.13″ risers with 1.25″ bolts : $8.95
• Bones Reds with Extended Races : $35.95

Total cost, if purchased separately: $277.90-$287.90, though you can get most of this through MuirSkate or a local skate shop for less. Pantheon is working on getting those trucks in again, and will be able to sell a similar setup for under $250. I believe I got my Ember for $230. Though MuirSkate doesn’t have the 150mm Paris Trucks and is out of stock on the Trip deck currently, this setup would get you going quickly.

Update: You can get this as a complte from Pantheon for just $247. You can also upgrade the bushings with those from Orangatang for extra rebound and springiness.

Heavier Rider? No Problem!

The Pantheon Trip is a great board, but it’s really only recommended for riders up to 230lbs. Jeff, the founder of Pantheon, has had videos of more than one person on a Trip at a time, definitely over 230lbs, but this could risk damage. Once you carve hard, you could find yourself bottoming out of breaking your board. So perhaps you’re heavier rider, want to ride it hard eventually, and therefore don’t want it to be too flexible. What then?

You’re going to want something that’s already quite stiff. For that, I recommend the Landyachtz Evo Falcon 40. Complete from Landyachtz, it’s $250 . However, you may want to add thin soft risers ( or thicker ones ) and better bearings , to smooth out your ride. This build I made on MuirSkate is only a little more, and would save you money on bearings upgrades. You could also flip the hangars of those Bear Trucks to give them more stability. You may only have to do the front one, but get a feel for it! The Evo will provide a super stiff ride, but it’ll handle whatever you throw at it. I think the Trip is better for riders under 230lbs, but anyone could be happy with the Evo.

For a cheaper ride? There’s the Landyachtz Switchblade, a fantastic and stable beginner board. There’s also the Drop Cat, Drop Hammer, and Switch, all great choices.

But I want to have FUN!

You’re going to have fun on all of them, honest! But I won’t lie, I tailored these suggestions for someone looking for the most stable and easy to ride board they could get. If you want a low, easy to push, and fun for skaters of all levels, check out the Drop Cat 33 or 38 . I will recommend flipping the Bear trucks right away if you want an easier learning experience, but it’s low, it’s fun, and it’s my everyday board for commuting and freeriding. It really is a blast. It will be more difficult to start with, but it’s a whole lot of fun.

What About Cruisers?

I love cruisers. I have too many but I’m definitely buying more. I started on a Landyachtz Dinghy , but it’s a short and tall setup that can be a little tricky to learn on. I’ve heard others express interest in the Landyachtz Tugboat for its larger size. I also liked the larger wheel sizes on the Bustin Bonsai , but, again, it’s going to be a tall setup. The Bonsai does have an interesting surface which can help with foot placement though.

You could also check out the new Loaded Coyote . It’s a versatile board that can have TKP or RKP trucks and a longer wheelbase. It has wheel wells and a kick tail. However, it’s going to sit tall. All cruisers will. That’s going to make pushing and balance more difficult. Once you get it though, cruisers are an absolute blast.

To Sum it Up…

You could buy any board. Really, anything. If you want, you could learn on a 22″ Penny Board. The only thing that will change is how long it takes you to learn. I learned on a Dinghy with 0.5″ hard risers. It had small wheels, a small deck, nimble trucks, and sat high. It was nearly everything I just recommended against, and I love it . But it took me longer to learn than I would have if I had followed my advice here.

No matter what longboard you get, you’re eventually going to love the sport. So what are you waiting for? Start loving your commute, trips to your friends places, and your weekends just a little bit more. Get a longboard.

About the author

Related posts.

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How to Flip Your Trucks

No beginner here, but looking for a low pushing board for next spring. Definitely considering the Pantheon boards, mostly the Ember. The Trip seems nice too but without a tail it seems impossible to kick it up in your hands (in city traffic, I think that is a must-have).

You can drop another 20 bucks off the price of the Pantheon Trip by going with Zealous bearings. They take a little to break in but perform just as well as the reds and will probably even last a bit longer due to the nano-ceramic grease they use.

The Arbor Axis is an excellent starter board, good addition to your article. I started on one (the 37 inch maple version) earlier this year and really like it so far. It is stable and has a little bit of flex for that nice surfy feeling. Another beginner tip would be the LY Drop Hammer, which is even more stable and – at least feels – lower to the ground because of the rocker. It is really stiff though. My skate buddy owns one and he pointed out that it felt easier to skate as an absolute beginner than my Axis.

