Would the quality of a board shaped by a well-known South African shaper (Spider, from Safari Surf Co in Durban) really be any better than one shaped by Lazicka Surf Design (a small-ish shaper in Devon)?

l do not know they will be like the same. but l would support a little guy.

They should be of equal quality but if u can go & have a look at one of the Devon boards & see for yourself if the quality is any good.

l have had surfboards from all different shapers & have found that it is pretty even for quality. l have had some very bad surfbooards from big name shapers. The best board l ever had (and still own) is from a small West Oz factory that sadly not going anymore.
So the only real way to know is go look at the boards & judge for yourself. Do not just go for the ''Name'' trust ur own instincts

A custom board is always a bit of a crapshoot...you wo not know what your getting until you get it.

One thing to remember - An experienced local shaper will most likely be shaping boards to match your local conditions.

Good luck.

Not necessarily. If u surf the breaks where the small UK shaper designs his boards for, they will most likely be superior to the big name shaper, who designs boards for the entire world is worth of breaks.
l have several boards made by a N.Carolina shaper, ( l surf mostly in New Jersey & S. Carolina in the US) because he knopws normal east coast conditions, & designs his boards accordingly. ( l also have a great fish that he custom shaped for me, but that is another answer.)

i've had boards from spider, really good quality, an he is happy to take any o fyour suggestions to heart for the board.

but l guess in the enhd price is the king!

If you are surfing the U.K go with your local shaper.Y ?because they usually understand local conditions that bit better and vice versa.