Thread: Is Huon Pine suitable for Cutting Boards?

Hi Peter,

Same age as you, but have been around here a wee bit longer. Not sure about whether Huon would be OK for cutting boards but don't see why not with one or two provisos. It is fairly soft and gluing it with something like Jarrah seems odd, a really hard timber itself. I've made boxes and lids out of Huon and find i have to be really careful not to dent it.

But, give it a go - that's my motto these days, make one, see what happens.

One extra tip, I've found I'm super allergic to the sanding dust of Huon, both skin and nasal passages, be careful with it on that count.

In my opinion Huon Pine is too soft for cutting boards

If you want white and dark, many use northern silver ash and jarrah, though purple heart may be good, don't know how long it holds its colour when wet
Greg

As you are in the West [welcome to the forum first ] , maybe use Jarrah and WA Blackbutt.

IMHO huon is a bit to valuable for cutting boards and in any event a bit too soft

I've used jarrah and tassie oak and the contrast is pretty good

I have to agree with sawdust maker, its to way to valuable to use as a cutting board, plus it is really soft, i can't see it lasting.

I love the smell of Huon pine, it really is a beautiful timber and priced to match.

Houn Pine makes great chopping boards. I have one and I love it.

I've made a couple of boards in HP. I prefer a softer cutting board to preserve the life of the edges on my knives. I think it works great.

Out in the West. Jarrah and Blackbutt


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Huon Pine in Tasmania where it grows is now regarded as far too precious to use for anything like a cutting board. Fine furniture, yes. Nick-nacks, yes. Ornamental goblets, plaques, boxes for treasures, all yes.

But anything subject to wear and tear, a definite no.

Left intact, it will last almost indefinitely - hundreds of years at least. After all, it takes up to 400 years to grow to maturity.

If you want a pine, try radiata, macrocarpa, celery top. The CTP while a pine is actually a hardwood. But it can open on the ends.

Best bet to match the W.A. timber is Tassie Oak. A hardwood. A generic name that covers all the different species of gum trees that grow in Tasmania.
It has that many variations in colour and grain effect it would contrast with anything else. It goes from almost white to deep red, to brown, almost black (heavy black stripes amid a golden field), or even with a yellow or a light green tinge. Its density can be very light and fairly soft, to fairly heavy and hard. But the weight and hardness do not necessarily go together. So you can have some fun selecting.

Good luck.

excellent post. I failed to mention that my HP chopping board is made from offcuts.

Hi Peter

As tarwood says, Huon Pine is now considered toovaluable for cutting boards. Nevertheless, probably a majority of cutting boards actually in daily use in Tas are Huon Pine, followed by celery top and HMWP. A popular choice mixes Huon Pine and Blackwood.


Cheers

Graeme

I've used a Huon Pine chopping board for over 10 years and don't find it too soft, definitely saves wear and tear on knife edges (bonus for me because although I can get a good edge on planes and chisels I can't come close with knife edges)

A piece of Kauri makes a very nice chopping board if you are after a knife-kind timber.
Save the Huon for something a little less sacrificial.