Being an amateur hobbyist is fascinating as each individual journey (an overused and possibly cheesy word but one that fits well in this context) is different. Without formal learning or apprenticeship, we follow different paths, sometimes haphazardly, as the hobby grows and our skills increase. I had been woodworking for about three years when I made these cutting boards but had only just understood the benefits of zero clearance, which in retrospect feels rather fundamental. My skill set, almost entirely self-taught, can be surprisingly impressive at times but just as, or perhaps more often, I operate in ignorance of basic concepts. .
It was via zero clearance that I was able to rip thin strips at volume, which then allowed me to design and build cutting boards with more complexity. The maple and walnut board was featured in the brown and white gift set. For the cherry, purpleheart, and maple combination, I gave the cherry top billing. The figuring and deep color is almost overpowering but it’s subtly contrasted with ribbons of pink, which unfortunately are hard to see in the picture. The third is made of beli with peruvian walnut and maple accents. I decided not to gift this one as the beli, while striking in its appearance, did not sand well enough.
