LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Wood for Cutting Boards

3K views 12 replies 10 participants last post by  Muddler 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Fellow Dusty People,

I'm making some cutting boards and having fairly good luck with hard maple, walnut, purple heart and padauk. My next goal is to try some other contrasting woods in various patterns. Anyone have suggestions as to which species I should consider. I know to avoid the open grains and of course want to avoid something that might be toxic. Appreciate any input.
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Jarrah and Tassie Oak.

Also, you may be interested to know that some research indicates that wooden chopping/cutting boards are safer, hygienically speaking, than the popular white plastic boards. And that the safest finish is 'no finish at all'. I have the research somewhere and can provide it if you want it.
 
#3 ·
The old time butchers used parrafin on their chopping blocks. When I made my block I used 6" thick maple squares and then used parrafin and an electric iron to melt the wax into the pores of the maple. You just scrape the top every so often and put on aditional parrafin.
 
#7 ·
the Woodwhisperer did a great podcast on making a cutting board. I liked his idea of using the endgrains to protect the knife.
As for wood? I think he mentioned varieties as well but I'm not sure.
 
#8 ·
I have heard that walnut would not be good to use because of potential for food allergies. I do not know if that is true or not. I think the contrasting woods would be a great look for a cutting board.

I liked the wood whisperer's video on the cutting boards. I have wondered if it would be better to build the boards with end grain instead of long grain. Most cutting boards I have seen are long grain, and they seem to last for years. The end grain method would seem to involve more work.
 
#9 ·
I made end grain cutting boards from an article in a woodworking magazine. The article stated the best woods to use were maple, cherry and walnut. The finish suggested was plain old mineral oil.

To see what mine look like look under projects.
 
#11 ·
I made about 10 cutting boards last year for gifts… I usec maple, cherry and black walnut, they all turned out great. I made endgrain and long grain boards, used tightbond III, three coats of mineral oil on each.
 
#13 ·
funny, I was just watching Marc's Podcast vid on his end grain cutting board today and was thinking about the same thing. Purpleheart is a bit expensive for me, but I like the idea of a maple/cherry combo. Looks like I've got my family christmas hobbie gift idea now!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top