What to know about butcher's block generally comes down to understanding that it is used in many kitchens these days as a tabletop or countertop surface and also more traditionally has a cutting board or chopping board. Most quality blocks are created from extremely hard sugar maple, which is a wood prized for its durability and attractiveness. Butchers blocks first made their appearance in meat processing plants and butchers shops.
Today, it seems that it is generally everywhere one would care to look in a home's kitchen. There are usually two different styles of board known as edge grain and end grain. End grain is made by the gluing of wooden pieces so that the fiber is perpendicular to the chopping surface. Usually, these sorts of blocks in commercial use are at least 4 inches thick.
And end grain block is highly prized by most chefs because the board is able to stand up to endless knife blade impacts. The impact is absorbed by the surface, which allows the edge of the knife to penetrate between the wooden fibers. This helps to prevent the knife edge from becoming dull quickly and also helps the surface to stand up to gouges and nicks.
Like its sister, the edge grain block is made in almost the same way -- by taking pieces of wood and gluing them together -- but the fibers are laid out parallel to the surface and not perpendicular. This makes the board quite a bit easier to manufacture, and hence less costly to buy.
As far as refinishing of a surface, and end grain block can be done numerous times. Due to the less expensive nature of edge grain manufacture, it is generally the case that the board can be refinished only a certain number of times. Both boards undergo high-pressure gluing to keep the wooden pieces together. End grain is more durable than edge grain, and both will need re-oiling on occasion.
Take a look at most any new home that has been constructed recently and it's a sure bet that there will be some surfaces or countertops in the kitchen that feature butchers block. Countertops are pretty popular for this sort of surface, and a traditional block with legs will also generally be seen in higher priced homes. They are less expensive and can last equally as long as other sorts of counter surfaces. - 32406
And end grain block is highly prized by most chefs because the board is able to stand up to endless knife blade impacts. The impact is absorbed by the surface, which allows the edge of the knife to penetrate between the wooden fibers. This helps to prevent the knife edge from becoming dull quickly and also helps the surface to stand up to gouges and nicks.
Like its sister, the edge grain block is made in almost the same way -- by taking pieces of wood and gluing them together -- but the fibers are laid out parallel to the surface and not perpendicular. This makes the board quite a bit easier to manufacture, and hence less costly to buy.
As far as refinishing of a surface, and end grain block can be done numerous times. Due to the less expensive nature of edge grain manufacture, it is generally the case that the board can be refinished only a certain number of times. Both boards undergo high-pressure gluing to keep the wooden pieces together. End grain is more durable than edge grain, and both will need re-oiling on occasion.
Take a look at most any new home that has been constructed recently and it's a sure bet that there will be some surfaces or countertops in the kitchen that feature butchers block. Countertops are pretty popular for this sort of surface, and a traditional block with legs will also generally be seen in higher priced homes. They are less expensive and can last equally as long as other sorts of counter surfaces. - 32406
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Some things to consider before you buy butchers block furniture or cutting boards, is whether it is end grain or not. Generally, end grain makes the best butcher block and is better for using with heavy knives, because, although it is more expensive, it is far longer lasting.
