What type of cutting board?

[Argamemnon]

I don't know if this is the place to discuss this, but what type of cutting board sould I buy? I want a very good cutting board, what material should it be made of? Thanks!

[GB]

Either wood or plastic. Those are the only decent materials if you want to treat your knives well. End grain wood is better than edge grain wood.

Wood and plastic both have pluses and minuses. I use both in my kitchen for different reasons.

[Argamemnon]

Thank you GB, I will have to look up the difference between edge grain wood and end grain wood.

[GB]

The best way I have heard end grain described is that it is to picture a hair brush. If you put your knife down into the bristles then the bristles kind of separate and surround the blade. This is what end grain wood does. You slice down into the grain and that is much more gentle on your blade than anything else.

[Argamemnon]

Thanks.....

[GB]

There are end grain boards and edge grain boards. End grain are the better (and more expensive) of the two and are the ones I was using the brush to help describe. Edge grain are like end grain turned on their side.

[Argamemnon]

What about Epicurean cutting boards, is that some material or brand name? Epicurean Cutting Boards: Maintenance-free, eco-friendly - 1.866.678.3500

[GB]

If I am not mistaken, those are plastic and should be fine.

[Andy M.]

Actually, according to the website, it's layers of paper soaked in resin and heated to harden.

It may be too hard to be knife edge friendly.

[GB]

Good thing you read it better than me Andy!