Here are the instructions for maintaining cutting boards and other types of tree art that I make.
As background information, I get most of the domestic wood species from tree cutters and lumber mills that process trees that were downed due to storm damage or have died. I purchase the exotic woods from local lumber dealers.
I use a tool called a “wood lathe” that spins the wood to make (turn) the bowls, pizza cutters, wine bottle stoppers, ice cream scoopers, and beer bottle openers. I use a table saw, planer, sander, and router to make the charcuterie boards.
Most charcuterie boards have multiple strips of wood glued together in the same direction. Mine are different. I start the construction by framing a prized piece of wood with boards of contrasting colors. I trim the newly attached pieces and continue the process to build the board with strips in opposite directions. I plane the board to make it level, sand it to make it smooth, use a router to round over the edges, and finish it with a food safe walnut oil and wax.
I use high quality stainless steel ice cream scoopers, beer bottle openers, wine bottle stoppers, and pizza cutters to ensure they will not rust. Chrome plated products will wear over time and rust.
Making bowls is a long process. I usually obtain the wood from trees that have died or suffered storm damage. Generally I turn these bowls twice. Initially, I shape the bowls to a 1" to 2" wall thicknesses to allow for movement during the drying process. I seal them with wax or paint and let them dry for a few years. When my moisture reader shows the bowls are relatively dry (10-15% moisture), I refine the shape and use walnut oil to polish and shine the bowl.
Please contact me with any questions you may have regarding your product. I offer a lifetime warranty on all of my products. If for some reason the wood strips in your charcuterie board separate, the bowl cracks, or your beer bottle opener breaks, send it back to me. I will repair it or send you a replacement, free of charge. Here is my email address to contract me to arrange for the shipment: Jerrysimps@aol.com. Also, please visit my website: Treeartjerrysimpson.com.
I want you to know how to clean and freshen your bowls, charcuterie boards, ice cream scoopers, beer bottle openers, pizza cutters, and wine bottle stoppers. I also want to tell you about the different species of wood I use to make the products.
Cleaning and preserving your charcuterie boards:
You can clean your boards in your sink using soap and water. Promptly dry the boards because wood can shrink, bend and expand if they remain soaked in water. (Do not put them in the dishwasher.)
I use "Doctor's Woodshop" food safe walnut oil and wax mixture to preserve and shine your board. This product is available on the internet, however, you could buy walnut oil from your grocery store to shine your boards too.
Safety Note: Some artisans use Mineral Oil to shine their boards, however, because this is a petroleum based product, I don’t recommend that you use it. Many "cutting board" oils also have petroleum derivatives in their products, so I don't recommend them. Many other fruit based products, such as olive oil, turn rancid over time, so I never use them as well.
If you cut fruits and vegetables on your board, you will probably see knife marks. If so, and you want to remove them, lightly use sandpaper to remove them and then apply the walnut oil to make them look new.
Care of the pizza cutters, wine bottle stoppers, ice cream scoopers, and beer bottle openers:
I make these products on my lathe and attach stainless steel implements to the wooden handles. After I shape handles, I sand and seal them with a shellac and wax mixture. You may clean these by washing them in your sink with soap and water. After time the finish might become dull, so you may use wax to shine them. The wooden part will not contact food, so you can use any type of finish to restore the wood. I use a detachable ice cream scooper and pizza cutter, which enables you to unscrew them from the handle and wash them separately.
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