In article >,
"Bob (this one)" > wrote:


--snippage--

> > * Use a good steel scraper or spatula often when using the board.
> > Scraping removes 75% of the moisture that builds up on a wooden
> > cutting board. An occasional sanding will return a wooden board to a
> > smooth luster. But never scrub a wooden board with a steel brush (a
> > steel brush will ruff up the finish and should be avoided).
>
> That scraping business will tear up the grain on flat side-grain
> boards and any made from soft woods.

No, it won't. Woodworkers have known for centuries that using a scraper
will produce a *smoother* finish than sanding, especially on hardwood.

I regularly scrape my rock maple cutting board with the *back* edge of
my chef's knife, especially after the board's gotten wet. You'd be
amazed at the amount of greasy "gunk" that shows up on the knife. And
the board is *smooth* and much lighter in color, too.

I do the same thing with my plastic cutting sheets, too. The amount of
gunk is even more amazing, considering that I clean those with hot soapy
water and a green "scrubber".

I have heard that professional butchers scrape their carving blocks.

Isaac