A customer in Charlotte, North Carolina ordered a huge 24″ x 36″ end-grain cutting board. He needed it before July 4th. The choice of wood was mine.
This was the result:
It is constructed of Black Walnut, Black Cherry, Red Oak, and Curly Maple. It is 1-1/2″ thick and weighs 39 pounds finished. Yeah, it is a monster.
After being submerged for 4 days in mineral oil for a thru and thru oiling, the board was finished with Odie’s Oil, then a final coating of Odie’s Wax.
Our client decided that it now needs a special home. To that end, we will be constructing a special matching cart of walnut and cherry. The cart will be countertop height and have moveable shelves for cookbooks, etc., and will serve as both a center island or serving cart as it will have wheels. It can also be rolled from the kitchen to the deck for barbecues.
~ Peter
WOW! That cutting board is amazing. I’ve never seen an end grain cutting board before. The graining is beautiful. Actually all your work is stunning.
My wife would flip to have something like this. Christmas? She’s one of those “foodies”. Lol
Thanks very much Michael. We try our best. If you haven’t already, see this link: https://westphaliawoodworks.mystagingwebsite.com/end-grain-cutting-boards/
They are commercial quality and will last forever with only minimal maintenance.
Let me know. They take a while to make. Christmas is coming fast.
OMG, that’s a big cutting board. It is beautiful. I imagine your client was scared to put a knife to it. I’d be scared. Lol.
I hope you put up a post on the cart.
Great website by the way. The level of quality oozes off the pages.
Thanks Josh. That pretty much is the reaction from most people who purchase a cutting board. Lol. However, you can’t hurt them unless you try.
Yes, I plan on a follow-up post on the cart. Stay tuned.
So blessed to have some of your special work! Thanks for this blog & will spread the word.
Thanks for the visit and your sweet words.
The cutting board you made for Wendy and me isn’t quite that big, but it is just as beautiful ! One day we will get the nerve to cut on it, instead of using it as a centerpiece on our dining room table !
Beautiful work Bro, and great website. Many Kudos.
Glad to have you visit Terry. Many thanks for the kind words. As I told you often, you can’t wear it out. 🙂
Wow, this cutting board is awesome and a beautiful work of art. It should last many lifetimes.
Will it require touch-up oiling? I know that seems like a dumb question. Which oil do you recommend?
Thanks for the kind words Charles.
Occasionally our boards (oiled through and through) do need some touch-up as oils do get washed out by detergents from cleaning. The best way is to purchase some inexpensive mineral oil from any pharmacy, discount store, Walmart, etc. and put a little bit on the board overnight then wipe off the excess. It’s a simple procedure.
There’s no need to purchase the high dollar “cutting board oil” from the big box stores as they are basically mineral oil.
Also, you can make your own “board butter” using 2 parts beeswax to 1 part mineral oil. Slow heat it in a crockpot in water, let it all melt, stir, and you’re done. After it cools to a paste just rub it in and buff it off the next day. This also works well on wooden cooking spoons, salad bowls, and bread trays.
Beautiful work. Does the Mineral oil darken the wood? Also, I was wondering is there any species of wood that should not be used for cutting boards?
You mentioned, in one other reply, ““board butter” using 2 parts beeswax to 1 part mineral oil. Slow heat it in a crockpot in water, let it all melt, stir, and you’re done” Is the beeswax and Mineral oil added to water?
Again, beautiful work.
Thank you for any reply to my questions.
D
Hello Dave. Thanks for the kind words. The mineral oil does not darken the wood other than wetting the wood fibers so to speak. It is crystal clear.
I’d stay away from exotic woods from tropical areas or any reclaimed pallet wood. Some of that stuff is dangerous.
Sorry, I should have been clearer about the board butter. Mineral oil and beeswax will not mix with water. You need to heat it in a separate jar immersed in water. Direct heat will mess it up and likely to combust. I put a few inches of water in a crockpot then add the jar with the measured beeswax and mineral oil, set the heat level to LOW, don’t boil it. After a while, the wax will melt. I stir it with a chopstick and turn off the heat. Let the beeswax mineral oil jar cool to the touch and remove it from the water. It will congeal overnight to a whiteish gel. You can speed it up by placing it in the fridge. You only need a little bit, maybe only a teaspoon for a 12 x 20 board. Work it in with a folded paper towel and let the board sit overnight then buff off the excess. It works great. Using only mineral oil works great too but doesn’t provide the sheen.
By the way, a liquid ounce of beeswax weighs the same as a dry ounce of beeswax. I use a postal scale to measure the wax. Lastly, I use a wide-mouthed pint size Mason’s jar as it has ounce graduations on the sides for convenience. One pint jar will last years. No need to refrigerate. Apply the mix at room temperature.
Feel free to ask questions. Thanks for your visit.
Hi there,
My husband and I stopped by the processing center to pick up our venison and OMG, I saw the cutting boards and immediately put one on my Christmas list. The office had three on display and I loved them all. I think I will pick another one up for my sister’s birthday. Reclaimed wood has always been a thing for me even before it was “in”. When my sisters dreamed of a Drexel table, I was dreaming of an old farmhouse table. I can’t wait to finish our new home being built because now I know who is going to build my dining table. I am so excited.
Hi Anne,
Thanks for the kind words. I’ll be happy to make you whatever you desire.
I need to update the website. The first two cutting boards are gone. There are others not yet on the “for sale” page.