Butcher block chopping boards are now extremely popular for residential use. Originally started around a hundred years ago for use by professional butchers, the long lasting beauty has created a more general appeal. No longer are they exclusively for commercial use, and they are a popular addition to any one’s kitchen.
A lot of people now buy these cutting boards for use in the kitchen or residential because their natural beauty and longevity make them extremely good value for money in the long run. The old way of working meat on a slice of wood cut from a tree was always an unhygienic way of doing things and the butchers block was a major step forward in dealing with this issue. The way in which the wood pieces are fixed together makes for a far more hygienic surface which can be sanded down as needed.
Big, solid and long lasting, these butcher block chopping boards are usually made with the smaller home in mind and it is unlikely that a full size commercial block would be used in the kitchen as they are not as aesthetically pleasing.
There are two distinct types of butcher block - end grain and side grain, the difference being that the end grain - as the name suggests uses the end grain of a piece of wood, so that when a knife is used, it slips between the grains, meaning less damage to the knife and fewer sharpenings. Typically, a hard wood such as Maple is used, meaning many years of use.
The wood in butcher block is attached with glue, meaning an extremely long lived finish. The pieces are so tightly bonded that the block is actually harder than a single piece of wood and certain to last an extremely long time.
Sometimes these boards are available used, either in flea markets or on websites such as ebay because they are so long lived. the commercial ones tend to be less pleasing to the eye, but are extremely practical.
These butcher block tables will make any home look fabulous. Get a color of table that goes with the wood that is on your countertops. Or perhaps even your trim. Coming in many styles from auction to modern looking even. As you shop around for your own butcher block table don’t forget to compare prices.
