Frequently Asked Questions

All our boards are crafted exclusively from FSC-certified hardwoods, ensuring sustainable forestry practices. We work with three premium timber species:

• Maple – Light, tight-grained, and exceptionally durable with a clean aesthetic
• Cherrywood – Warm, reddish tones that deepen beautifully with age
• Walnut – Rich, dark chocolate hues with striking grain patterns

Each piece of timber is carefully selected and responsibly sourced, combining outstanding quality with environmental stewardship.

Edge-Grain Boards are constructed with wood strips positioned on their long edge, creating beautiful linear grain patterns. These boards are:

• Lighter in weight and easier to handle daily
• More resistant to warping
• Lower maintenance with straightforward care requirements
• Ideal for slicing, dicing, and everyday food preparation

End-Grain Boards feature wood fibers standing upright, exposing the end of each piece. The knife blade slips between the fibers rather than cutting across them. These boards are:

• Exceptionally knife-friendly – preserving blade sharpness longer
• Self-healing – fibers naturally close after cutting
• More durable for heavy, professional use
• Heavier and require more frequent oiling
• Display stunning checkerboard or mosaic patterns

Both constructions are superb; the choice depends on your priorities – ease of maintenance or ultimate performance.

Yes, all Eirlys boards are fully reversible. Both surfaces are expertly finished and sealed to the same exacting standards, giving you twice the working surface and extending the life of your board considerably.

We recommend dedicating each side to different tasks – for example, one side for proteins and the other for vegetables and fruits. This practical approach helps minimize cross-contamination while maximizing your board's versatility. Simply flip, use, and clean as needed. When one side shows wear, rotate to the fresh surface and continue enjoying your board for years to come.

Yes! Research has consistently shown that wood cutting boards are inherently more sanitary than plastic alternatives. Hardwood possesses natural antimicrobial properties that actively inhibit bacterial growth, even after knife marks and cuts appear on the surface.

End-grain boards offer particular advantages for food safety. The vertical grain structure resists deep gouges and heavy knife marks – the very places where bacteria can harbor and multiply on plastic boards. As plastic boards develop scarring and grooves over time, they become increasingly difficult to sanitize properly. Wood, by contrast, maintains its antibacterial properties throughout its lifetime.

Additionally, properly maintained wooden boards don't require harsh chemical sanitizers. Regular cleaning with warm water and mild soap, combined with the wood's natural defenses, provides excellent food safety for home and professional kitchens alike.

We receive many questions about adhesives, and rightly so – it's one of the most critical components of a quality cutting board. For cutting boards that will endure moisture, heat, and daily use, the adhesive must meet three essential criteria: waterproof, exceptionally durable, and completely food-safe.

At Eirlys Studio, we use only FDA-approved, food-safe adhesive that meets the highest standards for waterproof bonding. While this pharmaceutical-grade glue costs significantly more than alternatives, we never compromise on this crucial element. Unfortunately, adhesive is often where manufacturers cut corners to reduce costs.

Some large manufacturers use industrial adhesives originally developed for skateboards or furniture – products never intended for food contact. Worse still, certain overseas producers employ adhesives containing formaldehyde or other harmful chemicals. These cheaper options may hold the wood together initially, but they can delaminate over time and potentially leach substances into your food.

Every Eirlys board is bonded with premium, certified food-safe adhesive throughout – no exceptions. It's an invisible detail, but one that ensures your board remains safe, solid, and reliable for decades of daily use.

Every Eirlys board is handcrafted in our dedicated workshop in Ferndale, South Wales. Located in the heart of the Rhondda Valley, our 2,500 square foot facility houses over 38 years of accumulated woodworking expertise, traditional machinery, and modern precision equipment.

We deliberately keep production local, allowing us to maintain rigorous quality control at every stage – from timber selection and milling through assembly, finishing, and final inspection. Each board passes through the hands of our skilled craftspeople multiple times during its creation, ensuring the exceptional standards Eirlys is known for.