(By the way, sorry for the profile pic. Way too formal and it really kills the casual skate vibe here – but it is up there and I don’t know how to change it…)

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Landyachtz reviews

Landyachtz Drop Hammer Review

June 2, 2022

The Drop Hammer is Landyachtz’s take on the classic drop-through longboard. Check out my review of the Landyachtz Drop Hammer below to find out more.

Table of Contents

• Length:  36.5″
• Wheelbase: 27.25 
• Construction: 8plys Canadian Maple
• Stiffness: Flexible
• Max weight: Not sure but hold about 250lbs comfortably
• Wheels: 69 Hawgs or Supreme Hawgs. 69mm or 70mm respectively.
• Trucks: Reverse kingpin Bear Gen 6 trucks. 50*, 180mm.
• Bearings: Bear Space Balls Abec 7 bearings.

The Landyachtz Drop Hammer is a surprisingly comfortable and easy to ride board. I was blown away by how natural and easy to ride it felt. Within a few minutes of standing on it, I was riding confidently.

The board is simple. No fancy features, just straightforward execution. 

You get a flexible deck that has comfortable mellow concave. It isn’t too long or too short and accommodates a comfortable shoulder-width stance. It has a bit of flex which absorbs road vibrations and provides a comfortable ride over all sorts of riding environments. The flex also allows you to bounce in and out of turns, or dig into the board during a carve. It’s fun.

The deck also has cutouts that provide great clearance for wheels so you never get wheelbite (even if you use big 80mm wheels).

You get high-quality components too.

The trucks lean and turn smoothly and allow for a ton of control, they’re quite stable too. The Bear Gen 6 trucks are some of the best trucks available today and have the best feeling ride in my opinion.

Paired with the 69mm 69 Hawgs (or 70mm Supremes), you get wheels that are easy to push, roll fast, and hold their speed decently. 

These wheels are quite good, but I’d recommend you upgrade to 80mm tall wheels (if you have the money). Trust me when I say, you’ll get the most out of the Drop Hammer with them – and no wheelbite either! 

The Drop Hammer is good. It’s simple but it gets the job done super well. It’s a very easy to ride board and is very beginner-friendly.

So whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced rider looking for a stable and easy-to-ride cruiser board, the Drop Hammer is an excellent choice.

Is the Landyachtz Drop Hammer comfortable?

I was blown away by how comfortable and easy to ride the Drop Hammer is.

The board has mellow concave which comfortably cradles your feet.

It isn’t too long or too short, allowing you to have a natural shoulder-width stance on this board whilst still being able to control it comfortably. Being forced to stand too narrow or too wide on a board can be a bit tiring the longer you have to ride it for.

The board also has a tiny bit of flex. This is super useful and adds a lot of comfort to the ride. When riding over road imperfections (rougher roads, pebbles, stone roads), the flex absorbs some of the vibrations. This stops your feet from getting tired out too quickly when you’re riding.

Pro tip: Generally If you ride a rough road for very long, you’ll notice the vibrations will tire out your feet quickly. Boards with flex (and big wheels) reduce vibrations and allow you to ride for longer.

Finally, the trucks are stable and don’t turn unless you give them a direct input to turn. This is important. Instead of fighting to keep your trucks going straight, your feet can relax and you can comfortably just stand on top of the board and let it go straight. This allows you to ride for longer without getting tired.

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Does it turn well?

The Bear Gen 6 trucks turn well.

They lean and turn smoothly, and support you through the turn. They are beginner-friendly and inspire a lot of confidence. I imagine a lot of people are going to be taking aggressive carves with these trucks cause of how well they perform.

Thanks to the design of the trucks (the plug-barrel system – check out the Bear Gen 6 review for more info), these trucks are inherently stable and offer a kind of effortless riding experience. They want to keep going straight if you don’t give them any input.

And paired with the long wheelbase of the deck, it’s so easy to keep this board going in a straight line.

But yeah, this deck is turny but not as turny as a mini-cruiser.

Is the Drop Hammer nimble?

The Drop Hammer isn’t super long, but it is still a pretty longboard. This means it isn’t super nimble.

If you’re trying to weave in and out of traffic or in-between tight obstacles, you will suffer. The board doesn’t make the tightest of turns easily. 

