Over the past year, we’ve seen a strong response to SteelCore. The idea of two cutting surfaces in one thin, stable board has quickly found a place in many kitchens.
As more people have used it, we’ve heard something consistent: different cooks want different looks, weights, and feels.
So we’re building a new option: SteelCore with Oregon Maple on the wood side.
For years, we’ve used burl wood from locally sourced Oregon Big Leaf Maple (aka Oregon Maple) for our knife handles. It’s a beautiful, durable hardwood that’s long been trusted in the kitchen. Bringing Oregon Maple into the SteelCore line felt like a natural next step.
This new version keeps everything that defines SteelCore: dual surface functionality, long-term stability, and a thin, easy-to-handle profile, while offering a lighter weight through modified steel structure and a brighter, more modern look with the maple.
The Oregon Maple SteelCore 18”x12” Cutting Board will be available for pre-order to newsletter subscribers starting April 21. Make sure you’re signed up here.
What Makes SteelCore Different?
SteelCore is our patent-pending construction that rethinks how a cutting board is built.
By embedding a steel layer inside the board, we’re able to reinforce the structure from within. This prevents the warping and movement that naturally happens with wood over time, without relying on extra thickness.
It also allows us to combine two distinct cutting surfaces in one board:
- A knife-friendly hardwood side
- A non-porous composite side for easy cleanup
The result is a board that stays flat, handles easily, and works across a wider range of kitchen tasks.
Maple Edge Grain: A Lighter Take on SteelCore
With the addition of Oregon Big Leaf Maple Edge Grain, SteelCore will come in two distinct expressions:
Walnut End Grain SteelCore
- Deep, rich color and heirloom appearance
- End grain construction for a traditional, premium aesthetic
- Heavier, more substantial feel during use
- Ideal for those who want a statement piece with maximum presence
Oregon Maple Edge Grain SteelCore
- Bright, clean look
- Edge grain construction for a modern, simple aesthetic
- Approximately 20% lighter through a modified steel configuration
- Ideal for everyday use and easier handling
Both share the same SteelCore construction and the same nonporous recycled paper composite on the reverse side. The difference comes down to how you want your board to look and feel in your kitchen.
Choosing Between the Walnut and Maple Versions
Since the embedded steel reinforcement and the second side of recycled paper composite are the same, the choice between the two board types comes down to a few key preferences:
Choose Walnut if you want:
- A more formal, heirloom-quality look
- A heavier board that stays firmly anchored during prep
- A softer feel while cutting
Choose Maple if you want:
- A brighter, more modern aesthetic
- A lighter board that’s easier to move and clean
- A daily driver that balances performance with convenience
Some will find that having both creates the ideal setup: Walnut for presentation and heavier prep, Maple for everyday cooking.
Edge Grain vs. End Grain: What’s the Difference?
Beyond the simple wood types, there’s also a difference in how the wood is constructed.
End Grain:
- Fibers are oriented vertically, creating a classic checkerboard look
- Traditionally prized, premium appearance and feel
- A softer cutting surface as fibers separate and recover with less markup
Edge Grain:
- Fibers run horizontally, creating a clean, linear look
- Lighter weight with fewer seams
- A smooth, consistent cutting surface
With SteelCore, both constructions benefit from internal reinforcement and the second recycled paper composite. This means you don’t have to choose between beauty and long-term performance.
What is the Nonporous Recycled Paper Composite Side?
The composite side of the SteelCore is a high-performance surface made from recycled paper and food-safe resin. These materials are made and pressed in large sizes close to Portland in the Pacific NW. They take hundreds of sheets of paper, soak them in resin, and compress them under high heat. The result is a material that feels dense and smooth while still soft for use with knives.
In practice, this is your "utility" side. It’s completely non-porous, meaning it won’t soak up liquid from raw protein or the lingering smell of a pile of chopped onions. Since it’s so dense, it won’t stain or have pieces come off like plastic boards. We have milled a juice groove around all sides on this side to catch any fluids running off. It is naturally heat-resistant up to 350°F, so safe around warmer pans too. It doesn't have the warm aesthetic or the "healing" of the wood side, where the blade slips between grains
A System, Not Just a Board
SteelCore was never meant to be just another cutting board.
It’s a different approach. One that brings together structure, materials, and real kitchen use into a single tool.
By offering both Walnut End Grain and Oregon Maple Edge Grain, we now offer the option to choose the experience that fits your kitchen, your habits, and your style. Some will choose Walnut for its presence. Others will choose Maple for its versatility. Many will choose both to cover the broader usage they have.
As a gift, these offer another opportunity to share unique kitchen tools with loved ones who deserve acknowledgment of their passion for cooking.
Our goal is to deliver a solution that, once you experience the stability, feel, and confidence of SteelCore, it becomes something you don’t want to cook without.
The Bottom Line
SteelCore offers something fundamentally different: a thin cutting board that stays flat, handles easily, and gives you two functional surfaces in one.
Soon, with two distinct expressions of Walnut and Maple, you have another way to make it your own.
Explore the full SteelCore™ Collection and find the one that fits your kitchen.
FAQ
What is SteelCore™, and how is it different from a traditional cutting board?
SteelCore™ is our patent-pending construction that integrates a steel layer between two functional surfaces: hardwood and nonporous composite.
It creates a dual-surface board that stays flatter over time, feels stable during use, and maintains an ultra-thin, easy-to-handle profile.
What’s the difference between the End Grain and Edge Grain SteelCore boards?
End grain in Walnut: classic checkerboard look, heavier, shows fewer cut marks
Edge grain in Maple: clean, bright color look, lighter, smoother feel/look
Both are reinforced internally with embedded steel and paired with a nonporous recycled paper surface on the other side, offering the same core performance.
How do I choose between Walnut and Maple SteelCore™ boards?
Choose Walnut for a heavier, more anchored board with a rich, heirloom look.
Choose Maple for a lighter, more agile board with a bright, modern feel.
Same performance for different experiences.
Why is the Edge-grain Maple SteelCore lighter than the End-grain Walnut version?
Our edge-grain maple boards are about 20% lighter due to both a modified internal steel configuration and the wood construction. It’s designed for easier handling for those who are more comfortable with lighter boards.
Will the steel core damage my knives?
No. The steel is embedded. Your knife only contacts the wood and composite surfaces, not the internal steel.
SteelCore uses a hidden steel structure between the two surfaces. This is similar to steel rebar in concrete structures. This construction improves stability, especially in our exceptionally thin boards, while maintaining the best cutting surface for your knife.
How do I care for a SteelCore board?
The composite surface is nonporous and easy to clean. The wood side requires the same care as any other wood board. Wash, dry thoroughly, and apply treatment (like our Hemp-Based Board Conditioner) to the wood occasionally if you see the surface looking dry. Do not put it in the dishwasher. The SteelCore construction helps resist warping and keeps the board performing over time.
See "How to Care For a Wood Cutting Board" for more information.
Why choose SteelCore over a traditional wood board?
Traditional boards rely on wood strength and thickness (at least 1.5”-2”) for stability, but can still move and split over time. SteelCore achieves that stability internally with an embedded steel construct, allowing for a total thickness of 0.75”.
This construction also allows, for the first time, a second, completely different surface of nonporous recycled-paper composite. This delivers better performance in a thinner form and adds a whole new functional surface.