Yeah, that's how the tail of mine got grinded down to a sharp blade-like object.
Pressure flips would wear a board down to a shiv like object too.
As for trucks, I have been a pretty staunch Venture guy most of my skating life. Never had a complaint with them.
For decks, I am currently riding a Girl board. I don't have an alliance to a single board company, I just look for a 7.5" width which is getting harder to find.
For wheels, Hubba all the way. Tensor also makes some good bearings if you don't want to spring for Swiss.
Some companies I avoid like the plague...
Nike
DC
Element
Anything associated with Rob Dyrdek
Zumiez (haha)
And as a natural segue, but don't mean to derail...how about the Tony Hawk GAMES??
Personal favorite is American Wasteland. Love the old school thrasher vibe of the story, and the skatepark you end up building while the story progresses is by far the best level in any of them. THUG2 was good too, since it included Skatopia (I went one year to the real skatopia, but that's a topic for another thread someday...).
American Wasteland also incorporated playable loading times. Going through the tunnels between areas and skating basic boxes was fun while the level loaded.