To understand this question further, we must first understand what grain is and what the three different types of grains are: face grain, edge grain, and end grain.

First, what is meant by grain of wood? The grain of wood is how the wood-cell fibers are oriented in the wood, as well as describes the size of pores. The larger the pores and the more variable the wood cells, the courser the grain. Each species of wood has varying types of grain. Pine wood, for instance, has a very heavy and thick grain that you can visibly see. Woods such as maple, on the other hand, are fine grained.

For this discussion, picture a log standing on end. The top of the log which you can see the visible tree rings, is considered end grain. If you were to slice through the log from top to bottom, the front of that board would be considered face grain. Face grain is what you will often recognize as the style of wood in other projects. Your edge grain would be the side of that board.

Ok, got it. But what is the difference? Isn’t it all the same wood? Not quite. The face of a piece of wood often has a beautiful surface with wide grain markings. This type of grain, however, isn’t as strong as edge or end grain boards due to the spacing of the grains. The end grain of the board can often have larger pores leading to a higher amount of moisture absorption. Despite this, the cells are packed tightly together and give the end grain a stronger and more durable surface. The edge grain of wood is an equally durable surface when compared to end grain due to the cells being tightly packed together. Edge grain has the benefit of not being nearly as porous as end grain, giving it the benefit of being more resistant to changes due to moisture.

The best wood grain for cutting boards is a hotly contested topic. The question is, do end grain cutting boards offer a longer lasting and higher quality product? Or is edge grain the better option to reduce scratches and knife marks? Great question! Choosing a grain for your cutting board is really based on usage and preference. Below are some things to consider when choosing a board type.

Face grain - This type of grain shows the most grain and therefore the most beauty when seeking out your wood. However, it will also show knife marks easily, and is not recommended for heavy cutting or chopping use. Face grain is an excellent choice for charcuterie and serving boards.

Edge grain - This type of board provides significantly more strength and durability than your face grain boards. Because the grain is not exposed, they will not require the upkeep like the end grain boards, but will still offer the benefit of hiding knife wear. This is a great mid-range board for cutting and chopping.

End grain - This type of grain has the added benefit of not dulling knives as quickly as the other two. It is also incredibly durable and strong, and does not show knife wear. The exposed grain style will require more maintenance with these boards, and because they take more labor to produce, they often come with a higher price tag. These are excellent boards for heavy cutting use.

End grain boards are some of the most costly boards to produce due to the methods used to make them. Instead of using large planks of wood to create a surface, making an end grain board requires the assembly of many smaller pieces of the ends of the wood. Picture making an 8” square board using a 2” x 4” piece of lumber. Pretty simple, right? Now picture making that same 8” square board using only the ends of that 2” x 4” board. As you can see, this type of board is much more laborious, You will often see these boards have a checkerboard pattern for this very reason!

Your custom board will come finished with our homemade “Squid Ink” conditioning cream, along with a small jar of cream for maintenance and upkeep. The amount of upkeep will depend heavily upon your usage and your local climate. Here are a few tips to keep your board in prime shape!

1. Never submerge your board completely in water or place in the dishwasher. Generally you can just wipe down your board using a damp cloth. For more through cleaning, wash and rinse under running water using a mild detergent and soft rag. After washing the board, wipe off excess water before setting it out to dry.

2. Dry your board by setting it on end, and allow it to air dry on the counter.

3. Store your board on its edge to reduce the possibility of warping.

4. Maintain your board by applying “Squid Ink” conditioning cream or a food safe oil to the board anytime it looks dry or at least once per month.

5. For a deeper level maintenance for boards that have heavy cut marks or are feeling rough, you can re-sand the board with a 220-grit or finer sand paper. With a damp rag, wipe down the board after sanding. Once the board dries completely, you can sand it one more time. Then apply your board conditioner and let it soak in. You may need multiple coats of conditioner!

Our “Squid Ink” board conditioning cream is a homemade cream made from a special blend of food grade mineral oil and beeswax. It is simple and efficient to make at home.

The great thing about our “Squid Ink” is that it is a versatile product that can be used on any wood items used in the kitchen and beyond!

Yes! Please contact us directly to obtain a small jar of our “Squid Ink” conditioning cream. Prices are $3 for small jars, and $6 for large jars, plus shipping and handling.

The types of wood that we work with truly runs the gamut. From your softer woods like pine and beech wood, to harder varieties like white oak, we utilize the right wood for the project. Each project’s unique features and look will help determine the best type of wood. Contact us directly for help deciding what type of wood is best for your project.

Here is a list of woods we have previously utilized:

• Beech

• Cherry

• Mahogany

• Maple

• Oak

• Olive

• Pine

• Purple Heart

• Walnut

Custom work is just that. Custom. With this comes a large amount of variables including design time, labor time, machine usage and time, wood and material costs, and more. It is very difficult to nail down the exact cost of every project that we will encounter. Because of this, we ask that you contact us directly to discuss your project. You can take a peek at our pricing page to get a rough idea before contacting us. We promise to make the quote process quick and painless!

We are a small home-based company that focuses on custom work for each of our clients. This often means that we don’t have the opportunity to create a large amount of non-custom work to sell in our store. Whenever we do have the time, however, we like to create something that is ready to go for you. Make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to know when we have products for sale on our store page.

We love working alongside our fellow creators to support their project journeys. Check out the brief list of some of the ways we can assist you.

• Small to large wood cutouts

• Laser cut and engraved pieces including: wood, paper, textiles, and more!

• Engravings on your created piece including: wood, paper, canvas, glass

• Digital designs for greeting cards and invitations

• Logo design

• CNC design services

Yes! If there is a piece that we have made previously that you have your eye on, contact us directly for ordering one for you.

Yes! We know how it goes. You spend hours searching through images only to find that you like bits and pieces of multiple different projects. Contact us directly to discuss your custom piece, and don’t forget those pictures!