Cutting boards are a new avenue for us. It is a path that was inspired by a close friend after a trip she took to Italy. The first prototype is still a work in progress, but it did force us to take a closer look at the cutting board industry.

As with anything else, there are many different opinions, but the one that most everyone agrees on, is that cutting boards made from end grain wood are best. (End grain boards are made by cutting the piece of lumber into blocks, and gluing the blocks together with the end grain up, forming the top surface of the cutting board.)

End grain cutting boards are more durable. They have a harder surface which make them more tolerant to the repetitive cutting motion and are better for retaining a sharp blade.

When the grain of the wood runs vertically (up and down) and the knife strikes the surface during cutting, the grain of the wood actually separates and then closes when the knife is removed. This is a self-healing aspect of the end-grain surface. You are in essence cutting between the fibers.

Please check back for Part 2 where we discuss the best and most durable types of wood.