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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, oak,
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 . This is the lightest weight of all and has been my most
popular combination. The sassafras fills the shop with its wonderfull
smell when i make the boards, and a vigorous chopping session should
allow the cook to pick up a hint of its sweet and spicy fragrance!
See below for pictures of this board in other wood combinations.
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