Questions we hear a lot

Is everything solid wood?

It depends on the piece, and each product page names its woods. Cutting boards and tables are solid wood through and through. Cabinets use solid wood for the doors and face frames; the carcass may be plywood or MDF. Some signs are plywood, or a mix of plywood and solid wood. Solid wood moves a little with the seasons, so a piece may look slightly different in July than in January. That is the material, not a fault.

What is the difference between end grain and edge grain?

Edge grain boards are strips glued side by side, so you cut along the length of the wood. They are often lighter and flatter, they are easy to look after, and some of our boards are built this way. End grain boards are blocks stood on end, so the knife goes between the fibers instead of across them. That is kinder to your edge and to the board, and it makes the checkerboard look. End grain is heavier and thicker and wants oil more often. Face grain is the wide face of a plank, the plainest look, and we use it for serving and display boards. Each piece says which it is on its own page.

Will my board show knife marks?

Yes, and it should. A board is there to take the knife so your edge does not. On end grain the fibers close back up and marks stay faint for years. On edge and face grain they show sooner, as fine lines that soften into an even, used look with washing and oil. A board that looks worked is a board doing its job. If it ever feels rough, a light sanding and a coat of oil bring it back.

Will the color change?

Yes. Every wood warms or darkens as light reaches it. Cherry goes from pale pink to deep red inside its first year. Walnut lightens a shade and turns golden. Maple goes from white to cream. Oil deepens the color the moment it goes on and brings the grain forward, then fades back as the oil wears off. None of this is a fault. The color in the photo is the color on the day we took it.

Why does my piece look different from the photo?

Because it is a different piece of wood. No two boards from the same tree share a grain, and a made-to-order piece is cut fresh for you from the stock we have. The color, the figure and the run of the grain will be the piece’s own. The size, the woods and the build are what we promise; the pattern is the tree’s. When a piece is one of a kind, the photo is that exact piece.

Can you put a name or a date on a piece?

Often, yes. Pieces that can carry text say so on their page. Use the link there, or the contact page, and tell us what you have in mind. We reply by email, agree on the wording and the price, and send an invoice. Personalized pieces are never bought straight from the cart, because we want to get the words right first.

Do you take commissions?

We do. Tell us what you are picturing, roughly how big, and which wood you like, and we will talk it through. Commissions are priced by conversation and invoiced separately.

How long does a made-to-order piece take?

Each made-to-order piece shows its lead time in weeks on its own page. That is the time from your order to the day it ships. If we are running behind, we tell you.

Do you ship?

Yes, anywhere in the United States. Each piece lists its own shipping charge next to the price, and the cart adds them up. Sales tax is worked out at checkout. See Shipping and returns for the details.

How do I look after a board?

Wash it by hand, dry it standing up, and oil it when it looks thirsty. A thin coat of The South Farm Board Butter over the oil seals the surface. The care guides cover boards, signs and decor, furniture, and textiles.

Can I see the work in person?

We set up a table at a handful of markets and shows each year. The events page lists what is coming up.