That aside, it will be turny enough for most uses.

Is it too big (is the Drop Hammer portable)?

No, it isn’t. The Drop Hammer is probably the perfect size for a big cruiser. 

It isn’t too big, but isn’t too small to the point you’d be uncomfortable on it. It’s just right.

But in terms of portability, I only feel semi-comfortable carrying it around. I definitely feel the weight and size when I am carrying it around the supermarket or on a bus. It definitely isn’t as portable board as the Dinghy or Tugboat.

I wouldn’t mind it if I had to carry it around occasionally, but I wouldn’t be happy if I had to carry it around frequently.

Can you push far with the Landyachtz Drop Hammer?

With the stock wheels, you can push decently far on this board. I’ve found myself comfortably skating 5-7km (3-5miles).

If you upgrade the wheels to big 80mm ones as I have. Distances of 10km (6miles) and more will be manageable. 

Is the Drop Hammer easy to push and footbrake?

Because the board is drop-through, several things are affected.

Being drop-through lowers the standing platform. It makes the board more stable, and because it brings it closer to the ground, easier to push and footbrake on. You simply don’t have to reach far to get to the ground.

Are the Drop Hammer components good quality?

As a complete, the Drop Hammer comes with amazing components. All high-quality.

Are the wheels fast?

The 70mm Supreme Hawgs or 69 Hawgs work great on this board.

They accelerate quickly, roll fast, and have decent momentum. They are awesome.

The Bear Spaceball Bearings work great out of the box. 

After some initial riding, the excess lubricant will flow out of them, so make sure to wipe em down to avoid dirt coating them.

And further down the line after a few months of riding, do lubricate them. They use a thin lube that doesn’t last as long as I’d like it to. Fortunately, the inner race is exposed so lubing them up is quite easy.

I recommend Lithium grease for your lubricant as it lasts longs and provides a smooth, silent ride.

Are the trucks and bushings high-quality?

The trucks are some of the best in the game. You can’t go wrong with them, they’re awesome.

The Bear Gen 6 trucks have a leany carvy feel. Paired with the high-rebound stock bushings, you get a truck that carves well, but wants to bounce you out of the turn.

They are so playful and are a joy to have under your feet.

That said, the bushings are on the stiffer feeling side – not good for super lightweight riders. But heavy riders and beginners would appreciate how supportive they feel in the lean and turn. 

If you’re a lightweight rider, don’t hesitate to get aftermarket bushings that will lean easier for you.

The Drop Hammer looks good

I’m not a big fan of the drop-through look and shape, but the Landyachtz Drop Hammer makes it work.

Most drop-throughs have a rounded shape (on-the-wheel cutouts), and I think this makes them look tacky and a little bit ugly.

The Drop Hammer with its sharper cutouts and angled shape looks a bit more tasteful in my eyes.

This is all personal preference. But the Drop Hammer and its graphics are def a looker.

The one upgrade you should make

If you can afford it, big 80mm wheels make this board a lot better. It takes it to the next level and improves how it rides.

Apart from an additional expense and a heavier board, there are no drawbacks to doing this.

However, if you are a lighter rider (or a kid), the 70mm stock wheels may be better suited for you. It does take a bit of effort to get the 80mm wheels moving and kids may not be able to do that comfortably.

What I didn’t like about this board

Honestly, there’s not a lot I didn’t like about this board. It obviously isn’t perfect and there are changes I can make to make it more suited to me personally, but it is executed well with no inherent drawbacks in my opinion. It’s an all-around great board.

Of course, there may be some disadvantages of it being a drop-through or big cruiser, but those are inherent to the style and not a fault of the board.

Is it fairly priced?

Absolutely. Before the supply chain cost increase hit this board it was about $200 (and still is here at the Stoked Ride shop ).

Even now with the higher costs of everything (seriously, skateboarding got a lot more expensive all-around), its under $300 price point is still fair.

Is the Landyachtz Drop Hammer good for beginners?

Yes, it is. It is easy to ride and comfortable. The trucks are stable and the board is easy to control. It is one of the most beginner-friendly longboards you can get.

Where to buy the Landyachtz Drop Hammer?

You can buy the Landyachtz Drop Hammer here at the Stoked Ride Shop.

You can also buy the Drop Hammer here at Amazon.com .

