Hanrahan Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 I am just getting started in woodworking, and have spent more time collecting tools than using them so far. So as a way to stick my toe in the water, as it were, I recently made a cutting board out of alternating strips of walnut and hard maple. Was using walnut on a cutting board a stupid? Do I have to worry about someone having an allergic reaction? Thanks for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
decibel Posted February 12, 2011 Report Share Posted February 12, 2011 I am just getting started in woodworking, and have spent more time collecting tools than using them so far. So as a way to stick my toe in the water, as it were, I recently made a cutting board out of alternating strips of walnut and hard maple. Was using walnut on a cutting board a stupid? Do I have to worry about someone having an allergic reaction? Thanks for any advice. Congrats on your first project. I consider myself more of a tool collector than a woodworker too . As far as the walnut and food toxicity most things I've read seem to say it's ok. Some people are "allergic" to walnut dust (like skin irritation etc.) but I'm sure you're talking more about the eat a nut and my throat closes up etc. Those reactions are due o the fruit and the unrefined oils. Hopefully somebody who knows more chimes in but for the most part you should be ok. You shouldn't have chunks of wood flying off the cutting board either. If you dig around the video put out by Marc on the woodwhisperer site there's some good comments that speak to wood allergies too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wlkbbrer Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I've made quite a few out of walnut and they're great. John Boos is probably one of the biggest makers of butcher blocks/cutting boards in the US and they make many in walnut so I wouldnt worry about it. Take a look at a few of these. http://www.johnboos.com/categories_for?cat_id=8863 Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayWC Posted February 17, 2011 Report Share Posted February 17, 2011 I think you have to worry more about the food prepared on the board than what the board is made of. With proper oiling of the board, there should be little contact between the food and the actual wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon003 Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 This is nothing to worry about. Just clean and oil your boards properly. (When I make them for friends and family, I include a bottle of oil with a card attached describing what to do.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaBear Posted February 18, 2011 Report Share Posted February 18, 2011 Jonathan, would you mind posting those instructions? (Or PM'ing them to me) I'd like to make some cutting boards but haven't found a real good set of care instructions so far.. Thanks, The Bear.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hanrahan Posted February 21, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2011 Thanks for the advice. I'm glad that after putting this thing together it can be put to its intended use. I plan on giving the board away, so the idea of including some oil and instructions about care is perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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