Face, Edge or End Grain?
When it comes to wood cutting boards, there are three options:
- Face - This is the large, flat surface when picturing a piece of wood. The variations in the grain are highly visible, and face grain boards can be one piece of wood, or multiple pieces with the edges glued together (picture a wood floor). These boards are typically thinner and lighter when compared to edge or end grain.
- Edge - This is the long, narrow side of a piece of wood. You can usually tell these cutting boards by the long strips of wood glued side by side and straight grain pattern. These are true workhorses in the kitchen and a popular choice for restaurants and commercial use. With proper care these boards will last a long time.
- End - This is the end piece of wood, with all the individual grains visible and facing upward. This is the premium option for wood cutting boards, and requires a great deal of expertise and time to make. These boards are more forgiving on your knife edge, since the blade will slice in between the individual grains. These boards are also less likely to show cut marks as the grains tend to come back together after being cut on (self-healing). The beauty, functionality, and uniqueness created from the end grains is unmatched when it comes to cutting boards.
All of our cutting boards are handmade in the USA, using sustainably sourced cherry, maple, or walnut hardwoods.
