African Hardwood and Epoxy cutting board with sea theme
R 6,000
# African Hardwood Cutting Board I make each cutting board from African hardwood, and honestly, there's something satisfying about working with wood that's dense enough to handle years of knife work without splintering or warping. This one measures 450 by 300 millimeters with a thickness of 30 millimeters — substantial enough to give you real stability when you're breaking down vegetables or meat, but not so heavy that it becomes a nuisance to move around your kitchen. The grain pattern in the wood is what catches people's eyes first, though; the natural striations and color variations mean no two boards are ever identical, and once I finish one, that's it — there won't be another exactly like it. What makes this different from the mass-produced stuff is that I build these to order, which means you're not getting something that's been sitting in a warehouse for months. You get to choose the theme and size that actually fits your kitchen and your cooking style, and I work the piece specifically for you. I take my time with the surface — it's smooth enough for precision work but with enough grip that your vegetables won't slip when you're working quickly. I finish it with food-safe oil that brings out the wood's character while protecting it from moisture and daily wear. This board is for anyone who actually cooks — whether you're someone who enjoys a quiet morning chopping herbs for breakfast or a home chef who spends hours prepping for dinner. If you care enough about your tools to notice the difference between something thrown together and something made with intention, you'll understand why this matters.
This piece is crafted especially for you after your order is placed. Each one is unique.
The story behind this piece
Where it comes from
I source my hardwood from local lumber yards here in South Africa, and honestly, it's partly practical and partly principle—they're right here, I know the owners, and I like keeping my money in the community. The epoxy and shells I've collected over time, some from beaches near me. I chose these materials because they work well together and I can get them without too much fuss, but also because working with what's actually available around me feels right. There's something about using local wood and shells that makes the piece feel like it belongs here.
“I make these cutting boards because I genuinely believe everyone deserves something beautiful in their kitchen, not just something that works. There's this moment when I finish one and step back — that's when it really hits me, this sense of total pride in what I've made. I hope when you use yours, you feel that same thing, like you're worth taking care of.”
— Paulo Ricardo Goncalves
How it is made
I start by sourcing fallen branches and carefully strip away the bark by hand, which takes patience but shows me the wood grain I'll be working with. Then I cut each piece to size and build forms around the wood—this is where I have to be really precise, because any gap or uneven edge will let the epoxy seep through and ruin everything. Once the epoxy is poured and set, I sand the whole thing down to 4000 grit, which takes days but gets it smooth enough to feel almost glass-like. It's meticulous work, and honestly, there's no shortcut through any of these steps; one mistake somewhere in those seven days and I'm starting over.
Materials
- African hardwood
- Epoxy
- Sea shells
Authenticity
I make each of these pieces by hand in my home workshop, so there's no factory or mass production happening here — it's just me and my work. Because I work with natural wood and hand-finish everything, you'll notice small variations from piece to piece, and honestly, that's what makes them real. No two are exactly alike, and that's the whole point.
Care
# Care Instructions This piece is made from solid African hardwood with epoxy detailing, so treat it with a bit of care. The main thing is to avoid dropping it — the epoxy can shatter if it hits a hard surface, and that's not something I can easily fix. You can store it anywhere around your home, but keep it away from extreme heat or moisture if possible. A quick wipe with a dry cloth now and then will keep it looking good.
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