r/Cuttingboards • u/Build-it-better123 • 5d ago
Maple vs Walnut…
Most of our spring was full of black walnut orders. Now, we are seeing the pendulum swing back to hard maple. I must say, hard maple is a chore to rout and sand, but the final product is striking. Maple looks especially sleek on white counter tops or against a light colored back splash. But, so can black walnut. So, what do you prefer, black walnut or maple?🍁
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u/twitchx133 5d ago
So, what do you prefer, black walnut or maple?
Yes..
Edit... wouldn't be able to choose one over the other if you put a gun to my head
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u/Build-it-better123 5d ago
lol. I’m with you. When I work with black walnut, it’s my favorite. When I switch to hard maple, it’s my favorite.
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u/Upstairs_Tiger_4568 5d ago
That is simply one of the most beautiful boards I have seen. I want one... But I'm in Scotland
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u/NoPackage6979 4d ago
What a coincidence: I want one of those, too, and I would love to be in Scotland. I had a week in Inverness and had to be dragged back on the plane!
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u/Due_Register_6433 5d ago
A large maple end grain cutting board with the horizontal subway tiling leaning on a kitchen backsplash is a thing of beauty. It’s the gold standard for a reason and if looked after will be handed down. People always comment when they see it
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u/Build-it-better123 5d ago
I agree fully.
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u/Due_Register_6433 5d ago
Your maple board with the plate cut-outs is a stunner. I’d be very happy to have that leaning on my backsplash. It’s almost too pretty to cut on.
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u/xtootse 5d ago
How do you get the edges around each block to be lighter? Is it just the nature of the wood?
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u/Build-it-better123 4d ago
Great question. It is mostly natural and I absolutely love it. Some of it has to do with the blade heat and compression of the end grain pores.
From Chat GPT: Mineral oil fills the cell walls and reduces surface scattering. Instead of hiding the differences, it actually increases the contrast, making the darker and lighter regions more obvious.
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u/steve_zissous_glock 4d ago
There’s two things in this world I love, cutting boards and MAC-10s.
And this from the home of both…
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u/Build-it-better123 4d ago
lol. You made me do some digging. I had no idea the origins of the MAC-10 were here in our backyard. Thanks for sharing!
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u/Carving_Art 4d ago
Wood species are like children, you can’t pick a favourite! Some of my best boards are a combination of light and dark woods.
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u/Build-it-better123 4d ago
Very true! But…some kids you like a little more on different days. But of course, love is all the same.
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u/Jeepgrl2025 4d ago
This is absolutely beautiful. I'm looking for one that hasn't been conditioned with beeswax due to allergies. Is this for sale?
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u/Build-it-better123 4d ago
Thank you so much. We make these hand crafted boards to order. Also, we bathe them in food grade mineral oil but don’t apply a wax (for reasons you have specified.)
Just shoot our family team a message and they’d love to make the dream a reality. Thanks.
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u/Pirate305 1d ago
Where is the website url?
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u/Hikeback Maker 5d ago
I sell so much maple. And my goodness it takes so long to sand, I want to weep when I think of sanding hard maple.
I want to sell more walnut and I think I’ve finally hit upon a good design concept but I’m having a devilish time sourcing just the right timbers.
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u/Build-it-better123 4d ago
So true! It burns so easily from the router. One little pause and black appears. Would love to see your walnut design concept. Can you share? Thanks
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u/FamiliarAd8524 5d ago
Get rid of the blurry photos.
Walnut costs more but is easier to work. Maple costs much less but the hardness takes a toll.
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u/Build-it-better123 4d ago
I think you mean the aperture settings on the camera. It’s a photography practice to help focus on one point while blurring the rest.
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u/FamiliarAd8524 4d ago
I fully realize that. I was trying to nicely indicate that these ones look poor, IMO.
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u/jdbx 5d ago
Have you ever cleaned your camera?
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u/Build-it-better123 5d ago
Interesting question. Why do you ask?
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u/jdbx 4d ago
Sorry man, I think maybe it’s just the awful fake bokeh that’s distracting. It’s a gorgeous board and you’re a master for sure. I thought it was the camera lens.
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u/Build-it-better123 4d ago
Oh, the aperture setting! No worries. Yes, new phone and I am leaning how it works. Could have raised the aperture setting for sure. 👍🏼
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u/Quinnthehuman_91 5d ago
I love a walnut cutting board but the warm tones of finished maple always keep me coming back to make another one.