About Me
Welcome to Spaeth Woodcraft, a small, family-rooted woodworking shop based in Wisconsin.
​
With over 35 years of hands-on woodworking experience, I specialize in creating handcrafted, one-of-a-kind wood products designed to be both beautiful and functional. My passion for woodworking began growing up in Wisconsin, where I learned the craft from my father, who owned and operated his own cabinet shop. His dedication to quality, precision, and honest workmanship shaped the way I approach every piece I create today.
​
Each item from Spaeth Woodcraft is meticulously crafted using quality hardwoods, carefully finished, and made with attention to detail that ensures long-lasting durability. From cutting boards and serving pieces to custom projects, every piece is made with the same goal in mind — to create something timeless that can be used, enjoyed, and appreciated for years to come.
​
Thank you for supporting a Wisconsin small business and for trusting me with your home or gift needs. I would be honored to create something special for you.
— Bruce
About Wood Cutting Boards
Wood is the best cutting board material for everyday use, by a long shot. Not only is it extra kind to your knife blade, it's also the safest material as bacteria have a much lower survival rate on wood than on plastic, and it's gorgeous, too. Wood is naturally quite porous, so without a protective finish, it can absorb juices from your food, transferring colors and aromas from one recipe to the next. Worse, if excess moisture builds up inside that board, it can lead to warping and cracking as the wood unevenly expands, or, in the worst case, rots from within. With that said, a good-quality wooden cutting board requires a bit of maintenance from time to time to stay in tip-top cutting shape. Seasoning it occasionally can prevent all of that from happening. All of Spaeth Woodcraft’s boards are seasoned initially, all you need to do is maintain it when it starts to wear thin by applying a layer of food grade mineral oil, allowing it to soak in overnight, wiping off any excess oil, and then we recommend applying our own Cutting Board Wood Wax for additional protection.
You can tell it’s time to oil by sprinkling a few drops of water over your board with your fingertips. If the board has been properly and freshly seasoned, water will bead up on its surface. This is a good indication that nothing is going to penetrate it. Over time, its water-repellent qualities will start to diminish, and water droplets will spread further and further out, clinging to the wood. Eventually, the water will look like it's about to get absorbed into the wood even as it first lands on it. That's a sign that you're ready for another layer of oil.
Keep up the regimen, and your board should last for many years.
A Word About Edge Grain Boards
Edge grain boards will be tougher than face grain boards. Edge grain cutting boards require less upkeep than an end grain cutting board. Since the grains of the wood are not exposed the wood will soak up less moisture, making it less likely to warp or crack if not oiled regularly. They may also be thicker than face grain giving the board more weight and body. They also do not have to be as thick as an end grain board which at times can become rather heavy. A good wooden cutting board can last for years as your primary cutting surface, even with heavy use.
