Oak vs. walnut – which type of wood is best for cutting boards?
Oak or walnut? That's one of the questions we get most often when a cutting board is being made to order. Both are solid hardwoods. Both can make excellent cutting boards. The difference lies more in the expression, density and the way the wood is experienced than in a simple question of "best".
Oak – lighter, distinct structure
European oak has a light to medium brown appearance and a distinctive grain pattern. The Wood Database states for English/European oak an average dry density of around 675 kg/m³ and a Janka hardness of around 1,120 lbf. The figures naturally vary from tree to tree, but they give a useful picture of a relatively heavy and robust material.
On large surfaces, oak can appear both calm and vibrant, depending on how it is cut. Therefore, the choice of material is part of the work when we put together a board.
Walnut – darker and slightly lighter
American black walnut typically has a darker brownish heartwood with a wide variation from warm chocolate tones to lighter streaks. The Wood Database lists an average dry density of around 610 kg/m³ and a Janka hardness of around 1,010 lbf.
This does not mean that walnut is “soft”. It is still a furniture wood with good strength, but the representative hardness is slightly lower than European oak. On a large cutting board, the lower density can also make a noticeable difference in weight.
Hardness is not the whole story
A cutting board should be hard enough for everyday use, but a higher Janka number doesn't automatically make a board better. The hardness test measures resistance to impact; it doesn't tell you how well a particular board works with a particular knife.
Construction, grain direction, moisture content, surface treatment and maintenance are at least as important. That's why we wouldn't choose oak over walnut just because of the roughly 10 percent difference in typical Janka numbers.
Color changes the look of the kitchen
Here the difference is greater. Oak gives a lighter, Nordic look and plays naturally with light fronts and stone. Walnut creates more contrast and can function as a dark, warm element in an otherwise bright kitchen.
Both types of wood change hue with light and use. Wood is a natural material, and no two boards will ever be identical. This is part of the value of the material, not a flaw.
Which is easiest to hold?
Care is largely the same. Hand wash, avoid prolonged soaking, air dry the board on both sides, and oil as needed. Solid wood should be able to absorb and release moisture fairly evenly.
None of the wood types should be washed in a dishwasher.
What do we recommend?
Choose oak if you want a light, clear grain pattern and a slightly heavier look.
Choose walnut if you want darker colors, strong visual contrast, and a material that is typically a bit lighter.
If the functionality is otherwise the same, you should ultimately choose the type of wood you want to look at every day. A large cutting board is not something that needs to be hidden away.
See our cutting boards in oak and walnut or read more about the types of wood .
