A very common question we get asked: What are the differences between the Slayer, Slayer 2 and Blackbird? Below are the key points and differentiating factors between each model:
Slayer
- Designed for slabs.
- Meant to be ridden a few inches shorter than your avg short board
- Lower entry moderate tail rocker
- Tail is only an inch wider than the nose
- Area and volume typically forward. 1 to 1.5 inches.
- Bottom is a light single into medium plus single through center and sweet spot tailing off through the fins. Newer versions, I’ve modified the bottom slightly on some customs. Med single through the center into a light double through the fins.
- Feel: handles size, handles the drop easily. Want to pull a bit straighter line.
Slayer 2
- Designed to be a little more versatile than the original.
- Meant to be ridden a couple of inches longer than your shortboard.
- More entry rocker. A touch more tail rocker.
- Wide point and volume centered.
- Nose width app 1.5 inches less than tail.
- A little more curve in the back third of the template.
- Bottom is a light single into a light double through the zone.
- Feel: handles big surf, a little looser off the bottom and top than the original.
Blackbird
- An all-around step up board that translates into longer guns. Our go to bigger board.
- Ridden anywhere from roughly 2 inches longer to 3 feet longer.
- Rocker in nose is healthy. I don’t believe in heavily rockered boards, especially the front end of longer boards. Tail rocker is somewhat aggressive.
- Nose width is anywhere from .75 less to 1.5 less than tail.
- Volume is balanced, sometimes slightly forward.
- Bottom is light concave in the center and gets to a moderate depth double vee through the sweet spot. Bottom becomes more convex as the board gets longer.
- Feel: Easy transition up. Good speed yet is loose on turns. Handles!!!
