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If you own a set of decent knives, you need the proper surface to use your knives on. You cannot cut directly on most countertop surfaces and there are some cutting boards out there that can be really hard on your knife sets. What gives?
Thankfully, there are cutting boards out there that are designed to withstand plenty of cutting use and not tear up or dull your knives in the process. You just need to know what to look for before you make a purchase.
What is the best cutting board for knives? Wood is one of the best materials for almost all knives as far as how they may affect your knife maintenance. Other materials can also be good.Our favorite is the Royal craft wood store bamboo cutting board.
In this guide, we will share with you the 7 best cutting boards for knives. There are several really great options out there.
We will also give you a brief overview of what you should know about the different materials and how they relate to knife maintenance and durability.
Keep reading to learn the best cutting boards for knives and more!
Buyer’s Guide to the Best Cutting Board for Knives
First, let’s talk about what makes a cutting board a good option to protect your knives from heavy maintenance requirements.
Certain materials are friendlier on all knives and then there are certain knife materials that are most compatible with certain surfaces.
Plastic and hardwoods tend to be your best bet all around. They are good cutting surfaces and fair on almost all knife materials.
We have a few helpful tips for helping you choose your new cutting board for your knives.
Materials
There are two materials to consider. The material of your knives and the material of the cutting board.
Here’s what we know: Wood tends to be the best option for almost every type of blade material, particularly rigid, carbon steel, and stainless steel.Although hardwood is generally ideal, even softer woods like bamboo can do a great job.
The next best option is plastic. This is best if it is made with HDPE-plastic materials. Composite materials are also typically fair.
What we’ve found is that you really want to avoid rigid cutting board materials like glass or marble if you want to take care of your knife.
While glass and marble might be really pretty on your countertop, these are very hard on your knife blades and will most likely lead to additional maintenance and sharpening requirements for your blade.
Size
You will want to consider the size of your cutting boards for knives. You want to be sure that you choose a size that is suitable for your needs or that you go with a pack that gives you multiple sizes.
We recommend a large size if you plan to use this as your primary cutting board and want it to be versatile enough for just about any cutting needs. If you’re worried about storage space, you can always size down.
Just be sure to purchase a size that will be large enough for your needs so that you aren’t disappointed in the size when you receive your cutting board and set out to use it.
Features
There are a few miscellaneous features that you may want to be aware of:
- Non-slip
- Grooves
- Handle or hook
- Serving tray
These are just a few of the things, though. We recommend that you get something that isn’t going to slip and slide while you’re using it.
You will notice that many of the wood cutting boards do not have rubber grips but are naturally anti-slip materials. Pay attention to those details for wood options.
Most plastic and other materials will have rubber grips or non-slip feet on them. This is a safety measure so you don’t have to worry about your surface slipping and sliding while you’re cutting and chopping.
Grooves are not required but they can come in quite handy for reducing mess, particularly when slicing juicy items. A handle or hook is also not required but something you may want or need for storage and use.
Finally, if you want your board to be able to act as a serving tray as well, just be sure that you are happy with the style and design for those purposes.
Some boards are dual-sided specifically for this purpose while others are made to be nice when used for serving or cutting.Wood is a pretty safe, versatile option as most people find it pleasing.
The 7 Best Cutting Boards for Knives Reviewed
After some research, we’ve found our seven favorite cutting boards to take care of your knives:
| Rank | Product | Material |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Royal Craft Wood Bamboo Cutting Board | Bamboo |
| 2. | Oxo Good Grips Utility Cutting Board | Plastic |
| 3. | Aidea Acacia Wood Cutting Board | Acacia wood |
| 4. | Epicurian Kitchen Series Cutting Board | Paper composite |
| 5. | San Jamar Co-Polymer Cutting Board | Co-polymer |
| 6. | EatNeat Cutting Board + Knife Set | BPA-free plastic |
| 7. | Greener Chef XL Bamboo Cutting Board | Bamboo |
In these reviews, you will find a detailed overview of each one of our top picks. We will also provide you with a list of pros and cons in an effort to provide you with the perfect amount of information for you to make an educated selection.
