Chopping block = laminated maple
Cutting board = walnut, maple, cherry, maple, walnut....in that order.
Have Fun,
Lumberjack

"rj" wrote in message
news:9huxc.18425$4S5.18170@attbi_s52...
Oak is "ring-porous" absorbs a lot, maple is consistently dense.
Apple or Pear wood works well too.

RayJ

"D. J. Dorn" wrote in message
...
I know that Maple is the preferred wood but why? I have an abundance of
Oak, is there any reason that I can't use that. For finishing, I
realize
that Mineral Sprits is the only proper finish as it's meant to come in
contact with food, but I don't want to use Maple unless I have to.

Don