Cutting Boards - As Seen on LumberJocks

I view my abilities in woodworking more as engineering rather than architecture. I know when I see something I like and I am pretty good at figuring out how to achieve the observed result with my skills and the tools I have available. However, when it comes to creativity and designing, I’ve got nothing. That is where LumberJocks comes in; true artisans and designers present their marvels as a sharing and learning opportunity for the rest of us. Fully grabbing-hold of this spirit, over the past few months I have been replicating many of the outstanding designs presented on LumberJocks.

Through this posting I would like the share my renditions of several cutting board projects that have been featured on LumberJocks. Out of sheer respect, I refer to these projects using either the project name given by the original poster or by the posters ID itself; this often leads to conversations with neighbours and family members explaining ‘Spalm’, ‘Sinister’, ‘Dewoodwork’ and others.

I don’t think there is anything new in this posting that hasn’t already been seen on LumberJocks. I am very happy to share my construction information but recommend seeking out the original posters project or blog details for the real story. Again, I’m posting these on the premise that forgery is the highest form of flattery and I submit my renditions to honour the original designers and encourage others to try these projects, which, I believe is the spirit of LumberJocks.

The first photo is my earlier of two attempts at the Sinister board (http://lumberjocks.com/projects/30543 . This was a lot of fun to make. In my second effort (no photos unfortunately) I paid more attention to stock selection and grain pattern and the result was far superior. One of the best parts of showing a Sinster board is being able to tell the story of the patterns origins – this always gets a smile.

The second photo is an Alice board (http://lumberjocks.com/poroskywood/blog/11021) by Poroskywood. I refer to the ‘smooth’ version simply as Alice and the regular version as a Drunken Alice. I’ve made several of each of these and they’re real favourites with everyone who sees them. Recently I was told that it’s their ‘organic look’ that gives them their appeal.

Next is a Whisperer board. The one pictured is maple and purple heart but I have also made some with maple and walnut, and my favourite; maple, walnut and the smallest bar cherry. These are fun to make and quick.

The next is Steps by Spalm (http://lumberjocks.com/SPalm/blog/17488 ). I had a bugger of a time gluing up the triangular columns and at the time I swore never again. Fortunately, time heals all wounds and I may foolishly try this one again sometime soon. Having now seen Jeepturners clamping jigs
(http://lumberjocks.com/jeepturner/blog/19943 ) I’m hoping for a more peaceful and less expletive glue-up.

The fifth is the Wood Magazine board. I’ve made several of these in different configurations but the one pictured is my favourite arrangement; I call it Lights because the maple bars seem illuminated. These are pretty much the same construction technique as the Whisperer board and its fun to play around with different layouts on CBDesigner (http://lumberjocks.com/projects/11372 ).

And the final cutting board pictured here is Optical Illusion (http://lumberjocks.com/projects/34378 ) by BritBoxmaker. My version is maple, walnut and cherry and was a pretty straight forward build.

I hope you enjoy seeing this display of cutting boards as seen on LumberJocks. I really appreciate the sharing by the original posters and I make this posting not to show my talent, but honour theirs. Patron, Dustbunny, Knotcurser, Dchip, Degoose, McLeanVA, Tony and Dewoodwork, my thanks to you all too and shortly I’ll post again showing my renditions of your excellent designs.