About Woods and WAX
Jonathan Riedel
Founder of Woods and Wax
oods and Wax was founded with a simple mission: to prove that handcrafted, American-made products can be built to last without carrying an unreasonable price tag. Every cutting board I make is built with longevity, quality, and practicality in mind. I believe a kitchen tool should serve a family for years—not be replaced every few months.
y Background: I didn't begin my career as a woodworker. For more than a decade, I've worked in digital marketing, sales, business development, and leadership roles while building businesses of my own. Marketing has been my profession, but woodworking has become my passion. Woods and Wax started as a side business funded through my career in marketing. My long-term vision has always been to build something tangible—a business centered around craftsmanship that I can continue growing well into retirement. Marketing evolves constantly. Algorithms change, platforms change, and technology changes. But the fundamentals of building quality products, earning trust, and serving customers have remained the same throughout history. That's the type of business I wanted to create.
My Woodworking Journey
've been woodworking for more than three years, but my experience with building things started much earlier. Growing up, I helped my mother build wooden piano benches for her piano students using basic hand tools. Those projects introduced me to the satisfaction of creating something useful with my own hands. Over the years I've also worked on a variety of construction projects, including roofing, framing, drywall, concrete, demolition, and residential remodeling. Each experience taught me different skills, but woodworking is the craft that captured my interest the most.
Why I Started Woods and Wax
he idea for Woods & Wax came from a decision my family made to reduce our use of plastic. We replaced plastic food containers, cups, plates, and kitchen tools with products designed to last longer and reduce unnecessary waste. When it came time to replace our plastic cutting board, I was surprised by the limited options available. Many boards were either: Mass produced overseas Built with multiple glue joints Far more expensive than I felt they needed to be As someone who has always enjoyed building things myself, I decided to make my own. After purchasing hardwood locally and spending countless hours experimenting with different designs, finishing methods, and construction techniques, I eventually created a cutting board that my family genuinely enjoyed using. Friends and neighbors began asking for one of their own. That hobby quickly grew into Woods & Wax. Today, every board I build follows the same goal that inspired the company from the beginning: create a beautiful, durable cutting board that is handmade in the USA and built to last.
My Philosophy
y philosophy is simple: Keep it small. Keep it personal. Keep it high quality. Rather than chasing mass production, I intentionally keep Woods & Wax focused on craftsmanship. Every board receives individual attention throughout the entire process—from selecting hardwood to milling, routing, sanding, oiling, waxing, and final inspection. I believe customers should know that an actual craftsman—not an assembly line—built the product sitting in their kitchen.
What I Build
y primary focus is solid hardwood cutting boards. Instead of expanding into dozens of unrelated woodworking products, I prefer to dedicate my time to continuously improving one product. There's an old saying: "Do one thing, and do it well." That philosophy guides everything I build. Every cutting board teaches me something new, allowing me to continually refine my process and improve the next one.
Wood Species I Work With
primarily build cutting boards using hardwood species that have long histories of kitchen use, including: Hard Maple Black Walnut Cherry I also work with select specialty hardwoods, including: Padauk Purpleheart White Oak Red Oak Each species offers unique characteristics in appearance, durability, hardness, and maintenance requirements.
My Finishing Process
very cutting board is finished by hand using a two-step food-safe process. First, each board is saturated with food-grade mineral oil, allowing the wood fibers to absorb moisture protection while enhancing the natural grain. After the oil has properly cured, I apply a food-safe cutting board wax by hand. This final layer helps protect the wood, slows moisture absorption, and keeps the surface looking its best with regular maintenance.
Why I Build by Hand
hile modern woodworking equipment has its place, I've chosen to keep my process centered around traditional handheld tools and hands-on craftsmanship. I enjoy being personally involved in every stage of production. Each board is shaped, sanded, finished, and inspected by me. Because every piece of hardwood is unique, no two cutting boards are ever exactly alike. Small variations in grain, color, and character are part of what make handcrafted woodworking special. Rather than trying to eliminate those natural differences, I embrace them. Every board tells its own story—and I consider that part of its beauty.
Looking Ahead
y goal isn't to become the largest cutting board manufacturer. My goal is to become one of the most trusted. I want Woods and Wax to be known for quality, honesty, fair pricing, and products that families can enjoy for many years. When someone purchases a cutting board from Woods & Wax, I want them to know exactly who made it, why it was built, and the care that went into every step of the process.
