Butchers Block

[Ryan - Ground Control Ltd]

I have some hornbeam if anyone is interested in making a proper butchers block...

 

Possibly intrested. Need a new sander first, mine exploded today

[Steve Bullman]

I've spoken to my friend the butcher about this.

 

The above is Not a butchers' block....

A proper butchers' block is constructed so you use it "on the end grain" so with all the bits of wood standing on end. It's also supposed to have squares of wood, arranged in a clever way so that no matter how hard the cleaver cleaves, a forced split can not "run".

(I believe it's achieved by turning the squares so the curves of their grain are "back to back"?)

It needs to be used on the end grain as this protects the finely honed edge of the butchers' knife/cleaver. as it comes down, the end grain can part slightly to accommodate the edge where a cut onto a "sideways grain" board would blunt the blade far quicker.

 

According to my friend the butcher...

 

I have a proper butchers block, came straight out of a butcher shop, its about 4-5 ft long and lush. Problem is when we moved to this house it doesn't fit in the kitchen so its been sat in my garage for the past 5 years in the hope I get to use it again. Need to room now though so been contemplating putting it on ebay as they fetch pretty good coin

[SteveA]

 

That's what we use our 1942 butchers cleaver for.

[se7enthdevil]

I have a proper butchers block, came straight out of a butcher shop, its about 4-5 ft long and lush. Problem is when we moved to this house it doesn't fit in the kitchen so its been sat in my garage for the past 5 years in the hope I get to use it again. Need to room now though so been contemplating putting it on ebay as they fetch pretty good coin

 

don't do that because the day will come when you can use it again and you'll kick yourself for selling it....

[Steve Bullman]

don't do that because the day will come when you can use it again and you'll kick yourself for selling it....

 

I know, thats why i've held on to it for so long

[Marko]

That's what garages, sheds and containers are for; keeping everything that might 'come in' one day. If you need more space then it is obviously time to put up another shed.

[Ryan - Ground Control Ltd]

That's what garages, sheds and containers are for; keeping everything that might 'come in' one day. If you need more space then it is obviously time to put up another shed.

 

Now that's a very valid point!

[Ryan - Ground Control Ltd]

I guess though your looking at £100-£300 for a decent block

[muttley9050]

Ive made loads of butchers blocks. I always start by gluing up down the longrain as woodworks picture above. Then I crosscut pieces to desired board thickness. Turn on edge again and then glue up again. Its remarkably easy to make an end grain board like this with this method.

[NI Tree]

butchers blocks are not glued but held to geather by water and 2 steel bars

through the midle