Let’s get started!
1. Royal Craft Wood Organic Bamboo Cutting Board
These heavy-duty cutting boards are made of bamboo. Bamboo is classified as a hardwood material, which is one of the best surfaces to maintain most knife blade materials reasonably well. It’s good for chopping and tends to have a decent board life.
This comes in a set of 3 cutting boards with different sizes in the package. Each tray has a divot in it to seal the edges and keep the contents on the board or catch juices.
Each board is also designed to be used as a cutting board with non-slip bottoms and handle cutouts.
The smooth bamboo surface is ideal for just about any type of knife. Your knives will also be gentle on the board and won’t leave cuts, grooves, and scratches behind.
Additionally, the bamboo used in these cutting boards is organic and fully natural. There is nothing added. Bamboo is known for its ability to fight against bacteria and absorb liquids.
Pros:
- Hardwood that is gentle on knives
- Bamboo is organic with no added chemicals
- Side handle grooves for easy use of the board
- Includes ridges to reduce mess
- 3-pack of quality cutting boards
Cons:
- Board may be at risk of splintering or cracking more easily than harder materials.
2. Oxo Good Grips Utility Cutting Board
This cutting board from Oxo makes a really good runner-up on our list. Plastic and composite cutting boards that are made with non-porous materials are the next best thing to wood cutting boards when it comes to being maintenance-friendly for your knives.
This is a large utility cutting board and it’s reasonably priced. It is double-sided so you can use whichever size you want or prefer. The non-porous surface is gentle on knife blades of all materials.
The edges are soft and comfortable with a grip for carrying purposes.The grips also will help hold the cutting board in place while you use it so you don’t have to worry about any slipping or sliding.
This cutting board also has grooved edges so you don’t have to worry about a mess when you’re trying to get things done.
Pros:
- Comfort grip sides that don’t slip
- Grooved edges for no mess
- Gentle on all knife materials
- Dual-sided cutting board
- Durable and dishwasher-safe materials
Cons:
- Your board may get scratches and grooves from cutting as part of the wear on the board.
3. Aidea Acacia Wood Cutting Board
This is a budget-friendly wood cutting board that is very nice and will certainly deliver quality cutting results. It is made with acacia, which is a hard and durable wood that will not dull your knife blades and yet will last against heavy cutting use.
This is the large board but you can purchase it in multiple sizes, you can also purchase it in a 3-piece set if you want a variety of sizes. It has a handle, which makes it especially easy to carry and clean. The handle also gives you the means to hang the cutting board for storage if needed.
The wood is designed to be anti-slip for your safety while cutting. The hard durability of the wood reduces the likelihood of splintering and cracking possibilities.
You can use this for a charcuterie board as well as a cutting board, thanks to its classic look and material. So it’s a versatile, as well as useful, choice.
Pros:
- Handcrafted natural acacia wood
- Gentle on knife blades
- Durable and sturdy
- A very good size option
- Versatile for a serving tray as well
Cons:
- The wood feels fairly soft considering it is a hardwood.
- Chopping could mark up the board easily.
4. Epicurian Kitchen Series Cutting Board
This cutting board measures 14.5 x 11.25 inches. It comes in 3 color options that are designed to accent any countertop. These are gorgeous by design but they are also safe for your knife blade and make a reliable cutting surface as well.
These cutting boards are thin and lightweight. They are made with a paper composite material that is non-porous so it won’t harbor any odors or bacteria. The cutting board is easy to use and maintain and has a hole in it for hanging purposes as well.
There are 4 different size options to choose from. These boards are durable and NSF certified so that they can be used in commercial kitchens as well.
They are dishwasher safe and temperature resistant up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. The company has a lifetime warranty on these beauties.
