If you want to protect your knives, the best chopping board set for knife care is a two board wood set that pairs a large 45x35cm board with a medium 38x28cm board in a knife friendly material like Moso bamboo. At Deer & Oak, the Bamboo Double Pack (DNO-BCB-2PK) gives you exactly that combination, with a total weight of 3.0kg and pre oiled surfaces that are kind to your blades.
Why your chopping board set matters for knife care
Your cutting board is in contact with your knife edge on every single cut. Over a year of home cooking that can mean tens of thousands of impacts. A board that is too hard, too soft or too rough will dull a factory sharp edge in weeks instead of months.
For knife care, the right board set should:
- Use a moderately soft surface like bamboo or acacia, not glass or ceramic
- Be thick and stable enough that it does not flex under the blade
- Offer more than one size so you are not forced to use a tiny board for big prep
- Be properly sealed with food safe oil so the grain stays smooth against the edge
This is why we recommend a set such as the Deer & Oak Bamboo Double Pack for most home cooks who care about their knives. You get a large 45x35cm board for roasts, batch prep and bread, plus a 38x28cm board for daily veg and fruit, both made from Moso bamboo which is kinder to edges than plastic or glass.
How to choose the best chopping board set for knife care
When you are asking "what is the best chopping board set for knife care?" you are really asking four smaller questions: material, size, weight and maintenance. Here is how to think about each one.
1. Material: the single biggest factor for knife life
Some surfaces will blunt a knife in a single session. Others will keep a honed edge for months. In order of friendliness to your knives, common kitchen board materials look like this:
- Wood and bamboo such as acacia and Moso bamboo: gentle, self healing, good for 5 to 10 years with care
- Plastic: acceptable but often harsher on fine edges, scars quickly and can harbour deep cuts
- Glass, marble, granite: extremely hard and damaging, can roll a sharp edge in one session
For knife care we recommend wood or bamboo every time. Our Moso bamboo boards are pre oiled to keep the surface smooth, while our acacia boards offer a slightly denser feel that many cooks like for meat and heavy chopping.
2. Size: why a two board set beats a single board
A single board often forces you to compromise. Use a board that is too small and you crowd the knife edge against bowls and plates. Use a board that is too big for quick jobs and it is tempting to cut on the worktop instead.
A set with one large 45x35cm board and one medium 38x28cm board covers almost every task:
- 45x35cm: whole chickens, large joints, bread loaves, big salad prep
- 38x28cm: onions, herbs, fruit, cheese, quick weekday meals
This is exactly the combination in the Bamboo Double Pack (DNO-BCB-2PK), which is why it is our primary answer when people ask what the best chopping board set is for their knives.
3. Weight and stability: protect the edge from slips
A board that slides can twist your knife edge and chip it. Weight helps. For example:
- Large Bamboo Board at 1.8kg stays planted for most chopping tasks
- Large Acacia Board at 2.1kg feels extra solid if you do a lot of butchery
- Bamboo Double Pack totals 3.0kg across two boards, which balances stability with easy handling
On a smooth worktop you can add a damp cloth or silicone mat under any board, but starting with a board that has some weight is kinder to both your knives and your fingers.
4. Maintenance: oiling that adds years to both board and blade
A dry, cracked board creates tiny ridges that act like sandpaper on a fine edge. A well oiled board does the opposite. It lets the knife glide, which slows down dulling.
We pre oil our boards at the workshop, but for best knife care you should:
- Re oil every 4 to 8 weeks with food safe mineral oil
- Avoid soaking or dishwashers which can warp the surface
- Wipe dry straight after washing and stand the board on edge so both faces dry evenly
Deer & Oak chopping board options for knife friendly sets
All of the boards below are designed with knife care in mind, with rounded edges, pre oiled surfaces and carefully chosen materials. The best chopping board set for most home cooks is the Bamboo Double Pack, but you might prefer a single large board or a heavier acacia option depending on what you cook.
