How do you make an end cutting cutting board?

Category: hobbies and interests woodworking
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How to Make an End Grain Cutting Board
  1. Select your cutting board wood.
  2. Glue the end grain blank together.
  3. Cut the strips for the final cutting board design.
  4. Final glue up of the end grain cutting board.
  5. Finish sand and oil the cutting board.



Also question is, how do you make an end grain cutting board?

  1. Step 1: Get Your Wood. Pick a nice hardwood, preferably one with interesting end grain.
  2. Step 2: Plan Your Cuts. Grab a pad of paper and a pencil(a calculator can be helpful also).
  3. Step 3: Cut the Wood Into Strips.
  4. Step 4: Clamp.
  5. Step 5: Glue the Strips.
  6. Step 6: Plane It.
  7. Step 7: Cut Into Strips.
  8. Step 8: Clamp Again.

One may also ask, how do you seal a cutting board? To keep your cutting board in prime condition, seal it once a month with oil. Some oils, such as linseed and tung oil, harden the wood and seal it from the inside; other oils simply penetrate the surface of the wood, including walnut and mineral oil. Beeswax is also a viable alternative.

Likewise, how thick should an end grain cutting board be?

Normally I build for a 2” thickness for the end grain boards but most end up about 1/16” thicker. More thickness equals more weight and makes the board sturdier.

Is Cherry good for cutting board?

A wood that is too hard will cause your cutting edge to dull quickly. As a reference point, Hard Maple has a hardness of 1450, which makes it an ideal cutting board for the top end. Black Walnut falls in the middle at 1010 and Cherry on the lower range at 995.

39 Related Question Answers Found

What is the best size cutting board?

Here's a good rule of thumb: When the knife is laid diagonally across the cutting board, there should be at least an inch of cutting board on either end of the knife. You can use a smaller board with your paring knife, a bigger one with a santoku, and size way up for your eight- or 10-inch chef's knife.

What is an end grain cutting board?

The end grain boards are made by cutting the pieces of lumber into blocks and gluing the blocks together with the end grain up, forming the top surface of the cutting board. During cutting and chopping, the end grain wood fibers absorb the impact of the knife blade so the block is resistant to nicks and gouges.

What is the best end grain cutting board?

What are the best end grain cutting boards?
  • Ironwood Gourmet 28217 Acacia Board: multi-functional, long lasting and amazing good looks.
  • Catskill Craftsmen Super Slab: extra large hardwood slab with an satin-smooth finish.
  • Heim Concept Premium Bamboo Butcher Block: stain and warp resistant and incredibly durable.

What woods are best for cutting boards?

The Best Woods for a Cutting Board
  • Maple. Both soft and hard maple make for excellent cutting surfaces.
  • Beech. Measuring 1,300 lbf on the hardness scale, this food-safe, closed-grained hardwood is non-damaging to knives and offers stellar scratch and impact resistance outdone only by hard maple.
  • Teak.
  • Walnut.

What is the average size of a cutting board?


Cutting Board Standard Sizes
Board Type Board Size (Inches)
Small 8×10 in
Medium 10×14 in
Large 18×24 in
Extra Large 20×30 in

Can you stain a cutting board?

Stain a wooden cutting board with a salad-bowl finish. Wooden cutting boards should be made of maple or another closed grain wood to avoid food contamination. The correct application of a salad bowl finish will stain the wood and provide a durable surface that is easy to clean.

Is bloodwood safe for cutting boards?

Cutting board should be made of tight grained wood. The tighter the grain and more dense the better. Also stay away from oily wood. If that's the case then Bloodwood is fine, talk about dense, but man is it beautiful.

Can you use mahogany for a cutting board?

Maple is indeed harder and is the traditional choice for cutting boards. Mahogany is also a good choice. The species I use is not quite as hard and a little more porous but still a good choice.

Why are butcher blocks so thick?

Most of the butcher blocks you see here on CuttingBoard.com are at least one and a half inches thick and are assembled using end grain. Thickness is important because it adds the most important factor: weight. With bigger, heavier butcher blocks or cutting boards, it's not so much an issue.

How do you make a cutting board Food Safe?


Rub entire cutting board with several coats of a food-safe finish like mineral oil, walnut oil or beeswax, allowing oil to fully absorb into the wood. Allow cutting board to dry overnight before use. Tip: Most food-safe finishes need to be reapplied regularly.

Does oak make a good cutting board?

Having said all this, in general, hardwoods have a higher density so are harder and more durable than softwoods. For you tree enthusiasts, you may recognize that oak is a hardwood, but is not often used in cutting boards. The reason is that oak, while hard, has very large pores.

Can you use alder for a cutting board?

I would avoid all soft woods too - pine, alder, poplar, etc. and stick to tight grained hardwoods. I've used maple, cherry , walnut, purpleheart and yellowheart with good results.

Can hickory be used for cutting boards?

Hickory Cutting Boards
Hickory wood is stiff and wears like iron. It is used for anything that's needs to withstand heavy physical contact. Drum sticks and walking sticks are made of hickory. So are tool handles, and ladder rungs.

Do end grain cutting boards warp?

For end grains, I suggest putting feet on your boards. Otherwise, the recipients will likely have similar warping and even the board cracking if they're not careful at the sink. Feet will raise the board up above any standing water and allows for even trying on all sides.

Can you use polyurethane on a cutting board?


According to FDA regulations, the typical clear wood finishes that dry to a hard film, including polyurethane, are considered food safe. Polyurethane is a fine choice to use on a counter, as long as you don't use the counter as a cutting board. If you do cut directly on the polyurethane surface it will be damaged.

What is the best glue for cutting boards?

Use Titebond II or Titebond III Glue, which are both non-toxic and water resistant. Have a wet cloth ready. The glue will not stick to the aluminum clamps: no worries.

How do you seal and stain a cutting board?

How to Stain a Cutting Board
  1. Clean and thoroughly dry a used cutting board before attempting to refinish it.
  2. Place a new, unfinished board or a used board on your work surface.
  3. Use fine sandpaper to smooth the top, bottom and edges of your board.
  4. Pour food-grade mineral oil onto a clean, dry rag.