06/02/2026
You may notice these boards are wet. This step is called water popping—lightly wetting the surface to raise any wood fibers that may still be laying down after sanding.
Have you ever washed a wooden cutting board and noticed it felt just a little fuzzy afterward? That’s exactly what this process helps minimize.
Once the surface dries, I’ll give it a very light sanding with 220-grit sandpaper, following the grain, to remove those raised fibers before applying the finish. It’s a small extra step that helps keep the board feeling smooth through its first uses and washings.
The final finish is a wood butter I blended myself after a lot of experimenting. I tested multiple oils, waxes, and different ratios before settling on the blend I was looking for. The goal wasn’t just to make the board look good on day one, but to create a finish that enhances the wood’s natural beauty, provides lasting protection, and is easy to maintain over time.
It’s these little details—most of which never get seen—that go into every board that leaves my shop.
