Cutting boards

Like custom cabinetry and furniture, cutting boards are a lot of fun to make for me, but it's different.  Designing and crafting custom cabinetry and furniture is a very dynamic process with twists, turns, stops, turn arounds, change of plans - all with an end goal in mind.  Crafting a cutting board is similar in that I am making something, but it's a totally different process.  I batch boards out using small production runs with multiple tasks done one after another to help ensure each step is done efficiently and accurately.  In the end I'm still crafting something, but doing a cutting board run gives me the opportunity to get lost in my carefully thought out step by step routines that I do every time I do a batch of boards. 

I have a couple lines of cutting board.  The "standard large size" line is approximately 1 1/4" thick and measures approximately 11” x 18”. The "premium large size" board has the same dimensions, but is 1 1/2" thick. All boards have a juice groove cut on the top near the edges to help prevent juices running onto the counter top. The corners are rounded off and the edges rounded over for easy handling. Finger grips are cut into the sides so it is easy to lift. The glue used is waterproof and food safe. I use a blend of mineral oils and wax to finish these boards, all of which are food safe. 

An additional criteria for my cutting and charcuterie boards is the woods I use have to be allergen free.  Walnut is a gorgeous wood, but it also can trigger nut allergies.  There are plenty of other woods available that do not trigger allergic reactions and I happily use those to craft my boards.  The woods I commonly use in my standard line are are maple (a very light brown color), cherry (medium brown color with at times a reddish hue), and sapele (typically a dark brown color).  My premium line uses those same woods as well as padauk (an imported wood with a reddish/orangeish color), and purpleheart (an imported wood that actually is purple). All of these woods are true hardwoods and have a grain structure that is closed enough to prevent bacteria from building up inside the board.  These woods will last a long time in a cutting board provided it is cared for.

Rubber feet are an option I offer on my boards. They are an option and I do not install them without being told to do so.  Many people prefer their cutting boards to not have them as it gives them the ability to flip the board over to cut on the bottom side should they need to cut something quickly without having to wash the board in between. Rubber feet will add 5/16” to the height and will also help prevent the board from sliding on the counter top. Another benefit of rubber feet is they do not allow the board to create suction to the countertop. Let me know when you purchase this if you want rubber feet installed otherwise they will not come with the board. That said, rubber feet make it more difficult to cut things on the bottom of the board.

The page that covers cutting board care such as cleaning and reapplying finish is here.

Sapele and maple

Maple and sapele 

Maple and cherry

This is my premium line of cutting boards. It has the same features as my standard line, but I use different woods and cut the strips of wood into thinner sections to create more dynamic visual patterns.  The length and width are similar to the standard line, but I make the premium line 1 1/2" thick. This particular one is made out of maple, sapele, padauk (orange/reddish tint), and purpleheart.