What is end grain on wood?
Moreover, does a cutting board have to be end grain?
The end grain cutting board is made from end pieces of wood. While these types of wood cutting board are a bit more expensive, some people deem it worthy, as it is better for the knives. End grain cutting boards have a “self-healing” factor, as the fibers close up after they have been cut by the knife.
Also question is, which is better end grain or edge grain cutting boards?
Edge grain cutting boards are known to be more durable, easier to maintain, and more affordable. However, this type of board can dull knives faster than end-grain types an more susceptible to nicks and cuts.
The face grain is what you'd normally see on the “outside” of the board. It's where you see most of the grain and beauty of a piece of wood. Woodworkers typically use the face grain to make table tops or panels that you might see on cupboard doors. Edge grain is the “side” of the board.