There are hundreds of types of wood out there, thousands even. Some that work well for tables, some that are great for wonky-shaped items, are best for benches. But when it comes to cutting boards, will padauk woodwork well or fall short?
Padauk wood is a great option for cutting boards as it does not decay easily, is ultra-resistant to damage, and is extremely strong. This type of wood will do well with years of use due to its ability to maintain shape and avoid looking damaged due to any cutting and carving that it endures.
If you want a type of wood that can go the extra mile when it comes to dinner prep, padauk wood is the one for you. Whether you are crafting your own cutting board or plan to buy one already made, it will live a long life in your kitchen if it is made of padauk. Continue reading to understand why padauk is such a great wood for cutting boards and the one thing to keep in mind when using this specific material.
You would be surprised how often this question comes up. We are very lucky to have a couple Master Woodworkers in our workshops who have used every type of wood imaginable on Cucamonga Woodworking. You can watch our past workshops on YouTube here(Link to Cucamonga Woodworking)
Why is Padauk Wood Good for Cutting Boards?
Alright, let’s give padauk wood a moment in the spotlight here for a second. There are so many wonderful types of wood for every project imaginable.
Still, even though there are thousands of varieties out there, each has its own special qualities that really make them the right material for the job. Keeping this in mind, padauk is no exception.
Padauk wood is good for cutting boards because of its stellar coloration, durability, workability, and rot resistance.
Not only is this going to make a beautiful woodworking piece, but it is sure to last for years, even with consistent and heavy use. Be sure to note that the color may change over time due to UV ray exposure.
With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at a few of the top qualities that make Padauk a good type of wood to use for cutting boards.
Padauk has a Beautiful Color for Cutting Boards
If you are into any woodworking or someone who cares about the small details of your home, then the color of the wood your cutting board is going to be made of is going to matter to you.
It might seem simple, but this staple piece in your kitchen will be sitting out on display more often than you think, so its appearance truly does matter.
After all, you do not want your cutting board coming from an old dried out piece of driftwood or one made from a flimsy piece of multi-colored plywood. You want it to be made from a piece (or pieces!) of wood that gleam with their deep or vibrant hues.
Not all woods are capable of naturally beautiful color, but with padauk wood, this is where it really shines. Padauk wood is great for those of you who want to bring a little color into your kitchen.
The color of padauk can vary from a very pale pinkish-orange to a deep brown-red. For most of these pieces, though, they tend to start as a vibrant red-orange that immediately gets your attention.
The color is loud, but boy, is it beautiful. Sure, you can add a stain to various types of wood, but when working with a cutting board, you have to ensure that any added chemicals are non-toxic. This can be difficult when working with cutting boards, so it is nice to use a type of wood that is naturally beautiful, like Padauk.
Padauk is Highly Durable for Cutting Boards
We all know that beauty is only skin deep. This same sentiment goes for wood. Even if you have the most beautifully colored wood on the outside, if it is not strong and cannot maintain that strength over time, it will not get a second date with you.
When it comes to cutting boards, you have to have a type of wood that will stand up against some serious beatings from your knives, tenderizers, and mallets. For this job, padauk can withstand the test.
Padauk is a hardwood that can take the heat from your kitchen. It is extremely strong, and because of this, you will not have any issue with it cracking, breaking, or warping, no matter how many times you find yourself beating down a chicken breast on its surface.
Padauk wood’s durability also sustains well over time and does not lose its composition due to age. This means fewer replacement cutting boards for you and more money saved. Truly, you might not think of a cutting board as the type of product you would be willing to invest in.
In this day and age, it is not as common to find high-quality products made to last for years. With Padauk used for a cutting board, you will likely find that your investment is well worth it, and you will be satisfied with selecting this type of wood.
Padauk has a Strong Workability to Create a Cutting Board
Outside of something that is going to age well over time, you also want a type of wood that will be easy to handle and work with no matter how big or small the project is.
For those who are not planning on constructing your own cutting board, this may be irrelevant to you. But for those of you that plan to make your meal prep stations on your own, Padauk wood is a fantastic material for doing the work just that much easier for you.
Padauk typically has a straight grain that occasionally can be interlocked. It has a coarse texture that makes gripping for cuts quite easy. Overall, the wood structure is easy to work with and does great when gluing or piecing together. For those parts that you do find to be interlocking, be tedious in taking your time to ensure the least amount of tear-out. These are the points where you will have the most trouble if any.
Because of the beautiful grain pattern and overall texture, choosing Padauk as the type of wood that you craft your cutting boards can be incredibly wise. You need something durable but something that can be worked with to create the perfect woodworking masterpiece. Padauk is just that for your ability to work with it well and design the perfectly-styled cutting board.
Padauk is Rot Resistant
I would bet that every single one of you reading this and considering padauk for your cutting board will wash that same cutting board at some point in time.
If you do not intend to wash the board, I really hope you only plan to cut paper on that thing. Either way, washing means water, and for wood, water means rot. Padauk is special in this area because it has a very desirable quality that some (most) types do not have: rot-resistant.
I am sure termites are not your biggest worry here, but this wood is ultra-resistant to them, along with other types of invasive insect species. Outside of keeping bugs out of your food, padauk wood does a phenomenal job keeping decay at bay.
It is very resistant to any rot, which means you can cut all the juicy things on its surface and wash your cutting board over and over without having to worry about it taking a turn for the worse.
Considering that the best preparation for your meals will take place on this cutting board, it is important to be able to sanitize and wash off the cutting board to make way for a clean and safe food prepping session each time you pull out your Padauk cutting board.
Padauk Can Become Discolored
Although padauk is a great wood logistically for your cutting board, it has one quality that may throw you off a bit: the color of the wood will change over time.
I know you are thinking, “You just went on and on about how beautiful the color is!” I did, and I stand by that because although the color may change, the result is usually magnificent.
Think of it like getting two cutting boards in one. The longer you have your Padauk cutting board, the more exposure it will likely have been to UV rays, and thus you will see a resulting discoloration from the original cutting board color.
This does not have to be a bad thing, though, as this discoloration is just a change from the original- not inherently good or bad.
When this type of wood is exposed to UV rays, the color is taken away, and it typically is changed to a deep reddish-brown color over time. There are UV-inhibiting finishes, but be sure to find a non-toxic finish.
Many finishes for cutting boards may prolong the fade-out, but none will prevent a color change, sadly. If you still are on board with this wood, enjoy its brightness for a few years and then settle with its more mature tones afterward!