Butcher Block
This heavy block is not only functional, it's also decorative. It is made of walnut and maple, held together with a strong FDA-approved glue, and treated with butcher block conditioner. An end-grain cutting board has the benefits of being both attractive and easy on your knives. An end-grain board also has a very fibrous cutting surface, so the knife's edge goes between the wood fibers while you are cutting. It also gives the board a self-healing property as cuts and marks will naturally close up and appear to heal over time. Tests show that most woods used in cutting boards apparently absorb bacteria in such a way that the surface is kept surprisingly free of pathogens. Cost is dependent upon size and pattern density. Smaller "bricks" means more pieces, which means more time. All of my end grain boards are reversible, and the joints are fortified with biscuits, which are wooden splines hidden from view (but viewable in the third pic), to ensure that every one of my projects will last for generations.
Long-time member
A Maker who has been a valued part of this community for several years.
Fast shipper
Customers say that this Maker ships promptly after completing a project.
Great service
This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
Important update: On January 14th, I lost my shop cat when he suddenly died in my arms while my son and I were watching a movie. My son was upset over losing our pet, and upset over the impact it had on me. On February 9th, I found him, my only child, on his bedroom floor after he shot himself in the head with a 9mm he had smuggled from his grandfather. He would have been 15 in March. I have not been able to bring myself to work in the woodshop since then, but I hope to regain that passion one day. The following profile was written when I was first accepted as a Maker. One day, when I am ready, I will rewrite it and resume working, but I've no idea how long the wait will be.<<<<
I live in Walker, Louisiana, near Baton Rouge, where the humidity is ridiculous, the food is delicious, and the bugs can get just plain scary. My educational background is in nuclear engineering (seriously), courtesy of the United States Navy, but I was eventually drawn into the family's ironworking business, established by my grandfather in 1947.
I thoroughly enjoy creating things with my hands, and it didn't take me long to learn the tricks of the ironworking trade. I made many driveway gates, New Orleans style columns, balcony railings, and some of my fencework has been featured in Southern Living magazine.
I began my woodworking career with the intention of making Christmas presents for family. What better way to show someone you care than presenting them with an item made with your hands and heart? In doing so, I inadvertently stepped on a path that "wood" (haha) take me from metal shavings and burns to sawdust and cuts. My background with iron fabrication and layout enabled me to pick up on woodworking quickly, and I slowly built my arsenal of woodworking tools a piece at a time.
Now, all of my woodwork is done inside a garage, powered with rockin' music, and supervised by my shop cat, Agilarr, who has become so unmoved by the noise the machines make that he'll just sit there and let sawdust rain on him rather than move from wherever he's basking.
I put a lot of heart into everything I make. Some projects might take longer than others, but it rarely seems like work; imagining how pleased the intended recipient will be with whatever item I am crafting at the time keeps my spirits perpetually high. The only regret I have in sending my products through the mail is that I don't get the privilege of witnessing the reaction when they're viewed for the first time.
My relationship with a customer does not end when the purchase is delivered. I don't send anything out that I'm not proud to put my name behind, and I strive to offer unparalleled customer service.
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