Is the Landyachtz Drop Hammer right for you?

You can’t go wrong with the Drop Hammer. It will make an excellent first board for many riders.

Big thanks to all my patrons for the support – David, Squirrels Adventures, Mike, Jed, Mowgii, Jan, Josh, Jay, Jay, Bryan, @owencampbell777, @dkwan, Alex, Kasajja, Domnik, @pablo.vega.andrade, Vlad, Asa, Helge, DeLacoste, Peder, Josh, Mike, Anthony, @issishreds, Greg, Jackson, Slipa, Louisa, Bill, Steve, Brain, John, Austin, @bomber_p_, Brian, Jeffrey, Jules, Henry, Austin, Philip, Oliver, and Justin. I couldn’t write articles like this without you guys’ support.

Have any Question or Comment?

4 comments on “ landyachtz drop hammer review ”.

sirownsalot

What bushings did you end up going with BS/RS for the pictured setup on the drop hammer?

I went with 90a Venom HPF plug barrels

Kevin Krueger

Hi AbugaA, i’m considering buying this board as my 3rd board. I currently own a Lush Freebyrd which feels a bit stiff and not carvy enough and a Dinghy. Would you recommend this board for long smooth carvy rides? Thanks!

yes! Just make sure you grab some big wheels, it will make it work a bit better 🙂

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Landyachtz Switchblade Review: The Immortal Freeride Longboard

Posted on Last updated: March 7, 2024

Categories Freeride , Gear & reviews

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The Landyachtz Switchblade has been around for over a decade, yet it remains a highly regarded longboard for freeride and fast downhill riding, as well as for comfortable all-around transportation.

What is the Landyachtz Switchblade good at? It’s a super stable board at higher speed thanks to its large standing platform, double-drop construction, lowered platform, and affirmed concave for secure foot lock-in. Despite its high stability, the Switchblade is a responsive freeride board great for learning to slide, as well as a capable long-distance push commuter. It’s one of the most durable boards on the market.

Check out the pricing and reviews for the Landyachtz Switchblade on Amazon or on Landyachtz

See also: Best longboards for heavier riders

Landyachtz Switchblade shape and construction

The Switchblade is a solid and stiff, 9-ply maple wood deck with a fully symmetrical shape and huge wheel cutouts for ample wheel clearance.

An exception to the full maple construction is the pricier “Hollowtech” version of the Switchblade built using Landyachtz’s special technology. This construction results in a hollow core deck that’s astonishingly lightweight and is transparent in the light!

The tiny tail and nose (1.825″ each, no kicks) result in a large wheelbase and effective foot platform for each Switchblade size. Here are the width and wheelbase for each version:

• Switchblade 40″: 10″ wide, 31″ wheelbase
• Switchblade 38″: 9.8″ wide, 29″ wheelbase
• Switchblade 36″: 9.5″ wide, 27″ wheelbase

The Switchblade has a drop-through constructio n with the trucks mounted across the deck’s “wingtips” – the baseplate sits above the deck while the hanger sits below it.

The deck is also dropped , meaning the standing platform sits lower than the level of the truck mounts, which makes it a “ double-drop ” deck (since it also has a drop-through mount). Unlike other dropped decks, the drop is not vertical but slanted, allowing you to tuck your feet against it.

Another key complementary aspect of the deck’s shape is the prominent W concave which creates two deep pockets between each truck mount and the middle section of the deck.

So while the standing platform is globally lower than the truck mounts, the deep pockets at each end of the platform make are even lower to the ground than the midsection, cuddling your feet in a secure lock-in.

The drop-through mount and carefully engineered foot pockets make for a significantly reduced distance to the ground and hence a very stable, comfortable, and secure ride.

Landyachtz Switchblade riding experience

Again, the main impression from riding the Switchblade is one of sheer stability and security when going fast, due to the lowered center of gravity.

The board is also surprisingly responsive and maneuverable at higher speeds given its sheer size and wheelbase – even the 40″ version. The turny and carvy Grizzly Bear trucks make the board lively. The slanted dropped shape gives you good leverage over the trucks, noticeably better than with a classic vertical drop.

Due to the large wheel cutouts, you never experience wheelbite including when doing tight carves on a bigger slope – even with the big 70mm wheels the board comes stock with (see setup section).

