How is Butchers Block made ?

Butcher block is used to form counter tops, table tops, cutting boards, workbench tops, kitchen islands, work benches, carving boards, dining tables; and even occasionally the traditional meat block. It is extremely easy to work on after production and was designed to allow the surface to be sanded down after cutting meat directly in the surface. Traditionally, a butcher would buy one as an apprentice and use one block throughout his career.The blocks are made in the first instance by gluing smaller pieces of wood together under high pressure, which forms an extremely hard surface. If end grain blocks have been used, the knife will slip between the grains, prolonging the time between sharpening and saving considerable money in the process. There are several ways of making blocks, but they all boil down to the same thing. It is even possible to make your own, but these are less durable because it is impossible to apply a high enough pressure without specialized equipment.

The first butcher’s block was built in Michigan in 1881, using a technique called “wood welding.” But all the other makers use similar techniques and there is very little difference in the actual method. Although quite a few makers claim to have made the first blocks the honor would seem to go to Michigan.

Lately there have been a few attempts to use new materials such as bamboo instead of the traditional Maplewood, but the simple fact is that bamboo gets torn up when using a serrated knife. The bamboo boards will do in a pinch, but a hard wood will out last a bamboo board. The other issue with the bamboo boards is their tendency to warp because the wood is more porous than other, harder woods such as Teak, Maple or Oak.

Any board should never be washed in a dishwasher, and this is certain death to a bamboo board and will shorten the life span of any other board. The manufacturing techniques for bamboo boards are not really any different – it is the base wood that is different. Once the boards have been pressed or welded, they can be worked like any other piece of wood and turned to many different shapes and sizes. Usual uses include chopping boards, cutting boards and workbenches and kitchen countertops.