Cookaholics Bulletin Board

My cheaper cutting boards are starting to warp and I am looking at the Boos boards. Is there a big difference in long-term wear with different woods?
I know maple is probably the hardest, but the size I want isn't available right now, and there is a sale on. So that leaves Walnut or Cherry. All are beautiful. I have a 12' soapstone island and I keep 2 24 x 18 boards in my prep area all the time (to prevent scratching the stone and ruining the knives) and another at the end across from the sink. So they are always on display, but, more importantly, used constantly. What do you think? Need to order tonight. Thanks!

In round numbers, maple, cherry, and walnut all appear on lists with densities of 35-45 lbs\cu ft so I do not think that one species of wood is inherently more durable than another.

When it comes to appearance, I think Cherry wins hands down even though my island is a maple block.

My two cutting boards are ironwood and alder, so I don't have a boat in this race.

Cookie,

Checking out the Wood Database, walnut is in between cherry and maple in hardness and weight, so is probably the better choice, just using these specs to choose. Another spec that is probably useful in choosing a wood for boards is crushing strength, and it is also in between there.

As for any of these hardwoods in cutting boards, this is where cheap is often just that, as there are many maples out there, and the woods can be cut in ways which will guarantee their warping. So the money spent on a Boos will be well spent.

Fuzzy,

I am surprised that you cold find a chopping board made of alder! It is softer than many varieties of pine, and is often suggested for people starting out hand carving, due to it's softness.

Thanks, everyone, for your input! I'll probably go with the cherry….

Depends on the alder; this one is old growth, I think, because its harder than any pine I've ever dealt with. It was actually the end of a countertop I picked up at a contractor's surplus store. Its main virtue is size; 18" by 24" by 2". Plus it was $8.

Mind you, the ironwood wasn't much more, thanks to the economics of Chinese hardware stores. And that sucker is HARD.