Types of woods that are available for your custom cutting board
The various woods shown here are all very good choices for any board. The most common type is: Hard (Rock) Maple. If you like your cutting board to be made from a wood that is not shown here, send me an E-mail and I will try to find that particular species!
Hard (Rock) Maple
By far the most popular and one of the most durable woods for cutting boards. It is a very tight-grained wood--Meaning that the wood itself resists knife marks and general wear and tear. Due to maple's density, any board made from it will be very heavy, but stable. Maple resists warping and staining. Most cutting boards offered will be a combination a maple and some other hardwood species.
Black Walnut
This is one of the most attractive domestic hardwoods available! It's vintage brown colour has always been synonymous with quality. Walnut is also a very strong but not as strong or durable as maple. Walnut ages well and gets darker with age.
African Mahogany
It's unmistakable red colour makes it a fine choice for beautiful cutting boards. African Mahogany is naturally resistant to water / decay. That is why it is used primarily in boat building and guitar making. Combine this wood with Walnut or Maple and you have a gorgeous board ready for any occasion.
Purpleheart
A not really well known hardwood; but every bit as beautiful as the North American domestics. This wood is harder and more durable than Hard Maple! It's purple colour actually enhances with age. Density of this hardwood makes it a perfect choice for heavy-duty chopping boards. Or just regular kitchen use.
Cherry
This is one of the most highly prized wood species in a all of furniture making! It's colour and richness enhance anything it is apart of. It's trademark colour is hard to duplicate, while it is durable enough to stand the test of time. Cherry is generally an accent wood; well contrasted by lighter hardwoods such as Maple or Ash.
Ash
Ash is used primarily in the making of wooden baseball bats. The wood itself can take a lot of abuse. Much like how Hickory is used in wooden hammer handles, Ash resists similar shocks. Due to its light colour, makes a great cutting surface.
Wood Hardness
The list below contains information about wood hardness. The higher up the list you go, the softer the wood! The lower you go, the harder the wood.
Yellowheart
This Central American exotic hardwood is the perfect accent wood for any cutting board. Very hard, straight grained, and vibrant. As most woods are either brownish to reddish in colour, Yellowheart maintains a distinct yellow colour that enhances any project!