News — kitchen

If you use Japanese knives in the UK, the best chopping board is a medium to large wooden or bamboo board that measures at least 38x28cm, weighs around 1.2 to 2.1kg, and is gentle enough to protect a 15 degree edge. In practice, that means choosing a board like the Deer & Oak Large Bamboo Board (45x35cm, 1.8kg) or Large Acacia Board (45x35cm, 2.1kg), which are soft enough for high carbon steel but still firm and stable for daily prep. Why Japanese knives need a different chopping board Japanese knives are usually harder than Western knives, often around 60 HRC...

If your main goal is to protect your knife blades, the best chopping board material is medium hardness wood such as bamboo or acacia, in a generous size like 45x35cm and a weight around 1.8 to 2.1kg so the board stays stable and your knife edge lasts 5 to 10 years between major regrinds. Why board material matters for knife protection Every cut is a collision between steel and your chopping board. If the board is too hard, the knife edge chips and rolls. If it is too soft, the blade sinks in, twists and can feel unsafe. The sweet...

If knife sharpness is your priority, a well made wood board such as acacia is typically kinder to edges than standard bamboo, because bamboo fibres and silica content can be slightly tougher on blades over 5 to 10 years of daily use. That said, high quality Moso bamboo boards, like Deer & Oak’s 45x35cm Large Bamboo Board, offer an excellent balance of eco friendly credentials, hygiene and edge retention when paired with regular honing. Bamboo vs wood chopping boards for knife sharpness: the short answer For pure knife friendliness, traditional wood boards like acacia or maple usually win by a...

If you want to prevent cross contamination in your kitchen, the most effective setup is to use at least two separate chopping boards: one reserved for raw meat and fish, and one for ready to eat foods like bread, fruit and salads. In practice, a colour or material system works best, such as using a darker 45x35cm board for raw proteins and a lighter 38x28cm board for vegetables and cooked food. Why separate chopping boards matter for kitchen hygiene Cross contamination happens when bacteria from raw meat, poultry or fish spread to ready to eat food. A single board for...