Our Work · Specialty Pieces
Engraved End Grain Walnut Cutting Board
An end-grain walnut cutting board with a maple inlay that reads "Many have eaten here, few have died," built to be kind to knives and to last for years of real use.
How It Was Made
From a stack of walnut to a board built for daily use.
Notes from the bench, in Dan's own words.
Why end grain
I wanted an end-grain board because the grain stands up like a bundle of straws: it is easier on knife edges, and it wicks moisture and bacteria down and away from the surface. I cut thick walnut into squares, glued them into standing rows, then glued the rows together for the board.
Flattening and the inlay
You cannot run end grain through a planer, so I flattened it on the CNC. Then I carved a V-shaped cavity and cut its mirror image into a sheet of maple, so the maple drops in like a plug and reads clean: a chef's-skull with "Many have eaten here, few have died."
Two sides, on purpose
A lot of makers put the fancy inlay on the main surface, then nobody wants to cut on it. So I put the inlay on the display side and the juice groove on the other, with finger grooves on the edges, so you cut on one side and show off the other. I finished it with food-safe mineral oil, which soaks in, protects the wood, and is easy to refresh any time.
I build every piece to last for generations, with the same attention to the wood, the joinery, and the finish that went into this one. If you have something in mind for your own home, I would love to talk it through.
Inquire about a similar pieceBegin a Project
Considering a piece of work for your home?
We take on a limited number of projects each year. Reach out with what you have in mind and we will be in touch to discuss the space, the materials, and the timing.