Carving Board

For a woodworking project, cutting boards carry a lot of appeal. You can make one (or more) in a short amount of time. A cutting board requires little wood — often you can use scraps from other projects. And the skills necessary to make one fall within the realm of beginners.

For all that simplicity though, cutting boards are fertile ground for improvisation and customisation. There are even online communities dedicated to the subject. And they make great gifts. What more could you ask for?

SKILLBUILDER. As a woodworker, it can be fun to whip out a few cutting boards for gifts. But I also enjoy making a cutting board to try out a new skill, material or style. And that’s what I’ve done here.

This project takes the form of a “carving board” because it incorporates grooves to contain the juices released when cutting fruits, vegetables and meats. To take things further, I wanted to add something beyond a basic perimeter groove. Our Creative Director, Chris, came up with a tree-of-life motif that reminds me of Shaker designs … or Lord of the Rings.