How Our Cutting Boards Are Made
The Process
very cutting board starts with selecting the right wood. Not all hardwood is perfect—many boards on the market are made from pieces with twists, knots, cracks, or heavy imperfections. We carefully source kiln-dried hardwood that is as straight, stable, and blemish-free as possible. Starting with higher-quality lumber allows us to create stronger, longer-lasting cutting boards with fewer structural issues over time. Because we avoid heavily damaged wood, there’s less need for aggressive machining or filling cracks with glue. Since we do not use glue fillers to hide imperfections, we carefully work around knots and natural defects whenever possible. If a small natural character mark remains, we position it toward the outer edge of the board where food juices are less likely to penetrate and affect the wood over time.
nce the wood is selected and milled, we test every board for countertop stability. If a board rocks, spins, or teeters, we mark the high areas and carefully plane them down. This process is repeated multiple times to ensure the board sits flat and stable on your countertop. We then router the edges to give a slight soft round edge. From there, each board moves into sanding. We gradually work through multiple grits, starting as coarse as 40 grit and progressing up to 400 grit. This extensive sanding process smooths transitions, refines edges, and creates a finish that feels exceptionally smooth to the touch while remaining durable for everyday kitchen use.
inally, we apply our conditioning wax blend made from beeswax, mineral oil, and coconut oil. This final step helps seal in moisture protection, preserve the finish, and create the smooth, rich feel our boards are known for. Depending on the wood and recent conditioning, the surface may occasionally feel slightly tacky or oily at first—this is normal and part of a properly conditioned hardwood cutting board finish. From there, each board moves into sanding. We gradually work through multiple grits, starting as coarse as 40 grit and progressing up to 400 grit. This extensive sanding process smooths transitions, refines edges, and creates a finish that feels exceptionally smooth to the touch while remaining durable for everyday kitchen use.
Why we finish with beeswax
The Benefits of Finishing Cutting Boards With Beeswax
hen people think about a high-quality wood cutting board, they often focus on the wood species, craftsmanship, or grain pattern. While those things matter, the finish applied to the board is just as important. A properly finished cutting board not only looks better, but it also lasts longer, resists moisture more effectively, and feels smoother during everyday use. One of the most trusted and time-tested finishes for wooden cutting boards is beeswax. For generations, woodworkers and kitchen craftsmen have used beeswax to help protect hardwood surfaces naturally. When combined with food-grade mineral oil, beeswax creates a durable conditioning finish that helps preserve the wood while enhancing its appearance and feel. For handmade hardwood cutting boards like those from Woods and Wax, beeswax plays a major role in both protection and long-term performance.
Why Cutting Boards Need a Finish
Wood is a natural material. Even kiln-dried hardwood constantly reacts to the environment around it. Changes in humidity, water exposure, washing, and kitchen use can all affect the stability of a cutting board over time. Without protection, wood can: Dry out Absorb excess moisture Warp or twist Develop cracks Stain more easily Feel rough or fuzzy A finish helps slow down this moisture exchange while conditioning the wood fibers. Unlike furniture finishes, cutting board finishes must also be: food safe non-toxic easy to maintain safe for direct food contact That’s why beeswax has become one of the most popular natural choices.
Beeswax Helps Protect Against Moisture
ne of the biggest enemies of hardwood cutting boards is moisture imbalance. When wood absorbs too much water and then dries unevenly, it can: cup crack split warp Beeswax helps create a protective barrier that slows water penetration into the wood fibers. While no cutting board is completely waterproof, a beeswax finish significantly reduces: water absorption rapid drying moisture cycling stress This helps extend the life of the board and keeps it more dimensionally stable over time.
Beeswax Helps Lock In Mineral Oil
ineral oil penetrates deeply into hardwood and conditions the wood internally. However, mineral oil alone can gradually wash out over time. That’s where beeswax becomes especially valuable. The wax helps “seal in” the oil by creating a light protective layer on the surface of the board. This combination provides: deep conditioning from the oil surface protection from the wax Together, they work far better than either ingredient alone. This is why many premium board conditioners combine both ingredients into one finish.