Pros:
- Lifetime warranty included
- Thin and lightweight
- Available in multiple sizes and colors
- NSF certified for commercial use
- Dishwasher safe and heat resistant up to 350 degrees
Cons:
- May warp in the dishwasher.
- No anti-slip materials so may need to be careful of the foundation while using.
5. San Jamar CBG912 T-Zone Co-Polymer Cutting Board
This is a budget-friendly option that is considered to be fair when it comes to knife maintenance and use. It is well-designed and will be knife-friendly as well as user-friendly.
This cutting board has anti-slip corners for your safety. It has a hook so you can hang it securely and have safe food transport.
This particular board is purple but this brand does offer other colors. This is a highly-rated option, considering the price. This board really has it all. It even has a ruler integrated into the design so that you can cut evenly and proportionately.
This cutting board is made with co-polymer materials that are durable and fair for knives.
It should not dull your knives too quickly and is dishwasher-safe even in super-high temperatures.It’s a fair choice.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly option
- Uniquely designed and fun colors
- Anti-slip grip on corners
- Heat resistant and dishwasher-safe
- Includes rules markings on the board
Cons:
- Smaller than average cutting board sizes
6. EatNeat Cutting Board + Knife Set
This is a unique set that includes a cutting board as well as a knife set and a sharpener. Don’t worry, the sharpener is not there because the cutting board dulls your knives quickly; it’s simply a nice addition to the set.
This cutting board is made of plastic, which tends to work well for most knife blades.It has a nice carrying handle that you can also use to hang up the cutting board for storage.
The board comes with green rubber ends for anti-slip and carrying purposes. It has a ridged edge to help reduce any mess from juices and debris.
The knives are all fun, bright colors so you can brighten up any atmosphere. This is a good, large cutting board so you have plenty of space.
The surface is stain-resistant and will not dull your knives quickly but you do have that sharpener if you need it one day!
Pros:
- Comes with knife and sharpener set
- Includes rubber grips for comfort and anti-slip
- Durable materials that won’t dull your knife
- Odor and stain resistant
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The knives included are not very sharp upon arrival and may require sharpening.
7. Greener Chef Extra-Large Bamboo Cutting Board
Finally on our list is another bamboo cutting board that is nicely made. This is a duo-colored board made with organic bamboo materials.
It is large, measuring 18 x 12.5 inches. It’s perfect for slicing, cutting, and chopping and it is one of the better materials for protecting your knife blades.
This board offers a lifetime replacement warranty and the bamboo does not have any added stains, dyes, plastics, chemicals, or resins. The grain is tightly woven so you don’t have to worry about cracks or splitting.
It’s eco-friendly and reliable all in one.
This antimicrobial surface ensures that you are always chopping on a clean board. There are drip grooves to help control mess.
This board will not dull your knives. It is also double-sided so you can use it for cutting or serving. It’s easily one of the most versatile and reliable options out there.
Pros:
- Organic bamboo materials, no chemicals
- Will not dull your knives
- Can be a cutting board or serving tray
- Doesn’t crack or splinter easily
- Includes a lifetime replacement warranty
Cons:
- You may need to oil the board to avoid splinters.
Related Questions
We hope that you find this guide to the 7 best cutting boards for knives to be an intuitive resource for potentially finding your next cutting board! There are a lot of great options out there if you know what to look for.
We encourage you to review our question and answer section for some additional details.
Is Plastic or Wood Better?
In terms of which is more gentle on your knife blades, wood tends to be a better choice. However, plastic is typically a decent choice as well.
Plastic is often easier to clean and sanitize than wood materials. It’s primarily a matter of preference.
What Wood is Not a Good Material for Cutting Boards?
What you most want to watch for with wood cutting boards is whether or not the wood is porous. Things like oak and ash are light in color and could potentially stain easily.
You also want a medium to hard wood rather than something super soft. Bamboo is one of the most common options.
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