The two main benefits of end grain cutting boards are board longevity (the end grain of the wood will not show slice marks as much as side grain or face grain) and knife longevity (the ends of the wood fibers are kinder and gentler to knife blades, thus reducing sharpening frequency and prolonging the blade’s life). This DIY cutting board, like most that I make, is an end grain cutting board. But don’t let its simplicity fool you, this end grain cutting board will enhance the beauty of any kitchen and give years of chopping pleasure! You’ve probably seen a lot of sites showing how to make an and grain cutting board, but you won’t find a more beautiful pattern that is still within reach of the novice woodworker.
I’ve included a cut sheet at the end of the post, so you’ll be able to duplicate this exact DIY cutting board. In this end grain cutting board tutorial, I’ll show you the steps involved in making a beautifully-patterned board with four species of wood.