Sliding on the Switchblade

Breaking into slides is easy due to the lower ride and gravity center. Learning to slide on the Switchblade is greatly facilitated by the secure feel provided by the deep foot pockets and the raised rails.

The foot lock-in, the great stability, and the responsive turning all combine to give you the confidence to push the board out sideways by pressing on the uplifted edges and shifting your weight off the board while facing downhill.

The Switchblade is truly an excellent board for a beginner freerider to build his/her sliding skills on. The symmetrical shape also makes switch riding and 180º slides easier. The absence of kicks, however, prevents more sophisticated freeride tricks.

Downhill riding on the Switchblade

It’s also a capable downhill board, again thanks to its outstanding stability at high speed and its uber-secure concave. The responsiveness in turns also makes it suitable for high-speed corners. Pre-drifting is easy on this board – although you probably won’t hold as tight and clean lines as on a top mount speed board.

Commuting on the Switchblade

The Landyachtz Switchblade is suitable for distance pushing and commuting, being a stable low-riding longboard. The large wheelbase makes it comfortable for kick-pushing over long durations. The only caveat is the strong concave and foot pockets which lock your feet in specific positions, hindering your ability to adjust your position when pushing.

While the Switchblade is a good downhill carver thanks to its maneuverable and lively ride, here again, many riders feel that the deep W concave sometimes restricts the foot movement in a negative way, e.g. when pumping which requires constant foot adjustments.

Also, while the big cutouts offer high wheel clearance for doing tight carves, the very low foot pockets may sometimes scrape the ground e.g. when encountering small terrain bumps in hard turns.

Landyachtz Switchblade setup

The Switchblade comes with Bear Grizzly GR852 trucks which are extremely smooth, responsive and carvy trucks. The 852s play a key role in the Switchblade’s overall responsiveness and high maneuverability in spite of its size and weight. I’ve used the GR852 for months and really love the way they feel (see my review of the Landyachtz Chief pintail for more details).

The Switchblade in all three sizes ships with 70mm Mini Zombie Hawgs wheels (80A duro ). The Mini Zombies are good round-lipped wheels with an offset core. Despite being relatively soft for smooth rolling on all kinds of terrain, these wheels break traction easily and offer a smooth slide and predictable hook-up. They are very suitable for learning to slide and are quite durable (less prone to flat spots).

The Bear Spaceball bearings that come with the Mini Zombies have built-in spacers, which help preserve the Grizzly trucks from premature damage when learning to slide.

Note: the Bear and Hawgs brands are owned by Landyachtz, which guarantees the quality of the components included in the Landyachtz setups.

Switchblade visual designs

The Switchblade comes in a few attractive, mountain-inspired graphic designs that convey the board’s freeride and downhill primary riding purpose:

Mountains Blue Fade 40″

Mountains Yellow Fade 38″

Mountains Green 36″

Hollowtech Mountains Yellow 40″

Mountains Blue 40″

Mountains red 38″

See the Landyachtz Switchblade’s pricing and buyer reviews on Amazon or on Landyachtz

Final words

The Landyachtz Switchblade is a highly reliable and durable board that will help you get into freeride or downhill by offering you comfort, stability and security without losing maneuverability.

A low-riding longboard, the Switchblade is also suitable for long-distance pushing and commuting provided you get used to the aggressive concave. The quality stock setup that ships with the complete also contributes to making this board smooth rolling and fast turning, both on flat land and hills.

You can pick the right size Switchblade for your height, weight, and personal riding goals. You can also opt for the Hollowtech version for a more lightweight and portable board. Without a doubt, after all these years, the Switchblade is still great value for money.

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• Drop Through Longboards | Drop Thru Longboard

Landyachtz Drop Hammer Skate Or Dye Drop Thru Complete Longboard

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Description

The Landyachtz Drop Hammer Skate or Dye Drop Thru Longboard Complete is a light, stiff and highly carvable board.  The Drop Hammer is great for anyone looking to spice up their commute, carve down a mellow hill, get rad on their way to class or just get out for an afternoon ride with friends. Drop mounted, symmetrical and packed full of awesomeness!

