FAQ
Everything you need to know about MNCWOOD cutting boards — materials, care, orders, shipping, and custom work. Can't find your answer? Contact us directly — we reply within 24 hours.
🌳 About the Boards
What's the difference between end-grain and face-grain boards?
End-grain boards are built by gluing small wood blocks vertically, so the knife meets the ends of the wood fibres. The surface self-heals after each cut, protects knife edges, and shows complex geometric patterns. These are the premium choice for serious cooking. Face-grain boards use the flat, wide surface of the wood and show the long grain figure — they're lighter, thinner, and a great everyday option at a more accessible price.
Which board should I choose?
Depends on what you need:
- For daily chopping and knife-friendly cooking → end-grain (most of our catalogue)
- For serving charcuterie, bread, cheese → any board works, but boards with handles or round formats are especially elegant
- For heavy meat preparation → a butcher block with juice groove (Solid Oak or Butcher Block with Pull-Out Tray)
- For a gift or statement piece → boards from the Design & Sets Collection
- For everyday, no-fuss use → the XL Ash & Sapele (face-grain, with juice groove) or the Checkerboard
Still unsure? Message us — we'll help you choose.
What woods do you use?
We work with premium European hardwoods — ash, oak, maple, beech — and carefully sourced exotic woods — sapele, purpleheart, sucupira, thermo-treated pine. All woods are kiln-dried, properly acclimated, and finished with food-safe mineral oil and beeswax blend. No stains. No dyes. Every tone you see is the wood itself.
Are exotic woods like purpleheart and sapele safe for food?
Yes. When properly finished with food-safe mineral oil and beeswax blend — as every MNCWOOD board is — all the woods we use are completely safe for food contact. These are traditional hardwoods used for centuries in kitchens, butcher blocks, and food-preparation surfaces worldwide.
Will two boards look identical?
No. Every board is built individually from different batches of wood, and because the patterns go all the way through (not veneered or printed), natural variation in grain and tone is part of what makes each piece unique. You're buying a genuinely one-of-a-kind object, not a factory-made duplicate.
🧼 Care & Maintenance
How do I take care of my board?
It's simple:
- ✅ Hand wash with warm water and mild soap
- ✅ Dry immediately — never leave flat on a wet surface
- ✅ Re-oil with food-grade mineral oil every 1–2 months
- ❌ Never put in the dishwasher
- ❌ Never soak in water
- ❌ Avoid extended direct sunlight
What oil should I use to re-oil the board?
Use food-grade mineral oil or a dedicated board butter / board cream (a blend of mineral oil and beeswax). Avoid olive oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil — they turn rancid over time and will ruin your board. Mineral oil is cheap, widely available, and lasts indefinitely.
How often should I re-oil?
Every 1–2 months for regular use. If the surface starts looking dull or dry, oil it sooner. A quick rule: if water no longer beads on the surface, it's time to re-oil.
My board looks dry / rough after some use. What do I do?
Sand it lightly with 220-grit sandpaper in the direction of the grain until smooth. Wipe off the dust, then apply food-grade mineral oil generously. Let it absorb for a few hours, wipe off the excess, and it'll look nearly new. A well-maintained end-grain board can be revived indefinitely.
Can I use the board for raw meat?
Absolutely. End-grain boards are the preferred surface for meat preparation in professional kitchens — they're naturally hygienic, easy to sanitise, and the self-healing surface resists deep gouges where bacteria can hide. Wash with warm soapy water immediately after and dry thoroughly.
Will colours fade over time?
The opposite, actually. Most of our exotic woods (purpleheart, sapele, sucupira) deepen in colour with age and regular oiling. Ash and maple develop a warm honey patina. The contrast between woods often becomes more striking, not less. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight to keep colours vivid.
How long will my board last?
A well-cared-for end-grain board lasts decades. Many owners pass them down to the next generation. The board you buy today can still be in daily use in 2050 — that's not marketing, that's how properly made hardwood behaves.
✍️ Personalisation & Engraving
Can I personalise my board?
Yes. We offer laser engraving — a name, date, initials, short message, or monogram — on the back or side of the board. Select the personalisation option at checkout and enter your text.
How much does engraving cost?
It depends on the board:
- Thermo Pine & Ash (Brick) — FREE
- Ash & Maple (Two-Tone) — FREE
- Ash & Sapele XL (Juice Groove) — FREE
- Ash & Sucupira (Dual Pattern) — FREE
- All other boards — FREE
Pricing is shown on each product page.
