The essential sidekick—compact enough for quick prep, beautiful enough to serve from.

The Story

Some moments don't call for the main stage. A lime quartered for drinks. Herbs gathered and roughly torn. A wedge of cheese and sliced apple laid out for one. The Companion board exists for these quieter rituals | the small cuts that punctuate daily life. But the real story begins with Eirlys | our founder's mother, who believed the small details in life deserved the most attention. That philosophy lives in every board we make.

The Craft

Twenty-one steps. Each board passes through processes refined over 38 years of traditional Welsh joinery | from selecting FSC-certified timber kiln-dried to the perfect UK humidity, to hand finishing and wet sanding that removes every standing fibre. The result is a surface so silky smooth you'll notice it the moment your hands meet the wood. Only when a board meets every quality standard is it heat-stamped with the Eirlys mark by hand.

Why End Grain?

End grain construction isn't just aesthetics | it's engineering. Vertical wood fibres create a self-healing surface that absorbs knife strikes rather than resisting them. Cut marks close naturally, your blades stay sharper longer, and the board develops character rather than damage.

Built to Last

At 3.5 cm thick and 1.1 kg, the Companion has the reassuring heft of something built properly. Compact but not flimsy. Pick it up and you'll understand immediately | this is what quality feels like, scaled for everyday moments.

Handcrafted in Wales

Each Companion board is made by hand at our workshop in Ferndale, in the heart of the Rhondda Valley. No two boards are identical | natural variations in grain pattern and tone make each piece genuinely unique.

Make It Yours

Prefer no stamp? Simply leave a note at the bottom of the cart drawer and we'll ensure your commission is made exactly as you want it.

Engraving | £19

Add a personal touch with custom engraving. Each engraving is CNC-machined for precision then hand-finished for depth | blending modern technology with traditional craft. We can engrave all characters (emojis not supported). Standard positioning is on the longer edge, opposite the Eirlys stamp. If you'd prefer a different placement, just add a note at the bottom of the cart drawer and we'll include it in your commission. Any questions? We'll reach out before starting production, or you can email support@eirlysstudio.com before placing your order.

Photos are for demonstration only. Your board will be unique due to natural variations in the wood grain.

Dimensions & Weight

Dimensions	30 × 25 × 3.5 cm
Weight	1.1 kg
Thickness	3.5 cm (Companion Series)

Materials & Construction

Timber	Canadian Maple
Grain Type	End Grain (self-healing)
Timber Certification	FSC® Certified
Glue	FDA-approved, food-safe
Finish	FDA-approved food-safe mineral oil
Construction	Handcrafted in Wales

Features

Edge Profile	Chamfered
Underside	Undercut for lifting
Series	Companion Collection

About Canadian Maple

Maple ranks among the hardest domestic timbers available, with a Janka hardness of 1,450 lbf | dense enough to resist deep scoring while remaining forgiving to knife edges. Its tight, closed grain naturally resists moisture absorption and bacterial growth, making it exceptionally hygienic for food preparation.

The pale, creamy colour of fresh maple will develop a warm honey patina over time | a natural deepening that reflects use and proper care. Each board will age uniquely, developing character that tells the story of meals prepared and moments shared.

A well-cared-for board becomes more beautiful with age. The patina that develops over years of use isn't wear | it's character, a record of meals prepared and moments shared.

Daily Care

After each use, wipe clean with a damp cloth and mild soap if needed. Dry immediately with a clean towel | never leave standing in water or place in the dishwasher. Stand upright to air dry completely before storing.

Monthly Maintenance

Oil monthly with food-safe mineral oil to maintain the wood's natural lustre and protect against moisture. For optimal protection, we recommend following with a board butter or beeswax blend if you don't have allergies | your board arrives treated with mineral oil only to ensure it's safe for everyone. Apply generously, allow to penetrate for 20 minutes, then wipe away excess. Your board will tell you when it needs oil | the surface will look dry or lighter in colour.

What to Avoid

Never soak your board or place in the dishwasher. Avoid leaving in direct sunlight or near heat sources. Don't use harsh detergents or bleach | warm water and mild soap is all you need. When drying, use one of our stands or stand the board on one edge to prevent water ingress | never leave it flat in pooled water.

Maple's Natural Character

Maple naturally deepens from pale cream to warm honey tones with age and regular oiling. This isn't discolouration | it's the wood developing its true patina. Embrace this evolution; it's part of what makes a well-used board beautiful.

With proper care, your Eirlys board will last decades and develop a beautiful patina that tells the story of every meal you've prepared.

Shop Stands & Care Accessories →
View Complete Care Guide →

Delivery

Built to last, not built fast. Each board is handcrafted through our 21-step process before being carefully packaged and shipped from our Ferndale workshop. All UK deliveries are dispatched via Royal Mail Express Tracked & Insured as soon as they're ready. We also ship internationally using trusted couriers with full tracking on every order.

Processing Time	3 weeks due to high demand (made to order)
UK Delivery	Free over £75 | otherwise £5.95
International	Calculated at checkout
Tracking	Full tracking on all orders

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Returns Process

Contact us within 30 days of delivery. We'll send a prepaid return label | no cost to you. Once received and inspected, refunds are processed within 5–7 business days to your original payment method.

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