Only after a board passes our comprehensive quality inspection does it receive the Eirlys stamp – our mark of approval and guarantee of craftsmanship. This final stamp signifies that the board meets our exacting standards and is ready to serve you for decades to come.

By making everything in Wales, we support local employment, reduce our carbon footprint, and can personally guarantee the craftsmanship and materials in every single board that leaves our workshop. When you purchase from Eirlys, you're not just buying a cutting board – you're investing in Welsh manufacturing heritage and sustainable, ethical production practices.

Yes, absolutely. All our boards are finished with food-safe mineral oil and beeswax blend, which protects the wood while being completely safe for food preparation. We never use varnishes or synthetic sealants that could contaminate food.

Because we work with natural wood, every board is unique. Grain patterns, color variations, and natural characteristics will differ from piece to piece. This is part of the beauty of handcrafted wooden boards – yours will be truly one-of-a-kind. However, the overall design, dimensions, and quality will match what you see in our product images.

UK Standard Delivery: 3-5 working days (free over £100)

UK Express Delivery: 1-2 working days

International: 7-14 working days depending on destination

Custom or engraved orders typically require an additional 5-7 working days for production before shipping.

Yes, we ship worldwide. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on your location and order size. Please note that international orders may be subject to customs duties and import taxes, which are the responsibility of the customer.

Yes! Once your order ships, you'll receive a tracking number via email. You can use this to monitor your delivery in real-time. If you have any issues tracking your order, please contact our customer support team.

We offer a 30-day return policy on unused boards in original condition. Due to the handcrafted nature of our products, custom engraved or bespoke boards cannot be returned unless faulty. Please see our full Returns Policy for details.

After each use, wash your board with warm water and mild dish soap. Use a sponge or brush to remove food particles. Rinse thoroughly and dry immediately with a clean towel – never leave it to air dry or submerge in water. Stand it upright to allow air circulation on both sides.

Never put your board in the dishwasher, as high heat and moisture will cause warping and cracking.

For optimal performance and longevity:

• New boards: Oil once a week for the first month
• Regular maintenance: Oil monthly or when the wood looks dry
• Heavy use: Oil every 2-3 weeks

Use food-safe mineral oil or our specially formulated Eirlys Board Conditioner (mineral oil + beeswax blend). Apply generously, let it soak in for 4-6 hours or overnight, then wipe off excess.

Yes, this is completely normal and a sign your board is doing its job! Knife marks are evidence of proper use. Light scratches can be reduced with regular oiling. For deeper grooves, you can lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper (220 grit), clean thoroughly, and re-oil.

End-grain boards naturally "self-heal" better than edge-grain boards, as the wood fibers close back up after cutting.

Yes, our boards are safe for all food types, including raw meat. Wood has natural antimicrobial properties that help prevent bacteria growth. However, we recommend having dedicated boards for different food types (one for meat, one for vegetables) to avoid cross-contamination. Always clean thoroughly after handling raw meat.

Absolutely! We offer precision engraving for names, dates, meaningful messages, or company logos. Personalization can be added during checkout on selected boards, with custom engraving typically adding 5-7 working days to production time.

For truly bespoke, one-of-a-kind commissions – whether unique dimensions, intricate custom designs, or special wood combinations – please contact us directly. We'll work closely with you to bring your vision to life, creating an heirloom piece tailored precisely to your specifications.

Yes! We love creating custom pieces. Whether you need a specific size, unique design pattern, or want to incorporate multiple wood types, we're happy to discuss your vision. Bespoke orders start at £400 and require a 50% deposit. Contact us to begin your commission.

Yes! We work with businesses for corporate gifts, client appreciation, and employee recognition. Bulk orders of 10+ boards receive special pricing, and we can incorporate your company logo or branding. Visit our Trade page or email us at support@eirlysstudio.com for a quote.