I had edge grain rock maple BB in my last kitchen & I chose it again for my new kitchen, the main reason being the functionality of cutting on it. I use cutting boards for meat, but basically, I think they're a PITA & one more thing to clean. I oil my counters 1-2 times a year & I don't find that they look overly scarred or beat up; a serrated knife will chew up BB & I avoid those. I suspect that dark species of wood like walnut would tend to look faded & dry more than a light wood, but I'm guessing. IMO old cutting boards look particularily bad because of water damage caused by submerging or soaking them or putting them in the DW - all things that shouldn't be a problem with a counter top that's reasonably cared for. Of course, if you want a countertop that looks like fine furniture with an unblemished finish & exquisite grain, cutting on it would not be the way to go.

Whole Foods has put oak tops in their pub. They are gorgeous and have such a soft beautiful texture. I've been thinking the traditional hard maple edge grain, oiled food safe. Thanks for the photo oozing charm. I adore wood tops. I'm in the US and have collected some samples but haven't talked much with the manufacturers about specifics. I asked in a KD shop and they steer from it. Understandably they don't want to take any chances. I see lots of magazine pictures from the States. I've looked on Devos and Boos and don't recall anything about them not doing sinks but seem to remember a Waterlox recommendation. I might just put it on my mini-island but have always dreamed of it on the main counter. I do love patina but don't want precious counter tops to worry about or the need for a redo. I'm hoping for decades which is another reason the resurfacing of a wood top was appealing.

Sarah, we have a wood island countertop, but opted to do soapstone at the end where the prep sink is. It's the best of both worlds for us - no fuss maintanenace around the sink, and I don't worry about water with the wood island countertop. BTW, we finished our wood with Waterlox and the upkeep is really easy. While we do minimal "prep" on the wood island, we eat at the island daily and always serve buffet style from there when we have guests, plus sit there to read the paper, use the computer etc etc so it gets a heavy workout. Eliz

it's the regular black walnut. There are three knots on my top actually. I wish I had thought to take a far away shot when I had Jen's camera last night! Next time I will back up and take a full top shot for you guys. I can't believe no one else is in awe though. I never Ever thought rubbing alcohol would take of permanent marker from waterloxed wood. (someone on here said "Waterloxed - new verb!" and I am totally stealing that) : )