| | I made these boards
in response to the many requests I've received for larger chopping blocks, finally
caving in to a request from the Food Network's low-carb cooking television program.
Large end grain cutting boards can, if not made with extreme care, crack from
normal seasonal movement, especially when species are mixed, and when the board
is not extremely thick. Making large boards extremely thick wastes large amounts
of precious hardwood, and also results in a board too heavy to be easily moved
by most people. The form of this board, with an 1 1/4" thick middle section
spanning 2 1/2" thick "legs", results in a stable board that feels
secure in heavy chopping, yet is still light enough to carry from prep area to
table. I avoid using maple in these boards as it has dimensional change properties
which tend to leave large endgrain boards vulnerable to cracking, opting instead
for combinations of the more stable domestic hardwoods: ash, cherry, sassafras,
and walnut. By using many small pieces, the board is more stable, and I'm better
able to ensure proper dryness of the wood at assembly time. I make these in small
batches, and so it's possible I'll have to custom make your board, but I usually
have a few in stock for immediate shipment. Above is the chopping block with sassafras
interior bordered in walnut . See below for pictures of this board in other wood
combinations. | |