Totally Bamboo Butcher Block

This is the best choping block I've ever owned. Notice I didn't call this a board, as the brawny thickness of this product with the substantial feet(with rubber bottoms to prevent slipping) brings this up quite a few notches from mere ordinary cutting boards. This is a chopping block to end all chopping blocks. I can only compare this to butcherblock, but made from Green, eco friendly, self renewable bamboo. You're doing the environment a favor by going with bamboo over synthetic boards/mats, and even over traditional wood such as red maple. I love red maple, don't get me wrong. Aside from the green advantages, bamboo is 16% stronger than Red Maple. Its not going to dull your knives significantly faster, at least nowhere near the extent of the fools who cut on glass or marble as a cutting board. I still can't believe some people preach using infinately harder surfaces like marble to cut on. Sure its a snap to clean up, but you're going to be cutting with a popsicle stick after all the sharpening sessions you're going to have to perform on your knives. This block has a good feel when chopping on it. it doesn't move, it's not too high when set on a counter top, and its so darn beautiful I leave it out all the time. To get the maximum life from your block, keep 3 things in mind. 1) don't intentially try to damage the board. with enough effort, sure you can impale your blade and make it stick. Why oh why would you want to do that? also I wouldn't put a hot pan on the board. unlike countertops, bamboo burns. :P 2) treat your board with mineral oil right after you buy it, and before you use it! Any food grade mineral oil will do, you don't have to stick with something that is "certified" for bamboo. Food Grade mineral oil is what you should use, and you can get it in the supermarket or drug store. I use the mineral oil designed as...don't laugh...a laxative. It's 100% food grade, and is safe to treat your bamboo or any wooden board. It's also a lot cheaper than wood treatment mineral oil. Simply apply some oil to a soft lint free cloth and rub it in, leaving a thin layer behind. go away for a half hour and come back. repeat. keep doing this until the board doesn't soak in anymore. Wipe the excess off with a dry cloth and you're ready to use it! Every few months apply the oil again to keep the wood from drying out. 3) Cleaning! some people use mild soapy water. I like to use distilled white vinegar applied with a soft sponge (not a scrubber) and then wiped dry with a towel. Vinegar kills bacteria and does a fantastic job cleaning, as long as you don't mind the smell. I water down my vinegar a little bit (a little stronger than 50/50) and keep it in a spray bottle. Clean your block using vinegar(or mild soapy water) after each use. Its easier to get the food off when its not dried on the surface (and in any cuts that may be on the surface). If you follow those 3 steps I bet this block will last you a lifetime. I've had mine only a week and I love it! Yes, it is expensive compared to other alternative products. you can get a similar sized cutting board made from bamboo for $15 and be happy. I personally think the manufacture and quality of this product merits the price tag. This sucker is not going to be splitting or cracking anytime soon.