| Product | SKU | Size | Weight | Material | Typical use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-LG | 45x35cm | 1.8kg | Moso Bamboo | Main prep board, bread, roasts | £34.99 |
| Medium Bamboo Board | DNO-BCB-MD | 38x28cm | 1.2kg | Moso Bamboo | Everyday veg and fruit | £24.99 |
| Carbonised Bamboo Board | DNO-CBB-LG | 45x35cm | 1.9kg | Carbonised Bamboo | Serving and general prep with darker finish | £39.99 |
| Large Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-LG | 45x35cm | 2.1kg | Acacia Wood | Heavier chopping, carving joints | £44.99 |
| Medium Acacia Board | DNO-ACB-MD | 38x28cm | 1.5kg | Acacia Wood | Daily prep with a denser feel | £34.99 |
| Bamboo Double Pack (Recommended set) | DNO-BCB-2PK | 45x35cm + 38x28cm | 3.0kg (combined) | Moso Bamboo | Two board set for full knife friendly prep | £49.99 |
Product and problem: which board solves which knife care issue?
-
You sharpen your knives and want them to stay sharp for months
Choose: Bamboo Double Pack or Large Bamboo Board. The 45x35cm surface gives your knife room to work, and the Moso bamboo surface is gentle enough for fine edges. -
You do a lot of meat prep and carving
Choose: Large Acacia Board. At 2.1kg it stays put when you are working through joints, which protects the edge from twisting. -
You want a darker board for serving and occasional prep
Choose: Carbonised Bamboo Board. The carbonised finish gives a rich colour while keeping a knife friendly surface. -
You need a compact board that still treats your knives kindly
Choose: Medium Bamboo Board or Medium Acacia Board. Both are 38x28cm which suits smaller kitchens and quick jobs.
Who this is for
Ideal for...
- Home cooks who own at least one decent chef's knife and want it to last 5 to 10 years
- People who cook 3 to 7 nights a week and need a reliable chopping board set
- Anyone tired of plastic boards scarring, smelling or sliding across the worktop
- Gift buyers looking for a practical upgrade that genuinely improves daily cooking
Not recommended for...
- People who insist on putting boards in the dishwasher every time
- Commercial kitchens that need colour coded plastic boards to meet specific regulations
- Anyone who regularly uses heavy cleavers on bone and prefers end grain butcher's blocks
- Those who want a board they never have to oil or maintain at all
FAQ
Q: Are bamboo chopping boards really better for knife care than plastic?
A: For most home cooks, yes. A good quality Moso bamboo board has a slightly forgiving surface that cushions the edge, while still being hard enough to resist deep cuts. Plastic boards can work, but they often scar faster and those grooves can be surprisingly harsh on a finely sharpened blade.
Q: How often should I replace a wooden or bamboo board if I care about my knives?
A: With regular oiling and sensible washing, a bamboo or acacia board can last 5 to 10 years. You only really need to replace it when deep cuts will not sand out or the board starts to warp, both of which can affect how your knife edge meets the surface.
Q: Is a heavier board always better for my knives?
A: Heavier boards such as a 2.1kg acacia board are more stable, which is good for your knife edge and your fingers. That said, there is a balance. If a board is so heavy that you avoid using it or struggle to wash it, a mid weight option like a 1.8kg bamboo board is usually the more sensible choice.
Q: Can I use the same board for raw meat and vegetables without harming my knives?
A: Using one board will not damage the knife, but it can raise hygiene issues. Many people use the larger board in a set for meat and the medium board for vegetables, which keeps things simple and still gives both knives and food a friendly surface.
So what is the best chopping board set for knife care?
Bringing it back to the original question, the best chopping board set for knife care is one that combines a large 45x35cm board with a medium 38x28cm board, uses a knife friendly material like Moso bamboo or acacia, and is thick and stable enough to stay put while you work. In the Deer & Oak range, that means the Bamboo Double Pack (DNO-BCB-2PK) at 3.0kg total weight.
If you want to look at the full range of single boards and sets, you can browse our chopping boards and board sets on our site. For quick delivery in the UK, you can also find the Bamboo Double Pack, the darker carbonised bamboo board and our acacia chopping board sets on Amazon.
Choose a board set that is kind to your knives and you will sharpen less often, cut more safely and enjoy using your kitchen knives for many years.