Ben Degros mentioned in a recent video that his new batch of blanks are coming in from China, plus latest IG clips had him on a Maven deck, a brand based out of China.
Been testing out a couple of decks from there and the quality has been well above average. Decided to setup a Promade because it had the dimensions I liked: long length, short wheelbase.
Promade 8.25 - 8.25 x 32.1 x 14.25, incredibly steep concave and kicks, felt like I was stepping in a dish
Venture 5.6 V-Hollow w/ cast baseplate - Can't beat the pinch, may go back to a forged baseplate to compensate for the steep kicks
Spitfire 52mm Radial Slims 99a - much more forgiving than the Bones V3 I was riding, every time I ride F4 I ask myself why I even bothered with other wheels
Blank Ceramic bearings - $15, worth a shot
Assorted hardware and griptape
Lots of ghost pop on day 1 but I attribute that to 4 weeks worth of military training and minimal skateboarding. I may swap to a forged baseplate to compensate for the steep kicks. But after 1 session (before the rain came in), the deck felt promising but would need a longer break in time.