The Choppa Block Finish

In praise of Hard Wax Oil vs using Board Butter alone.

Some manufactures rely solely on board butter, a mineral oil/wax combo, or tung oil to finish their timber. While these provide a natural, basic level of protection, they require frequent reapplication and offer limited long-term durability.

At Choppa Block, we use hard wax oil as the primary protective finish. It penetrates and bonds with the timber fibres within the end grain, creating a durable, water-resistant barrier that helps prevent liquids from penetrating the timber. This is a one-time treatment process, and in a chopping board setting, it can last 4–5 years before needing a refresh. Our hard wax oils are 100% food-safe and EU certified.

Hard wax oils are micro-porous and penetrate deep into the grain, which allows the timber to breathe naturally without allowing liquids to penetrate. This is a major advantage for seasonal movement as the board can move as one and not be under stress with sections of the board moving at different rates.

The result is a no fuss low maintenance board with a constant protective coating which repels liquids, easily cleaned and therefore hygienic.

The maintenance wax supplied in our Care Kits is mainly to go over score marks (if any). This aids in repelling stains and liquids, if the hard wax oil coating is damaged under any score mark.

Comparison at a Glance: