Custom Cut-Offs by Severus Guitars

From fretboard to cutting board, we give every grain a second act.

In our shop, every board has potential. When we handcraft electric guitars, we select premium tonewoods for their beauty, resonance, and durability. But guitar building often leaves behind small cut-offs — too short for a neck, too narrow for a body — yet far too special to waste.

Instead of letting these pieces collect dust or end up discarded, we transform them into custom cutting boards, charcuterie boards, and kitchen pieces. Each is unique, showcasing the same exotic and domestic woods we use in our instruments — woods chosen for tone, beauty, and now, utility.

This process not only reduces waste but also celebrates craftsmanship in a new form. Whether it’s a slab of Mahogany that once sang as part of a guitar or a streaked piece of Osage Orange, each cutting board is as functional as it is artistic — built to last, just like our guitars.

Know Your Woods

Primary Cutting Surface Woods

(Ideal for daily food prep – closed grain, durable, knife-friendly)

Maple – The gold standard for cutting boards. Hard, fine-grained, and naturally resistant to bacteria.
Cherry – Warm reddish-brown hue that deepens with age. Smooth texture and gentle on knives.
Walnut – Rich, dark chocolate tones and silky feel under the knife.
Beech – Pale, fine-grained wood widely used in European kitchenware. Durable and stable.
Birch – Light color, smooth texture, and good durability.
Teak – Naturally oily, moisture-resistant, and visually striking with warm brown tones.
Hickory – Extremely strong with bold grain; slightly heavier than maple.

Accent & Feature Woods

(Adds beauty, contrast, and story — used in moderation to preserve knife-friendliness)

Mahogany – Classic reddish-gold tone with stable, timeless appeal.
Osage Orange – Vibrant golden-yellow that mellows to warm brown; extremely durable.
Bubinga – Exotic reddish-purple tone with dramatic grain; very dense.
Rosewood – Dark, oily wood from premium fretboards; stunning in accents.
Purpleheart – Bold purple hue that deepens over time; very hard and dense.
Padauk – Vivid orange-red that mellows to warm brown.
Sapele – Ribbon-like grain, rich brown tones; similar to mahogany.
Zebrawood – Distinctive striped grain for bold visual accents.
Wenge – Dark, dramatic grain; best in small amounts.
Ebony – Jet black, extremely dense; iconic in fine instruments.
Cocobolo – Rich orange-brown with dark streaks; highly decorative.
Canarywood – Multi-tonal yellow, orange, and red variations.
Bloodwood – Deep crimson red, very striking as an inlay or stripe.

Our cutting boards are made from the same premium, food-safe hardwoods we use in guitar building. Every species we work with is selected for its durability, sustainability, and kitchen safety — no toxic finishes or unsafe species.

Finish and Care

Our cutting boards are crafted with the same meticulous attention to detail that we apply to our guitars. Each board is sanded to a smooth finish and treated with 100% food-safe finishes like mineral oil, polymerized linseed oil, beeswax, and other high-quality materials. These finishes safeguard the wood while enhancing its natural colors and patterns.

Care Tips:

Hand wash only — never soak or put in the dishwasher.
Wipe clean with a damp cloth and mild soap.
Reapply food-safe cutting board oils and/or waxes monthly (or when the surface looks dry).
Store in a dry area away from direct heat or sunlight

Extra Tip from the Workbench:
Just like a well-played guitar, your cutting board’s surface will develop character over time. Light sanding and re-oiling/waxing can restore it to like-new condition, but we think a few knife marks are just part of the song.

We recommend and use Walrus Oil products.

In-Stock Cutting Boards