I recently got a commission for 12 cutting boards, and I decided to use some lumber that I already had. I used teak and basswood. While basswood feels like a soft wood to the touch, technically it is a hard wood. More importantly, the grain in basswood is VERY tight, which is why a lot of people use it to carve with. The tightness in this grain is great for cutting boards, because it keeps out juices, which is what causes a lot of cutting boards to source and not last long.
When you go to make your own cutting boards, you need to keep the wood type in mind, as well as the finish type. The finish has to COMPLETELY FOOD SAFE. I use 100% pure tung oil, but there are lots of options like mineral oil and beeswax. Be sure to do your research on wood and finishes before you get started.
WHAT YOU NEED BLOCK
Here’s what you’ll need:
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Rip down lumber into strips.
Use LOTS of glue to glue them up.
Use at least 3 (more if you have them) clamps.
Once it dries, scrape off glue squeeze out.
Use a planer to smooth out booth sides.
Cross cut into strips.
Rotate every other pieces, glue up again.
Square off all sides.
I made a simple jig to drill holes in the same position each time.
Use a forstner bit to make the hole.
Round over every edge with a router and round over bit.
Sand every surface until smooth, going up to 220 grit sand paper.
For finish, I use 100% pure tung oil.
Wipe on, and let soak in for 24 hours before reapplying.
All done!