Beeswax Enhances the Natural Beauty of Hardwood
properly waxed cutting board has a rich, finished appearance that bare wood simply cannot match. Beeswax helps: deepen grain contrast enrich natural wood tones highlight figuring and patterns add a subtle satin sheen Species like: walnut cherry maple padauk purpleheart all become noticeably more vibrant after conditioning with beeswax. The finish also gives the wood a smoother, more refined feel in the hand.
Beeswax Creates a Smooth Surface Feel
ne of the most noticeable benefits of beeswax is how a board feels after finishing. A properly waxed cutting board often feels: smoother softer silkier more refined The wax helps reduce surface dryness while improving tactile feel during food preparation. Many handmade cutting board makers intentionally sand boards to very fine grits before applying wax because the wax amplifies that smoothness. This is especially noticeable on premium hardwood boards that go through extensive sanding processes.
Beeswax Is Food Safe
ood safety is critical for anything used in a kitchen. Pure beeswax is considered food safe and has long been used in: food wraps cheese preservation candy coatings woodworking butcher block finishes When paired with food-grade mineral oil, it becomes one of the safest and most trusted finishing options available for cutting boards. This makes it ideal for: meat prep boards vegetable cutting boards serving boards charcuterie boards butcher blocks
Beeswax Helps Prevent Surface Drying
ver time, dry wood becomes more vulnerable to: cracking splitting rough grain discoloration Beeswax helps slow down this drying process by adding a protective layer that retains conditioning oils longer. This is particularly important in: dry climates heated homes kitchens with fluctuating humidity Regular waxing can dramatically extend the lifespan of a hardwood cutting board.
Beeswax Makes Maintenance Easier
well-conditioned board is easier to maintain long term. Boards finished with beeswax often: clean more easily resist staining better absorb less moisture maintain their appearance longer Routine maintenance is also simple. Most owners only need to: clean the board let it dry fully apply conditioner periodically That quick maintenance routine can keep a cutting board looking great for years.
Handmade in Utah
Why Utah
very board we make is handcrafted right here in Utah, a place we’ve proudly called home for years. Utah sits at the crossroads of I-15 and I-80, making it a uniquely centralized location for sourcing quality hardwoods and materials from across the country. That accessibility allows us to carefully select the woods we use while staying closely connected to the suppliers and craftsmanship standards we value
ore importantly, Utah is where Woods and Wax was built. The mountains, dry climate, hardworking culture, and appreciation for craftsmanship all influence how we approach our work. From selecting hardwoods to sanding and finishing each board by hand, every piece reflects the care and pride that comes from building something locally, honestly, and with long-term quality in mind.
Cutting Boards and Beeswax Products
Our cutting boards are designed for real kitchens, where meals are shared and memories are made. Our beeswax candles are made without additives or fillers, offering a warm natural glow and a subtle honey scent straight from the hive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer custom cutting boards and beeswax candles?
Yes. We offer custom cutting boards and beeswax candles. Custom orders are handmade and may take a few additional days to complete before shipping due to our small-batch production process.
How long does shipping take?
We ship all orders using USPS standardized shipping. Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking number to monitor delivery progress.
How are your cutting boards made?
Our handmade hardwood cutting boards follow a precision process designed for durability and long-term use:
- We start with kiln-dried hardwood to ensure proper moisture content.
- The straightest wood slabs are selected to reduce warping and unnecessary material loss.
- Edges are routered for comfort and clean design.
- Each board is quadruple sanded for an ultra-smooth surface.
- Boards are finished with food-safe oil and beeswax for protection and longevity.
This process ensures flat, stable, and premium-quality cutting boards.
How do you filter your beeswax?
Our filtered beeswax is processed using a boiling water filtration method:
- Large impurities such as bee parts are removed during boiling.
- Dark or discolored wax settles at the bottom and is carefully shaved away.
- During remelting and hand-pouring, remaining impurities are manually removed.
This method produces clean, high-quality beeswax without chemical processing.
Where does your beeswax come from?
We use 100% pure beeswax sourced exclusively from U.S. honey bee farms.
- No imported beeswax
- No soy wax blends
- No fillers or additives
Beeswax candles that appear overly shiny, burn black, or are unusually inexpensive are often cut with soy wax. Our candles are made with pure American beeswax only.
Are your cutting boards and candles handmade?
Yes. All of our cutting boards and beeswax candles are handcrafted in small batches. Natural variations in wood grain and beeswax color are normal and part of what makes each piece unique.