Just want to gather some opinions on this topic.

Some lads close to home have started to make boards - pretty nice shapes and decent quality.

The price is considerably below the top end and probably around the entry end of the market - sitting where they should be I guess..

My question is - is it worth the punt on going with these less experienced shapers to:

save price
give them the experience
help them along,
which will in turn
help the local industry and shaping industry survive

OR

Should we stick with the experienced, proven shaper and pay the difference?