My New Favorite Cutting Board Finish

There are a ton of finishing options for cutting boards at a variety of price points, application methods, and all with varying levels of durability. Which is best? Watch to find out!

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[dennymiser]

I’ve tried Odies, mineral oil, walrus oil, tung oil, and linseed oil on my boards. They all have positives and negatives. I’ve notice that the grain pops on walnut after a few days with mineral oil and walrus oil. I like odies dark, linseed oil, and tung oil on maple. The really penetrating oils can mask some of the character on dark walnut. I prefer something with a oil/wax combo for walnut. Just in case any cares!

[robohippy]

Oh, another word on walnut oil and rags. I, being some one who has to experiment, tried to get my walnut oil soaked rags to spontaneously combust. It never worked, until one day in mid summer, I had left some out to dry on a black plastic garbage bag that was full of shavings. It was also on the south side of the shop so it got excellent sun exposure. It did start to smolder. So I would say that as long as rags are spread out flat, on concrete or gravel, it is pretty much impossible for the walnut oil soaked rags to combust. This is because of the very slow oxidation/curing rate of the walnut oil. It takes a week or so for the oil to cure, and sunlight and heat help speed up the process.

[cahoonm]

Thank you for taking time to do this video. It is lot of work and your time is valuable. You have helped me and i thank you!

[PureBloodWNC]

Thank you for a proper instructional and very informative video. Very helpful.

[michaelkokinos]

FYI anyone who wants to use mineral oil, go to a pharmacy or drug section of a store and you can get it sold as a laxative for cheap. It’s about the the same price per mL as a getting a bulk gallon, but they sell it in small containers so you don’t need to buy a decades worth at a time

[ronboudreau]

Bought Odie's oil and liked the ease but was taken back by the fact that it takes 3 weeks to cure otherwise water spots appear. great video, thank you.

[parzdiver]

Thanks for the video. I am making some boards now and bought Howards for the finish. Might have to get some Odies when that runs out.

[MartinPinedaabcd]

The best and at the same time most cost effective oil I have tested is refractionated coconut oil. Just remember, it has to be refractionated

[johnclarke]

I use Flax oil. It is food safe. I use it all the time on my Blackstone griddles. It polymerizes, so it is a good drying finish. I can get a nice sized bottle from Walmart for about $9 and change. Since it is basically a linseed oil it will provide a good water resistant finish to wood. The only downside to any linseed oil finish is to burn the rags you use to put them on because they can spontaneous combust. I burn my rags that I use to put in seed oil on my axe handles and gun stocks after use. I don’t know the exact chemical difference between flax oil and linseed oil but I treat them the same, since they are made from the same thing - flax.

[JkCanvas]

I started with Mineral Oil, then moved to Howards an now use Mahoney's Walnut oil because my buddy recommended it and love it. Thank you for making this video.

[earlkarow]

Thanks for the info . I just made my first board and used mineral oil and it looks great. I'll try the walnut next, I like the look.

[rogdotcom]

hi there, awesome video with great info. What about serving board finish, as opposed to a cutting board a serving board would be to put food, ie cheeses cured meats, veggies etc. I am struggling with finding a finish, these foods have oil that leave marks on the types of finish you have on your video. Would this be a time to use polyurethanes since you would never use a knife on the board anyways. I would be interested in your view. Appreciate your time, thanks.

[derekdodson]

Thanks, Caleb. I'm currently doing a mineral oil bath, then applying Howards, and finishing off with a homebrew board butter of beeswax and mineral oil. Odie's has scared me off due to price. After this video, I need to reconsider. Thanks.

[keithjohnson]

I watch a lot of wood working and related videos but very rarely leave a comment. I like your video very much because it is direct, to the point and informative without a bunch of BS. Great video thank you very much. KJ

[calleeharris]

Good call showing the wear after being washed a few times.

[ncooty]

Thanks for the video and explanations. I'd have been interested to see you test (real) tung oil as well.

[MD-enzm]

Mineral oil won’t spontaneously combust. That’s only for drying/polymerizing oils like linseed and tung. Walnut oil probably can as well since it’s a drying oil.

[coryhewitt]

Excellent Explanation
Just built a project and experimented with Odies, and their stain and oil & butter, etc… what a learning curve.
Expensive one both in time AND materials. And too I believe that the kicker was the color aspect. The cure time for the “ stain” with 1 way of making the “ stain” requires like 24 hr dry time - I learned a lot and the customer support is pretty good! One aspect that was different for me was if the “color “ “ mix “ [stain] is NOT cured, the Oils will actually pull pigment from the wood!

Thank you for your review of the oils/ waxes-

I NOW plan to USE the Odies for its durability & ease of application!

I’ve also used a brand called walrus food safe oil and believe the clients remain happy, BUT it’s Probably NOT getting blasted with cleanin much!

Thoughts on Rubio?

Keep on going —-BTW noticed your magnet racks for chisels etc
“ same” same - with a small shop, with limited time to make racks & constant cleaning up in order to actually get some work done I’ve added many more magnet strips and removed space taker racks ! “ ya know .., great minds right…” haha-

Any excellent tips / designs for:
1]Mitre saw station & vacuum setup- my setup is lame

2] Should have NOT bought the contractor Sawstop as my dust collection is awful! Love the saw though
Any good tips in case you’ve addressed this weak aspect of this type of saw dust collection?

3] simple router / handheld jigs for straight edge ie templates/ and or in a router table easy setting location of said bit -


Thanks man

Cory

[thrhzpt]

great taste in finishes AND alternative rock

[erictollefson]

Great presentation, thank you.
Question. I like the idea of the Odie’s Oil, but the boards I have do have some cracks (through, top to bottom on edges), and I wouldn’t be able to get the paste down into the cracks. Suggestions? Thanks!