Maple platform question

Check out Michigan Maple Block - great deals there. I got 21x15x3 inch butcher block cutting boards for around $80 each. They appear to be very good quality.

Points well taken.

I just lucked out and bought a very large (21x15x2) European Beechwood board at Home Depot on clearance for $18.95. If you have HD in your area, you may want to see if they are clearing them out. I have a maple board in my system too, and while both boards make a big difference in sound for my CDP and TT, I can't tell the difference between materials.

It is true that commercial kitchen supply places beat WS for some things (I got a stainless steel food prep table for about a third the WS price), but I doubt that is true for Boos Block. Boos quotes $86 for the block Albert mentions, in the neighborhood of the WS price. (As I recall, a 2.25" Boos in that size is around $100 or so) Buying countertop might be cheaper, but you typically have to buy more, as Albert notes, and then there's the labor. I also suspect that the Boos quality is pretty hard to best, at anywhere near the price point. Unless you need a lot of block and very particular sizes, Boos or similar looks a good way to go.

On a related note, Boiled Walnut Oil is an excellent and easy finish for the blocks: dries hard and non-sticky, and brings up the wood nicely. John

Hey folks, thanks for all of the suggestions. I'll check out some of these options.

I notice Mapleshade sells what look like solid Maple platforms. Anyone notice difference between solid wood and laminated blocks? Between vertical grain butcher block and horizontal grain laminated blocks?