Need Your Opinion on this Cutting board

[subfuscpersona]

hi all

I just bought this cutting board at a local "job lot" store

It is 13" in diameter, 1-1/2" thick, weighs (according to my bathroom scale) 5lb and the sticker says "imported from Thailand". The "inlay" pieces are nice and tight. It cost $10. If you flip it over the surface is all flat so that side could be used for serious chopping without marring the front.

With the holidays coming up, I'm thinking it might make a good gift for a few of my friends who are serious about cooking and equipment.

What's your opinion? If you got this as a gift would you honestly like and/or use it? "Cons" as well as "pros" are earnestly solicited. (The only thing I'm not sure about is whether someone would really want a round board but you may have other observations. I don't know the wood but I'm speculating they do some serious chopping in Thailand and it doesn't look or feel cheap.)

"Job lot" stuff goes quickly and there are about 4 more in good condition left so I hope I get feedback ASAP. TIA.

 

[crewsk]

I like it sub & would be happy to recieve it as a gift & would deffinantly use it. Not only would it be useful, but it is pleasing to the eye.

 

[SizzlininIN]

Personally I perfer ones with with 4 sides vs. round ones. Its a very nice piece though. You may casually mention what you found to the people your thinking about getting one for and see what their opinion is. If its a place where you can return things then go ahead and by them and within the weeks time see what your friends feelings are regarding the shapes they perfer. If they would perfer the later then return the pieces and your not out any money.

 

[AllenOK]

Could you post a close-in shot of the grain of the sides? Are the inlaid pieces a thin veneir (sp?), or are the "blocks" solid?

If the blocks are solid, odds are, you've got a nice quality piece of "end-grain" constructed cutting board.

I'm thinking about making some edge-grain cutting boards. Gotta find access to some power tools first, though.

 

[masteraznchefjr]

pretty decent

 

[Michael in FtW]

To repeat myself from the other place you posted the same question ...

For some reason it appears that the Asian cutting boards generally are round ... at least from watching various Asian chefs on TV. Of course, most of them also look like a 3-4 inch thick slice of a large diameter tree trunk.

Although, like MJ, I really like a larger rectangular board - I could see where this would be a handy size if you had limited counter space. It appears to be an end-grain board, which is a big plus because it will not warp or dull your knives as much as a side-grain board.

I went out a looked at other round boards at various sites ... most are about 15-16 inches in diameter ... and cost between about $60-$100 ... so $10 is a steal deal.

FWIW - your picture is actually of the bottom of the board. The other side (without the indentions) is the top. Sitting that way, if you want to pick the board up you have a space to get your fingers under the board - like a built in handle.

It looks like a nice board to me! Sure can't beat the price. And, if I got one as a gift I certainly would appreciate it.

 

[subfuscpersona]

hi AllenMI - here are the pix

Could you post a close-in shot of the grain of the sides? Are the inlaid pieces a thin veneir (sp?), or are the "blocks" solid?

The blocks are solid. I couldn't think of the right way to describe it. Here are the closeups (wish I could use the camera to better advantage)

closeup - side view

closeup - top view

 

[subfuscpersona]

educate me

hi Michael and Allen

Thanks for the info - I didn't know I was using it upsidedown. Now that I posted more pix, does this look like what you're calling "end-grain" (???)

Please educate me further - what's end-grain and why is it kinder to knives?

====================
Thanks to all who've taken the time to reply. It's greatly appreciated. :!:

 

[middie]

i think that's a beautiful board