Cutting Boards and How to Invest in One
We have all purchased a cutting board only to have it fail well before we expected.
Splitting and cracks. Softening of the surface. Rough splintering. All maladies that originate - thankfully - from predictable causes.
Our goal is to help you be a more educated investor: we create products that are meant to last, and that requires collaboration, both at the front end buying decision and also for the care of your board.
What should I consider: Cutting Board Production Categories
There are three main categories for cutting boards:
Face Grain Cutting Boards
Edge Grain Cutting Boards
End Grain Cutting Boards
Each one has a mix of pros and cons and it all traces back to the fibrous structure of wood.
White lines represent the direction fibers are running
Think of a face grain cutting board as splitting a tree from top to bottom and exposing the middle of the tree. What would we see? We would see half of each growth ring sitting next to the another growth ring. We are most accustomed to seeing wood in this form: furniture, plywood veneers and other construction material demonstrates the striating pattern of “grain” that we are familiar with. But this view is presents the smallest number of fibers as well. While pretty and attractive, the layer of fibers is thin and sharp objects can cut into the layer revealing additional layers below. The only way to restore the “new” look is to sand away the original layer that was showing and reveal a clean underlying layer.
Edge and end grain cutting boards both seek to improve durability by looking at the bundled ends or sides of the fibers in greater density. End grains have the greatest exposed fiber density and hide nicks and cuts the best. They are also more resource intensive to create.
Edge grain cutting boards are a happy-medium, providing enhanced durability and some additional aesthetic grain structure.
We produce cutting boards across all categories, depending on usage, durability requirements and budget.
Which Cutting Board is best for me?
Ask yourself these questions:
How often will the cutting board be used?
What type of work will be performed on the board?
Where will the cutting board be stored?
The more frequent it is used and the more fine work with sharp tools will be used, the more you want to invest in the durability and quality of an edge and end grain board. If you plan on displaying your cutting board, or using it less frequently or with lighter usage, a face cutting board should be considered.
What’s the deal with board thickness?
Treat wood like a living object in your home. It will continue to respond to climate changes and could lash out if neglected!
The thicker the board, the more support fibers supply to each other, maintaining durability and protecting against the proliferation of cracks that could cause the board to cleave from itself.
This is not to say there is no splitting or cracking. A sufficient amount of neglect will allow splits and cupping of the board: however, the thicker the board, the less likely the board will become unrecoverable.
Our boards have a minimum thickness of 1.5” with our limited edition boards reaching 3”.
We want your investment to be protected and the thicker the board the more allowance for care mistakes (we all make them!).