Butcher blocks are heavy-duty cutting boards made of hardwood. They are usually several inches thick so they can be sanded down to endure a smooth, clean surface for chopping and preparing meals.

Butcher blocks are made of either edge grain or end grain wood. Edge grain are made from horizontal strips of hardwood like maple glued together. End grain blocks are stronger because they are made of many vertical blocks of wood glued together. Because their grain is facing up rather than vertical, the block is much tougher.