Creative Hub: Sk8 Shades by Dave de Witt

Sk8 Shades are hand crafted sunglasses made from recycled skateboards by ‘jack of all trades’ Dave de Witt who has journeyed through as a flowrider instructor, skatepark manager, rock wall attendant, cruise ship employee to self employed skatepark builder, cabinetmaker, custom furniture designer and now sunglass maker.

Necessity being the mother of invention, Dave started off in may 2008 when his sunglasses broke, he discovered he had tools and resources to make himself another rather than spend money on a new one. He also had proclear contact lenses, anyway.

Dave describes the 3-5 day Sk8 shades process

“The process starts with old boards being sliced up, planed, laminated, cut into veneers and then laminated into the final shape with a cross laminated core for strength. The temples are re-sawed noses and tails of skateboards taking advantage of the ready-made curves, or they can be made to match the layered frame. I have made custom templates and molds to shape the lens apertures and frame as accurately as possible.

To mount the lenses securely I custom made my own router bit from an old bit. Lenses will be Polaroid polarized lenses, which pass European Class 1 and Australian sunglasses standards, the highest standards currently set. South Africa has no set standards, but I want to produce the finest quality product. Hinges are currently being imported from China, solid nickel, high quality. Spring hinges will be available shortly. Currently I am working by myself, but am looking into getting some employees to up production time”- HST