QUALITY Makes the Difference

What makes the QUALITY of A BLOCK WOOD Cutting Boards, Butcher and Chopping Blocks so superior?  Take a look!
 
  1. Production Shop is BOTH Humidity and Temperature Controlled
The Production Shop is heated and insulated and wrapped in a vapor barrier on the both the floor and ceiling.  Controlling both Humidity and Temperature results in less wood movement.  This translates to a more solid and lasting cutting board.   This also allows the purchased wood to “adjust” in the Production Shop for several days before cutting and shaping.
 
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  1. Use ONLY Kiln Dried Wood
For ALL Cutting Boards and Butcher and Chopping Blocks, ONLY kiln dried wood is utilized.  This wood dried to a 7 – 10% moisture range.  This removes most wood moisture resulting in a more stable wood during the manufacturing process.
 
  1. Lumber Storage – Indoors
ALL lumber at the Lumber Provider and the Production Shop are stored indoors under the cover of four (4) walls.
 
  1. Lumber Quality Ratings
Signature Series – ALL Lumber purchased is rated “Selects & Better” in 8/4 (2”) or 10/4 (2.5”) thicknesses.  In addition, I ask for a “hand-sort” to ensure that sapwood, knots and other defects are kept to a minimum.  The result is >90% clear lumber that translates to a stunningly beautiful cutting board.
 
Brick Pattern & Specialty Cutting Boards – This lumber is specifically requested as “sappy” rated lumber which highlights heart and sapwood.
 
Limited Edition – The lumber utilized for cutting boards include ONLY “Select & Better” domestic hardwoods and the highest quality lumber available for imported woods, normally  a FAS or better.
 
  1. Wood Assembly Pattern
The cutting boards blocks are normally assembled in a contrasting grain pattern to balance wood movement, thus providing increased strength while reducing the potential for splits and warpage.  In a simplified version, this opposing grain pattern visually looks like this:
 
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In addition, assembly and gluing using a brick wall pattern, provides additional support and strength to glue joints and across the entire cutting board.
 
  1. Use of Appropriate Glue Amounts
Skimping or applying thin amounts of glue only leads to weak bonds in cutting boards and splits or cracks exactly at the glue line. This often happens at the very edges of the glue joint.  Proper amounts of glue squeeze-out is desirable to ensure a full, complete and long-lasting glue joint.
 
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  1. FDA Approved Waterproof Food Safe Wood Glue
A BLOCK WOOD uses Titebond 3, a FDA approved wood glue for all cutting boards.  It is approved for direct food contact and is also waterproof to ensure each cutting board is durable and lasting.  Per the Manufacturer of Titebond 3 is recommended for a full 24 hours.
 
  1. Proper Clamping Pressure is Used for Each Wood Type
Proper clamping pressure is required to ensure a proper, secure and permanent glue joint.  Some hard and dense woods, such as maple (or harder for exotic woods) requires 250 pounds per square inch clamping pressure.  Only pipe clamps and industrial wood clamping machines, using air tools to tighten the clamps come close to meeting or exceeding all the domestic hardwoods and exotic clamping pressures.  A BLOCK WOOD uses pipe clamps for all cutting board glue ups.
 
  1. Clamping / Glue Set-Up Length of Time
Each cutting board is clamped under pressure for a full 24 hours to ensure a tight and fully cured glue joint. 
 
  1. Finish Sanding to Raise the Grain
The cutting board grain is raised twice during the sanding process to ensure a completely smooth cutting surface is maintained even after initial contact with liquids.
 
  1. Glue Joint Wood Block Alignment
Whether a basic Brick Wall pattern or a more complex design, without perfect glue joint alignment, the entire board loses its visual appeal  Please review A BLOCK WOOD’s product pictures.  They directly speak to their quality alignment
 
  1. Every Cutting Board Surface is Sanded to 320 Grit
Every Cutting Board is sanded to a 320 grit finish to ensure a glass like finish to each board surface.
 
  1. Soaking Mineral Oil Baths
All cutting boards are completely submerged overnight (at least 8 – 10 hours) in a food grade mineral oil tank. Upon completion of the submersion, they are dried on a flat surface.  If the mineral oil dries or is absorbed too quickly, they are submerged for another 8 – 10 hours to ensure each board is holding the maximum amount of mineral oil as possible. 
 
  1. Sealing Finished Cutting Board Protection
Each cutting board is sealed with a heated 50/50 beeswax and mineral oil mixture to seal in the mineral oil moisture.  This application also helps reduce or eliminate any stains on your cutting board.
 
  1. Use of Rubber Feet
High and consistent moisture can destroy a cutting board.  Rubber feet slightly raise a cutting board off the table/counter surface to prevent sitting in moisture and allow needed air flow to help reduce moisture
 
  1. Board Thickness
Board Thickness = Stability.  The thicker the cutting board, the less likely warpage is to occur.  A BLOCK WOOD crafts all their cutting boards at 2”, 2.5” and 3” in thickness.  They are built to last.
 
  1. Edge/Long Grain Vs. End Grain Construction
End Grain = What you are seeing when looking at tree growth rings (end of a piece of wood)
Edge/Long Grain = Is the side of the tree (side of a piece of wood)
 
End Grain construction is much easier on knives.  Knife marks on end grain cutting boards nearly completely heal when re-oiled with mineral oil.  Accordingly, they last much longer than Edge and Long grain boards.
 
Edge/Long Grain construction are much less expensive and faster to produce.  They are normally far less thick in size and are more prone to warpage.
 
  1. Robust and Durable Packaging
Having a CUSTOMER wait for their new cutting board, only to receive it damaged and unusable, is unacceptable.  A BLOCK WOOD uses a double packaging (a-box-in-a-box) design.  In addition, bubble wrap and thick foam corners are used to suspend the internal box with the cutting board inside.  This dual packaging allows the shipping of heavy and large cutting boards to be executed with damage to the external packaging  with minimal to no damage to the internal packaging.
 
  1. Shrink Wrap Cutting Board Coverage
Every Cutting Board, Butcher and Chopping Block arrives in a Food Grade Shrink Wrap to minimize any unwanted contact of debris with the Beeswax and Mineral Oil cutting surface.  This allows for the cutting board to be immediately used upon delivery.
 
  1. Environmental Friendly / Recycling
A BLOCK WOOD re-uses packaging material at every opportunity.  Most of the repurposed packaging includes: bubble wrap, brown and white paper cushioning, inflated air pillows, additional corrugated sheets and sometimes small corrugated boxes.
 
  1. Wood Sawdust and Wood Cut-off Waste Disposal
(Sawdust)
Approximately 2/3 of the sawdust waste is given to local farmers for animal bedding.  The remaining sawdust is burned for heating during colder months.
 
(Wood Cut-Offs)
Only the absolute smallest cut-offs (less than 2” in length) are disposed of with the above sawdust.  The remaining cut-offs are used in other smaller projects.  Nothing is wasted.  I have been accused of hoarding wood cut-offs several times. LOL