Welcome back to the ninth installment of Wisdom Behind The Wood! Here at The Boardsmith, we are often asked what the difference is between a normal cutting board and a "second". The answer is more subtle than most people expect and can help you save on your next cutting board purchase.
Second AKA Frankenboard
During our manufacturing process, we fabricate the panels for our end grain butcher block with a couple extra strips in each (highlighted in red). This allows us to remove small defects that may be present in the wood not visible from the outside. However, the vast majority of these strips do not contain any defects and can be glued up with other extra strips to make a perfectly functional sustainable cutting board.
Image on left is a standard walnut board. Image on right is a second walnut board.
Comparing the two boards, the left is symmetrical and consistent while the right has more of a random pattern. We affectionately call seconds "Frankenboards" as they are made up of the extras of multiple standard boards. They are finished to the same exacting standards as our "firsts" and are built to stand the test of time. We offer them at a discount and you have the option to add feet, grooves, and engraving (if desired). We are constantly updating the Seconds and Sale Items Page, so be sure to check back periodically if the size or species you want isn't available. Grab your own Frankenboard here!
One-Offs
One-Offs are another common product on the Seconds and Sale Items page. These sustainable cutting boards are products that don't fall into an existing category but are still beautiful and functional boards. They are not Frankenboards...the strips are symmetrical and consistent. Common examples are mosaics, oddly sized boards, and boards with minor blemishes. These are also discounted and typically include feet. You can add grooves or engraving (if desired). Pro tip: this can be a good way to snag a mosaic without the typical 4-6 week lead time. Browse One-Offs here!
Part of our initiative with Seconds and One-Offs is an effort to operate sustainably. We strive to use as much of our beautiful wood as possible with little to no waste. We sell or donate remaining useable off-cuts to local stores and hobbyist woodworkers in an effort to be good stewards of our resources.
About Nolan Russell
Nolan Russell is the Operations Manager at The Boardsmith. His blog segment dives deeper into the trees, lumber, and the science that make our butcher block the best in the world. Nolan is a Certified Arborist, former Tree Care Professional, and all-around tree nerd.