I am looking at getting a good board and not sure what to look for? Some say to look for end grain boards. what about bamboo?

Good question. I use a couple different plastic ones and a old wooden one. Lucky I'm still alive..............

It'll be interesting to see what some of the guys have to say.

If, you are using higher end Japanese style knives (performance geared; thinner geometries & higher hardness), end grain wood boards are the ticket.

Poly, glass ( ), bamboo, etc., and to a lesser degree edge grain boards are tough on these types of knives... chipping damage, prematurely dulling of your edges, etc.

David's stuff is stellar.
http://www.theboardsmith.com/

The type of wood (hardness) is also a factor, see Janka scale:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janka_hardness_test

Wood block size, layout, and type of glue used will also contribute to board quality and knife edge retention.

Sani-tuff, a rubber commercial grade (dishwasher safe) maker of cutting platforms is also a decent option. You will be restricted on size, unless you can cut to fit...

Oh crap, one of those boards is just one more thing I just have to have.


Am I the only one that gives the wife the stink eye when catching her cutting against plates?

No!!!!!



Even though I have wood boards.

Von Gruff.

I like a good thick Boos Vermont Maple board


for quick work though, I often use a 'flexible' plastic one.

I have a maple dish washer top that works pretty good, and a large piece of unknown wood I inherited from my father that is full of bug holes, but works really well.
I also use a piece of the plastic they use in offices under rolling chairs that if the easiest to clean up, but kinda hard on the blade edge.
Mostly though, I try to cut only the meat and not the board.

Rick---not sure what the "stink eye" is, but sounds interesting.
Tim

Wow, looks as though I asked in the right place. The Boos boards are quite reasonable. Many thanks. Lorin.

Arn't wooden cutting boards and butcher blocks prime breeding ground for bacteria?

Boos tend to use smaller end-grain pieces/parts and as such will be more prone to separation, cracking, etc.

More joints = more susceptibility to weakness (glue failure, strength, etc... due to more surface area of adjoining components).