About Us & Cutting Board Frequently Asked Questions

I grew up playing in the sawdust of my father's workshop on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. My father always had a passion for creating things, and this naturally passed on to me as I grew, eventually creating things myself.  As I got older I realized this outlet of creation benefitted me as much as it did those I was creating things for. Time in the workshop is my own, and allows me to detach and create objects that are valued and of quality. Thank you for taking the time to view the things I've made, your support helps me continue my craft.

 

A few frequently asked questions, mostly related to the cutting boards we create:

What's the difference between the types of cutting boards? End grain, edge grain, etc?

The simplest way to explain the difference is to think of a tree. If you've ever noticed someone chopping wood, they will almost always put their pieces on top of a tree stump. The tree stump shows the 'End Grain' of the wood. When you chop into the end grain, after you remove your axe the wood fibres join back together again their own.

After a bit of time, you won't be able to tell where that axe had landed. You can chop wood on that same stump for years and it will still be there and won't degrade as you chop on it.  This is essentially how an 'end grain' cutting board functions. The wood fibres run up and down, allowing the knife to microscopically slide between the fibres when it lands. It keeps the knife sharp and the board will naturally heal.

These boards are the best for heavy use and chopping, but you need to be careful to not set the board face down in water, because these pores will soak up water like a straw, and that might cause your board to twist or crack. Re-oiling the board would usually fix this, and we usually do this every month or so at home. We also add rubber feet to our end grain boards to lessen the risk of being set down in a small puddle.

Boards that are not end grain are side grain or edge grain, this just means the fibres run perpendicular to the way an end grain does. They are still great boards, and are often less expensive as they require much less cutting, waste wood and are much easier to sand and finish.

What type of oil should I use on my board? How do I use it?

We recommend 100% Mineral Oil, heavy or light work fine. We suggest one that is pure without any additives and the best place to purchase is from a pharmacy or grocery store. Board butters or board oils are just a mix of mineral oil with some beeswax added in. These are something we add after a good mineral oil soak to give the board a temporary food safe water resistance and a nice looking shine.

Put a nice coat of mineral oil on the top of your board and let it sit a few hours. If in a few hours there isn't any mineral oil left, give it some more. If there's excess there, wipe it away. This is all it takes to keep your board looking like new.