Know your wood
Three domestic hardwoods, chosen for the job
Hardness is measured on the Janka scale: the force needed to press a steel ball halfway into the wood. Hard enough to last, gentle enough on your knives.
| Wood | Janka hardness | Character |
|---|---|---|
Hard Maple
|
1450 lbf | The hardest of our woods. Very small pores help keep moisture and food out. |
Black WalnutThis board
|
1010 lbf | Rich, dark brown heartwood. Like all three, durable and kind to knife edges. |
Black Cherry
|
950 lbf | Our softest wood, still hard and durable. Darkens from pinkish brown to a deep reddish brown with light. |

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Boardsmith 101
Everything you need to know about choosing, using, and maintaining a lifetime cutting board.









