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You’d be forgiven for thinking that buying a butchers block would be just about as easy as it gets. But you’d also be mistaken. That is, at least if you intend to pick up the very best butcher’s block you can lay your hands on.
It’s the classic case of buying right and buying once.
Contrary to popular belief, there really is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ butcher’s block to suit every environment and requirements across the board. If really looking to pick up the best block for your own needs, it’s worth getting out of the one-size-fits-all mindset altogether. Depending on where you work, how you work and the environment in which you work, what represents the very best butcher’s block for you could be entirely different to the best block for another buyer.
Material Choice
Make no mistake about it – the quality of the material used to manufacture the butcher’s block will make all the difference. The vast majority of high quality butcher’s blocks you come across will be made of maple, pecan, walnut, teak and cherry. Out of these, maple is – and by a considerable margin – the most popular of all materials in the manufacture of premium butcher’s blocks.
But it’s also worth bearing in mind that the quality of the material and the overall design/manufacturing standards of the butcher’s block will also make a difference. Most blocks are created by way of combining a series of strips of hardwood to create the final block. Nevertheless, the quality of these hardwood strips, their attachment to one another and the overall final surface finish can vary significantly from one manufacturer to the next.
Hence the importance of not simply taking it for granted when comparing two entirely different butcher’s blocks manufactured from the same basic materials.
Professional Grade
Why is there such a difference between generic and professional butcher’s blocks in terms of price? The short answer – those in the latter category are designed to go the distance. From the atmospheric conditions of a professional environment to heavy duty use on an on-going basis to the kind of punishment only professional blocks are expected to endure, it’s unrealistic to expect a bargain-basement block to perform to the necessary standard. As such, if working in a professional environment, you absolutely must go with a professional block.
Custom Designs
Last but not least, if you really want to take home the very best block on the market to suit your needs and go the distance, it’s always worth considering custom options. Rather than selecting from the generic blocks already up for grabs, why not have an experienced manufacturer create a bespoke chopping block in direct accordance with both your requirements and your budget? Contrary to popular belief, having a custom block designed and created on your behalf doesn’t have to mean overspending. In fact, it could even save you money having a premium product designed and manufactured to suit your needs – whatever they may be.
This article was brought to you courtesy of the team at Row & Sons.
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