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Family owned since 2006, The Longboard Store offers quality brand-certified longboard completes, longboard decks, trucks, wheels, and accessories. Longboarding is a unique skating experience and we offer only the highest quality longboards and related tech to guarantee a smooth ride. We offer longboard completes with all brand certified equipment. However, if customization is what you’re after, we offer a wide variety of decks, trucks, wheels, and other accessories for your longboard. The longboard community is a unique crew so even if you start off with a complete, you can switch up your trucks and wheels depending on your mood and destination. Check out the different longboard brands we sell like Arbor , Landyachtz , and Sector 9 . By shopping with us, you’re guaranteed free USA shipping and no sales tax. Start browsing our high quality selection today and find the longboard that perfectly matches your riding style.

Free Shipping USA/CA on orders over $125 – excluding bikes

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Drop Hammer – Skate or Dye

Light, stiff and highly carvable. The Drop Hammer is great for anyone looking to spice up their commute, carve down a mellow hill, get rad on their way to class or just get out for an afternoon ride with friends. The Skate or Dye features a vibrant new graphic we cooked up in-house that is sure to bring some brightness to your day every time you grab your board and head out your front door.

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Neighbourhood | mellow hills | campus | pathway

DESCRIPTION

The Drop Hammer is a symmetrical drop-through longboard measuring 36.5″ long and 10″ wide. Its low ride height makes it an ideal city commuter and its medium concave and reasonably stiff construction make it a perfect board for an introduction to freeriding and carving on bigger hills. The Drop Hammer has been modified to work perfectly with the new Grizzly Gen 6 180mm trucks for maximum turning and super deep carves. 70mm 78a Supremes finish the set up off for super smooth slides.

Gen 6 180mm

Redesigned from the ground up and incorporating technology perfected in our high end DH and Freeride trucks, Gen 6 Grizzlies are the best performing cast trucks on the market today. Game changing strength and highly refined steering geometry are just the tip of the iceberg.

70mm Supremes

The ultimate all-rounders, we designed the 70mm Supremes to do anything you could want to do on your longboard and do it well. We use a medium sized plastic core to work with the shape of the wheel and a 78a urethane formula for good acceleration and roll speed while providing predictable slides and ample grip. Upgrade your ride today with a set of Supremes.

 Spaceballs are our answer to all of your bearing problems.  Never again can you lose your washers, or spacers because we’ve built them into the inner race!  On the functional side, this means your bearings are always mated correctly which negates any bearing-induced chatter. 

Orders are currently leaving our warehouses within 1 – 3 business days. For us, “business days” means Monday – Friday as we do not ship orders on weekends. From Monday to Friday our hours of operation are 9am – 5pm PST, excluding statutory holidays. Order processing times are subject to change and orders may ship out later (or earlier) than the aforementioned window – depending on how busy we are.

USA:  Free Shipping on orders above $125*. Express/Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost.

• West Coast*  – all orders shipped ground, average transit time is 2-3 days.
• East Coast* –  all orders shipped express from our LA warehouse, transit time is usually around 5-7 days.

CANADA:  Free Shipping on orders above $125*. Express/Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost

REST OF THE WORLD:  Live rates based on destination.  Customers are responsible for any local taxes, duties and customs clearance fees on their order.

At Landyachtz we have always aimed to improve the quality of the skateboard you ride and we strongly believe in the boards we make. You can rest assured knowing that, in the rare case of defect, our skateboards come with a 1 year warranty.  

The more we know, the easier it is to help your claim!  The best way to submit your warranty claim is using the form below .   There you can provide all of the necessary information and images we require to assess  your warrant y  claim. Before completing the form please ensure you have photos that show the top and bottom of the board as well as detailed pictures of the affected area.

Please allow us 3-7 business days for us to asses your warranty claim and get in contact with you. We will do our best to make sure you’re back on a quality skateboard as soon as possible.

The   following issues are not covered by our warranty:

• Impact damage, including snaps and cracks
• Run over by a vehicle (or horse)
• Scratches or minor chips
• Water damage

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Flex Ratings

We’ve categorized the stiffness of our boards into 3 main groups, listed below.  The general rule is the faster you’re skating, the stiffer the deck, but this is not universal.

Flexy – Soft and supple flex profile best suited for carving and cruising on longer boards. The bouncy nature of these decks lets you turn deeper and surf your surrounds.

Medium – The do it all of our boards, a perfect balance of stability and carve. 

Stiff – From cruisers to downhill boards a stiff flex profile excels in stability and responsiveness.  Whether you’re dipping into driveways or bombing a mountain pass you’ll be down with the stiffness.