Handcrafted Wood Cutting Boards

Why buy a handcrafted wood cutting board?

Handcrafted wood cutting boards make a perfect gift for those who love to cook or BBQ.  My husband loves to BBQ. He loves the personalized handcrafted cutting board I bought him for our anniversary.  He says cutting his brisket, ribeye, or ribs on his wood-cutting board is enjoyable. But the best part is that it makes him think of me when he is doing it.

Not only is a hand-crafted wooden cutting board beautiful. It’s a very necessary accessory in the kitchen.  It’s the perfect device for all your cutting and chopping needs. 

Even if you don’t cook it makes a statement in any kitchen. Or makes a great gift as well. What shows more thought in a gift than selecting something so useful but often overlooked?

What material makes the best cutting boards?

The best material for cutting boards is still wood.  You want two main things when looking at cutting board material. First, you want something that is easy to clean. Second, you want a wood surface that won’t damage or dull your knives.

Wood has a natural grain and porous surface. By guessing one wouldn’t think that wood is the best material for a cutting board. But if you think about it enough it makes perfect sense.

Wood is dense but has a slight give or yield. Thus it can withstand daily use but also not damage your knife blades. Not only is wood strong, but some types can practically heal themselves. This is possible because some types of wood can open and close the grain and fibers.

My favorite part of a wooden cutting board is its beauty. It’s amazing how one piece can make a kitchen stand out. So what’s better than having durability, functionality, and beauty?

What type of wood should I look for?

Idea types of wood

• Closed grain hardwood.
• An easy rule of thumb to follow is if it comes from a tree that produces edible nuts, fruits, or syrup.
• Most recommended woods include cherry, walnut, and maple.
• Closed-grain hardwoods aren’t too hard on your knife edge.

Avoid these types of wood

• Open-grained woods.
• Woods such as oak and ash they have many pores that can harbor bits and pieces of food. This provides a good habitat for bacteria to flourish. Which can cause serious illness.
• Woods that are too hard.
• Hardwoods are usually highly resistant to water and decay. But they can dull your expensive kitchen knives.
• Most Tropical varieties of trees.
• Tropical trees often contain toxins. These toxins are to keep insects and microbial life from eating their way into the tree’s flesh. You don’t want these toxins to leach into your food.

What wood-cutting boards would you recommend?

People who are close to me know I love being in the kitchen.  I love cooking and food in general.  So I get asked all the time for recommendations for certain kitchen items. 

Please keep in mind I am no expert. But I rely on my research and vast past experiences in cooking to give you the recommendations that I do.  I know everyone has different tastes so not everyone will agree with me.

1. Larch Wood Canada End Grain Large Cutting Board

This premium wood cutting board is large in size. It measures 21-5/8″ x 13″ x 1-3/4″ thick and weighs 11.5 lbs. This board offers plenty of working surfaces for the serious or aspiring chef. 
This large cutting board will last a lifetime if cared for.  It even has self-healing properties if you follow the care and maintenance instructions.

Customers including world-renowned chefs, praise the density of the “end-grain” design. This is because it absorbs the impact of blades and even helps keep them sharp.  These boards have intricate gradients and patterns that only enhance it’s natural beauty. See below for even more info on this high-end wood-cutting board.

Why Larch Wood?

Larch wood is famous for a few reasons. Among them are its rot resistance, strength, and ability to neutralize bacteria. Is commonly used in boat building, decking material, and fence posts. So that is a testament to it’s durability.

With all these characteristics Larch wood is able to produce an ideal cutting surface. Not only is it durable but with a distinct wood grain pattern it will draw plenty of compliments.

Little about the maker of these fine cutting boards

Larch Wood Canada was founded in 2003.  They care about their work. They care about the artistry and craftsmanship. Also strive to provide functionality and sustainability at an equal level.  All their wood is locally sourced and milled in their own sawmill.  They have a 30-step process that requires a high-quality control standard.

Self-Healing Surface

This cutting board has a durable end grain of butcher block construction.  Has vertically aligned wood fibers. This allows wood fibers to separate when cutting with a knife and close up after the cutting. 
Also, because the end grain is flexible it will self-cleanse. It cleans itself by squeezing out any excess color, bacteria, or food after cutting.

These heirloom quality wooden cutting boards are easy on knives. They also resist nicks and gouges. Even world-renowned chefs use these boards.

Maintenance

A new wooden cutting board needs seasoning to allow it to adapt to its environment.  To season apply Larch Wood Board Beeswax and Mineral Oil conditioner to the board. Do this every week for the first month.  Once the board is seasoned you can change it to a monthly treatment so wood fibers don’t dry out.

For everyday cleaning use a moist cloth to remove any debris.  Any sticky residue can be cleaned using a small amount of mild detergent. Put this on the scrubbing side of the sponge and use warm water. The most thorough way to clean these cutting boards is to apply salt to the board. Then rub the board with a sponge dampened in lemon juice.

2. Black Walnut Wood Cutting Board by Artisan Born

This is a large handcrafted Artisan Born black walnut cutting board. It measures 20″ x 15″ x 1″, 7.5 lbs in size and weight.
It’s multi-functional and will enhance your kitchen.  When properly maintained these black walnut cutting boards will last a long time.  They have natural self-healing properties designed to prevent warps, cracks, and splinters. 

When purchasing the cutting boards arrive cured already. They are from premium black walnut from the Ozarks. This wood is gentle on chef knives, cutlery, and utensils.

Little about the maker of these fine cutting boards

Artisan Born was founded by a group of Artisans in the Ozarks who grew harvesting walnuts.  With a deep desire to create something decorative and functional. These black walnut cutting boards were the result.  These boards boast a color variation and grain only found in the Ozarks.

Self-Healing Surface

These boards are from the end grain of walnut wood. End grain is the best option if you want to prevent cuts and dents in your board. When there are cuts and dents the wood will naturally grow back and close the wood. This happens because the walnut’s grain will separate and close back on its own.

Maintenance

These walnut cutting boards come seasoned already. So it’s recommended to oil your walnut board at least once a month to keep the wood in top condition.

Before you oil wash your board let it dry completely. Then use a food-grade mineral oil to saturate the entire board. Don’t wash off the oil. Let the board settle in a well-ventilated area for a few hours.

Here are some tips on cleaning your board:

• Don’t put it in the dishwasher.
• Don’t soak in water.
• Don’t use bleach as it can stain the dark wood.
• Wash with warm water and soap.
• Can use a vinegar and water solution for added sanitation.
• After washing pat dry and let the board air dry.

3. John Boos Platinum Commercial Series Maple Wood Edge Grain Reversible Cutting Board