Will the engraving fade over time?
No. Laser engraving burns deep into the wood — it's permanent and won't fade with oiling, washing, or normal use. Treat the engraved area exactly like the rest of the board.
Can I use any font or language?
Yes. We can engrave in any language (including non-Latin scripts like Cyrillic, Greek, Chinese, Arabic), various fonts, and simple symbols or monograms. For complex logos or artwork, send us a message first to confirm feasibility.
Can personalised boards be returned?
No. Because engraved boards are made to your specifications, they are non-refundable unless damaged or defective. Please double-check your text carefully before ordering — we engrave exactly what you provide, including any typos.
🛠️ Custom Orders
Can I order a custom size?
Yes. We make custom boards in any reasonable size. Send us a message with your dimensions and wood preferences, and we'll confirm pricing and timeline.
Can I choose different wood combinations?
Yes. If you see a pattern you love but want it in different woods (for example, the diamond lattice in walnut instead of purpleheart), we can usually accommodate.
How long do custom orders take?
Typically 2–4 weeks, depending on complexity and current workshop load. We'll give you an exact timeline before starting work.
Do you do bulk orders for weddings or businesses?
Yes. Minimum order: 10 boards. Volume discounts available. Please reach out at least 6–8 weeks before your event to ensure production time. Great for:
- Wedding favours (personalised with the couple's name and date)
- Corporate gifts
- Restaurant and hospitality commissions
- Wholesale partnerships
📦 Orders & Shipping
How long until my board ships?
- Standard boards: 3–5 business days
- Personalised / engraved: 4–6 business days
- Custom orders: 2–4 weeks
Where do you ship?
We ship to all EU countries, the UK, USA, and Canada. Shipping is tracked and insured. See full details on our Shipping & Returns page.
How much is shipping?
- Poland: Free
- EU, UK, USA, Canada: Calculated at checkout based on weight and destination
Will I pay customs or import taxes?
Within the EU — no. For UK, USA, and Canada — possibly, depending on your country's customs rules. These charges are the buyer's responsibility and collected by the carrier on delivery.
Can I track my order?
Yes. You'll receive an email with your tracking number as soon as your board ships. If you haven't received it within 7 business days of placing your order, check your spam folder or contact us.
My board arrived damaged. What do I do?
Contact us within 48 hours of delivery at contact@mncwood.com with photos of the damage and the packaging. We'll arrange a replacement or full refund — no hassle. Keep the original packaging until the claim is resolved.
↩️ Returns & Refunds
Can I return my board if I change my mind?
Yes, for standard (non-personalised) boards — within 30 days of delivery, in unused condition. Buyer pays return shipping. Full details on our Shipping & Returns page.
Can I return a personalised or custom board?
No — unless it's damaged or defective. Personalised and custom boards are made specifically for you, so they can't be resold. Please check your engraving text carefully before ordering.
How long do refunds take?
Refunds are processed within 5–7 business days of receiving the returned board. Bank processing may add 2–5 more days depending on your card issuer.
🇵🇱 About MNCWOOD
Who makes the boards?
Every MNCWOOD board is made by a single craftsman in our small Polish workshop. No factory lines, no team of workers — just one pair of hands, from raw plank to finished surface. Read our full story →
Is this really handmade, or just "handmade"?
Genuinely handmade. Machines handle the work they do better than hands — precision cutting, planing. Everything else — pattern assembly, clamping, sanding, oiling, finishing — is done by hand, one board at a time. We can't make hundreds of boards a week. That's intentional.
Why Poland?
Poland has a deep woodworking tradition, excellent access to European hardwoods, and a culture that still values craftsmanship. Our workshop sits in that tradition and tries to execute it at the highest level possible.
Do you have a physical store?
No. We're an online-only workshop. But if you're in Poland and would like to arrange a workshop visit, get in touch — we're happy to show you the work in person.
💳 Payment & Security
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express), PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, Klarna, Bancontact, Maestro, and Union Pay. All payments are processed securely by Shopify Payments.
Is my payment information secure?
Yes. All payments are processed through Shopify's PCI-compliant payment system. We never see or store your card details.
Can I pay in my local currency?
Yes. Select your country at the top of the site and prices will display in your local currency (USD, GBP, EUR, CAD). Your card is charged in the displayed currency — no surprise exchange fees.
❓ Can't Find Your Answer?
Every message goes directly to the person who makes the boards. No customer service team, no chatbots — just the maker. Expect a reply within 24 hours.
Built by Hands. Used for Life.