News — acacia boards

Are end grain boards worth it for knife sharpness UK?

If you care about knife sharpness in the UK, then yes, end grain boards are usually worth it: in home kitchens they can reduce sharpening frequency by around 30 to 40 percent compared with cheap plastic or glass boards, as the knife edge tends to sink between the wood fibres instead of crashing against them. End grain vs other boards: what actually protects your knives? Knife sharpness is lost when the very thin edge is bent or chipped. The surface you cut on has a huge impact. In simple terms: End grain wood lets the blade slide between fibres, so...

Read more →


What are the best chopping boards for knife care UK?

If you want to protect your knives in the UK, the best chopping boards are medium to large wooden boards made from bamboo or acacia, around 38x28cm to 45x35cm, with a bit of “give” in the surface. In practical terms, boards like the Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.8kg) or Large Acacia Board (45x35cm, 2.1kg) are kinder to knife edges than glass, marble or very hard plastics and can help keep a home cook’s knives sharper for 5 to 10 years with proper care. Why chopping board material matters for knife care Knife edges are very thin. Every...

Read more →


John Boos vs OXO cutting boards for raw meat?

If you prepare raw meat at home more than twice a week and want the safest, most durable setup, a dedicated non porous plastic board like OXO is usually the most practical day to day choice, while a thick end grain hardwood board such as John Boos is better for heavy butchery and long term durability when you are willing to oil and care for it. Many home cooks in the UK find the best balance is one plastic board for raw meat and a separate pre oiled wooden board, such as a 45x35cm Deer & Oak bamboo or acacia...

Read more →


End grain vs edge grain boards for knife maintenance?

If your main goal is knife maintenance, an end grain board will usually keep your knives sharper for 30 to 50 percent longer than an equivalent edge grain board, but a well made edge grain board in the right wood (or bamboo) still protects your blades far better than glass or plastic. The smart choice is to use end grain for daily prep with your favourite chef’s knife, and a quality edge grain board for heavier or messier jobs. End grain vs edge grain boards for knife maintenance: the short answer End grain boards are made with the wood fibres...

Read more →