Random Pattern Cutting Boards

Using a Well-Defined Process for a One-of-a-Kind Result

Neal and I both have a background in computer science.   There is a story arc from there to here: form and function.  Computer programs essentially organize data.  A lot of thoughtful design goes into a good program to make sure that it not only does the job efficiently and accurately, but that the human interfaces (data entry or presentation) are appealing to the user.  A computer program is generally a collection of algorithms (a precise rule set) and human interfaces.  One algorithm that always fascinated me was the random number generator.  The idea that you have a precise rule set to generate a random result is a bit of a paradox.

The same principle is behind Neal’s random-pattern cutting boards.  He has a precise process for creating the boards:  he starts with clean, straight stock and cuts that into strips of varying width.  The strips are glued together then cut cross-ways to create strips of varying woods.  These strips are planed to straight then glued together again in the opposite direction.  The process is repeated: glue, cut, plane, glue, cut, plane as many times as necessary until you like result.  Then, the board is cut to size, sanded and finished with a blend of beeswax and food grade mineral oil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like the random number generating algorithm, a simple, precise rule set builds a one-of-a-kind product.  And, like a good computer program, the result is a beautiful as it is functional. They are one of my favorite kitchen tools.   I use one every morning to deliver chopped greens to my pampered house chicken.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would like to point out that the dancing unicorn princess visiting Neal’s workshop was being supervised off camera.    No dancing unicorn princesses were harmed in the making of these cutting boards.