The stringer is the wooden spine running down the center of your board (and sometimes multiple stringers). It's both functional — providing structural support and controlling flex — and aesthetic. Stringer choice is one of the most personal decisions in a custom build.

Stringer Types

Basswood — The budget option. Strong, common, light golden color. No frills but reliable. Most affordable.

Cedar & Dark Wood (½") — The classic choice. Beautiful warm color, great aesthetics, slightly more expensive than basswood. This is what most people picture when they think "wooden stringer."

Wide Balsa (1-2") — Premium option. Incredibly light and beautiful. Provides excellent flex characteristics. One of Blake's favorites for how it looks and feels. More expensive.

Multi-Wood Glue-Ups — Custom combinations of different woods creating unique striped patterns. Blake's favorite for the final aesthetic result. Each build becomes truly one-of-a-kind.

Colored Foam Strips — Instead of wood, use colored foam strips that match your resin tint. Modern, clean look. Good for solid-color resin builds.

1/8" Ply Black — Minimal look, works great with resin tints. Clean, contemporary aesthetic. Standard for performance-focused designs.

Stringer Configuration

Single Stringer — Standard. One stringer down the middle. Works for all board types.

Double Stringers — Two stringers with spacing around the fin boxes (typically 1 1/8" gap center-to-center). Adds extra support for larger boards or twin-fin setups. Also creates a cool visual element.

Double Stringer Wedge — Two stringers that angle slightly, meeting at the tail. Unique look, functional for certain designs.

Wedge Stringers — One stringer that angles or tapers, typically narrowing toward the tail. Modern, high-performance look.

Glue Lines — Intentional contrasting lines created by the glue between pieces of wood. Can be subtle or bold depending on your vision.

Blake's Philosophy

Blake loves stringers because they're the intersection of function and art. Your stringer choice shows up in every photo, every session, every morning when you walk into your garage.

For most surfers: Cedar or multi-wood glue-ups strike the best balance between beauty and affordability.

For performance-focused builds: 1/8" ply black or colored foam for a clean, streamlined look.

For luxury builds or wall hangers: Wide balsa or custom multi-wood glue-ups for maximum impact.

Most importantly: choose what makes you smile when you look at your board.