“Are your chopping boards made from one solid piece of oak?”

It’s a fair question. The answer is no. Our boards are made from multiple pieces of solid oak, called staves. Not because it’s easier, but because it’s better that way.

If a long-lasting chopping board could be made from a single slab, we’d do it, it would save us so much time and effort, but the truth is, wooden boards made from one piece will warp, cup, or crack.
You know that board that wobbles when you're buttering your toast ? You don't want that in your kitchen !

The Problem with One-Piece Boards

Solid wood moves. It expands and contracts with temperature and humidity — especially in a kitchen, where moisture, heat, and drying all happen in the same day.

That natural movement leads to boards twisting, cracking or warping over time. And once that happens, the board usually ends up in the bin.

Why We Use Staves Instead

We build our chopping boards from multiple strips of solid oak, beech or ash — these are called staves.

Each stave is planed smooth, checked for grain direction, and glued with a waterproof, food-safe adhesive. This takes longer than cutting from a slab, but the result is a more stable, reliable board.

Scan the big marketplaces, and you’ll see plenty of imported boards, often made from unknown tropical hardwoods, glued with interior adhesives, and sold with no mention of food safety. Some manufacturers don’t know better. Some just don’t care.

People often assume that multi-piece boards are made from off-cuts or waste to save money. While stave construction can use smaller sections of timber, there’s nothing second-rate about the process, in fact, it takes more time and attention to get it right.

By using staves, we can control the structure and appearance, avoiding knots and flaws, matching the grain, and building something that will last.

What About End Grain Boards?

If you’re after the ultimate chopping board, look at our end grain range. These boards are made with the ends of the timber facing up — creating a surface that’s not only beautiful, but also incredibly durable.

End grain boards are often described as “self-healing” because the wood fibres absorb the impact of the knife rather than being cut across. This means fewer marks, a longer life, and a surface that’s noticeably easier on your knives. They take more time to make, but the result is worth it — especially if you use your board every day.

View our end grain chopping boards

What Are the Benefits for You?

• A surface that stays flat and stable
• Beautiful grain, matched by hand
• Food-safe timber and glue
• A board built to last for years, not months

Every board is handmade in our UK workshop by skilled craftsmen who care about what they’re making.

See our full collection of handmade oak chopping boards

Still Prefer a One-Piece Board?

That’s up to you. But we’d advise against it if you want a board that holds its shape.

You’ll find almost every professional-grade board — whether a butcher’s block or end-grain chopping board — is made from multiple pieces. It’s not a shortcut. It’s the right way to do it.

FAQ

Q: Is this board made from one piece of oak?
A: No. It’s made from solid oak staves, joined with waterproof, food-safe adhesive. This makes the board more stable and durable than a single slab.

Q: Do you use off-cuts?
A: No. We use prime-grade oak, chosen for strength, colour and grain. Every piece is carefully prepared before assembly.

Q: Why don’t you just make single-slab boards?
A: Because they don’t hold up. Wood moves — and a single slab is far more likely to twist or split. Stave construction avoids that.

Want to know more?

Get in touch — we’re happy to answer any questions.