The NW Co.
The butcher block that carries your family's name.
This is a board you pick up and immediately understand. The wood is dense and warm. The finish, sanded far beyond the usual standard and treated with our handmade Board Cream, feels waxy and smooth in a way most boards never reach. The handles make sense the moment you use them. And across the end grain, engraved clean into the wood, is your family's name.
One person made this. It will outlast most of what's in your kitchen, and it was made to.
Personalize Your Block
Serif — Classic and traditional. Best for last names, family names, and formal occasions.
Script — Flowing and personal. Best for names with warmth, weddings, and anniversaries.
Monogram — A single ornate initial, framed. Enter your family name and we engrave from it. The most timeless of the three.
No Engraving — The same block, plain. The price is the same because the block is the product; the engraving is included, not extra.
Choose your style above, then enter your text in the engraving field, with an optional date line beneath. Engraving is included in the price you see.
Your block is engraved exactly as you type it. Please double-check spelling, names, and dates before ordering. What you enter is what we cut.
Choose Your Wood
Black Walnut — Rich, dark, and striking. The wood premium butcher block makers have used for over a century, dense enough for heavy chopping with enough give to protect knife edges. The first choice when the gift needs to make an impression. Current-batch walnut ships in 2 business days.
Hard Maple — Light, clean, and classic. The traditional American butcher block wood, at home in any kitchen and crisp under an engraving. Maple blocks ship in 2 business days.
Everything is included
The price you see is the whole price. Custom engraving is included. Shipping anywhere in the lower 48 is included. Your block arrives conditioned with our handmade Board Cream, packed with care, and ready to give.
Why End Grain Matters
Your knife goes between the wood fibers, not across them. The fibers close after each cut, so the surface heals rather than accumulates damage, and your blades stay sharper longer. It is not a marketing claim. It is what end-grain construction does, and it is why this is the construction used in professional butcher shops. It is also why end-grain blocks take three to five times longer to build than face-grain boards.
The Handles
Most cutting boards sit in one place. This one moves with you. The integrated side handles are functional, not decorative. They are how you carry a heavy block to the sink, drain it properly, and bring it to the table when you are carving. We put them on because that is how a block actually gets used. Most makers skip them because they require more material and more precise work.
The Finish
Before this block ships, it is sanded well past the usual standard, finer than most boards on the market, then finished with our handmade Board Cream. Mineral oil, vitamin E, and beeswax at a higher ratio than anything commercial. Pick it up and you will feel the difference.
What people give this block for
Weddings and anniversaries. The fifth anniversary especially, because the traditional fifth-anniversary gift is wood, and few people know it until they receive this. Housewarmings and new homes. Retirement send-offs. Pastor appreciation and ministry milestones. Father's Day for the cook who already has everything except this. A personalized butcher block is the gift that gets used every day and handed down anyway.
Looking for a lighter piece at a friendlier price? The same three engraving styles are on our Personalized Maple & Walnut Cutting Board, an 11 x 14 face-grain board from $89 with engraving and shipping included.
Overview
- Solid American black walnut or hard maple, end-grain construction
- 16 x 12 x 1.5 inches with integrated side handles
- Custom laser engraving included: serif, script, monogram, or none
- Sanded long past the point most shops stop, finished with handmade Board Cream
- Arrives ready to give, with free shipping in the lower 48
- Walnut and maple both ship in 2 business days
- Hand-finished and engraved in Albany, Oregon
Care
- Hand wash with warm water and mild soap
- Dry immediately — never let it sit in water
- Apply Board Cream regularly to keep the wood conditioned and the engraving sharp
- Never put it in the dishwasher
Cared for properly, this block will look better at year five than it did on day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which wood should I choose for a gift?
If you want the block to make a visual statement, choose walnut. If you want the classic butcher block look that fits any kitchen, or you are working to a budget, choose maple. Both take the engraving beautifully.
How does engraving work?
Choose your engraving style, enter your name and optional date in the fields on this page, and add the block to your cart. Your block is engraved exactly as you enter it.
Can I order one without engraving?
Yes. Choose No Engraving and leave the engraving field blank. You get the same block, the same hand finish, and the same price, because the block is the product.
How long does it take?
Every block, walnut or maple, ships in 2 business days. If you have a specific deadline, note it at checkout and we will do everything we can to meet it.
Is this a good wedding or anniversary gift?
One of the best. Couples engrave their last name and wedding date, and the block lives on the counter for decades. For fifth anniversaries, wood is the traditional gift, which makes this the rare traditional gift someone actually wants.
Why end grain instead of face grain?
Knife blades slide between the wood fibers rather than cutting across them. The fibers close after each cut, hiding knife marks and protecting your blades. It is the construction professional butchers use because it lasts under work that destroys other boards.
Why is this priced above other cutting boards?
End-grain construction takes three to five times longer to build than face grain. The handles require additional material and precise work. The engraving, the hand finish, and shipping are all included in the price you see. The price reflects what this actually is.
Are these made in the USA?
Yes. Every block is hand-finished and engraved in Albany, Oregon, and treated with our handmade Board Cream before it ships.
What's your return policy on personalized orders?
Because each block is made to order, we cannot accept returns on personalized items, including blocks engraved with text exactly as it was entered at purchase. Please double-check your spelling and dates before ordering. If there is a defect or an error on our end, we will make it right, no questions asked.
Need something the engraving styles above do not cover? A photograph, a pet portrait, a company logo, a recipe in someone's own handwriting, or a phrase laid out your way. That is custom shop work. Send me the idea and I will tell you honestly whether it will engrave well, what it will cost, and how long it will take.
