Cutting Board Design

Cutting Board Design and Construction

Cutting boards are popular woodworking projects that combine function with creativity. They make excellent gifts, sell well at craft shows, and teach important skills including glue-ups, planing, and food-safe finishing. Plus, you’ll make something you use every day.

Cutting Board Types

Edge Grain:

• Most common construction method
• Wood strips glued with edge facing up
• Good balance of durability and ease of construction
• Shows beautiful striped patterns

End Grain:

• Premium option—gentler on knives
• Wood blocks glued with end grain facing up
• More complex construction (double glue-up)
• Self-healing as fibers separate and close

Face Grain:

• Simplest—a solid board
• Most likely to warp or check
• Not recommended for heavy use

Wood Selection

Choose closed-grain hardwoods:

• Best choices: Maple (hard), walnut, cherry, white oak
• Avoid: Red oak (too porous), softwoods (too soft), exotics with toxicity concerns
• Contrasting woods: Combine dark and light for visual interest
• Janka hardness: Aim for 1000+ for durability

Edge Grain Board Construction

1. Mill your lumber: Joint one face, plane to consistent thickness, joint one edge.
2. Rip strips: Cut 1.5″ to 2″ wide strips on the table saw.
3. Arrange for appearance: Alternate grain direction to minimize warping. Plan color patterns.
4. Glue up: Apply thin, even glue coverage. Clamp with even pressure. Use cauls to keep flat.
5. Remove squeeze-out: Scrape or plane off dried glue.
6. Flatten: Plane or drum sand to remove any glue-up inconsistencies.
7. Cut to final dimensions: Square up edges on table saw or with a track saw.
8. Shape edges: Roundover, chamfer, or leave square.
9. Sand progressively: Through 220 grit minimum.
10. Apply food-safe finish: Mineral oil, butcher block oil, or board butter.

Design Ideas

• Striped patterns: Alternating dark and light woods
• Chevron or herringbone: Angled strips create dynamic patterns
• Brick pattern: Offset strips like masonry
• Juice groove: Routed channel around perimeter catches liquids
• Handles: Routed finger holds or attached handles

Maintenance Advice for Users

• Never soak in water or put in dishwasher
• Re-oil monthly with regular use
• Sand out deep cuts and re-oil
• Store flat to prevent warping