About KenCraft
Who We Are
At KenCraft, we focus on creating unique digital woodworking designs utilizing state-of-the-art computer numerically controlled (CNC) precision woodworking routers and laser engravers. We specialize in creating sophisticated inlay products, including both wood inlay and epoxy inlay designs. For serving/cutting boards, we offer precision crafted wood inlay designs that combine elegant visual appeal with everyday functionality in your kitchen or for your next party. They also make great gifts. Click the Learn More button below to find out more about our wood inlay designs.
Browse our gallery to see some of our creations and visit our product store to purchase a special gift or home décor item. We also welcome client requests for personalization of standard products or custom designs for that special one-of-a-kind gift or home décor item. Our passion for woodworking is evident in every project we undertake, ensuring high-quality craftsmanship, precision and attention to detail.
Custom Design Services
Product Customization
Many of our precision crafted woodworking products can be customized to create a perfect home décor item or gift. Have a serving/cutting board personalized with a monogram, name, business logo or special lettering. Custom designs can be precision wood inlayed using our CNC for an elegant touch. In many cases, custom designs can be provided with a choice of wood, such as walnut, maple, or cherry. A personalized serving/cutting board or home decor item makes a perfect gift for a wedding, birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion. We can also provide custom laser engraving and epoxy inlay home décor products.
Standard personalization options are available in our store when you select a product and check out. For custom designs, please use our contact form to let us know what you need. We would love to work with you to create that special one-of-a-kind gift or home décor item.
Wood Inlay - the Superior Product
Wood Inlay Overview
Wood inlay is a decorative woodworking technique that involves embedding pieces of contrasting hardwood into a base wood to create intricate designs and patterns. Careful selection of different species of wood for contrasting colors and grain for the inlay results in a high-end product that is visually striking. The wood inlay process at KenCraft uses the CNC to precision carve intricate patterns into the base serving/cutting board as well as create the inlay piece that is inserted into the base. The computer precision of the CNC allows the inlay to fit perfectly into the base serving/cutting board. The edges of the resulting inlay are crisp, the transitions are seamless, and the surface of the serving/cutting board is sanded smooth resulting in a final product that is as visually elegant as it is functional.
Wood Characteristics
Wood has a natural way of self-healing over time when cut with a knife, and numerous studies have found that there are natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties in many varieties of hardwood due to its healing nature. Wood pulls bacteria in trapping and killing it through the drying process after cleaning. The wood inlay approach maintains this natural self-healing characteristic of your serving/cutting board.
At Kencraft, we offer three wood species for our serving/cutting boards: walnut, cherry and maple. These are widely considered the top-tier hardwoods for charcuterie and cutting boards thanks to their ideal balance of durability, beauty, and food safety. The important factors are described below:
- Hardness: Walnut, cherry and maple are hardwoods making them resistant to damage from knives and they will not dull knives as quickly as softer woods.
- Grain: The grain of walnut, cherry and maple is closed, meaning that the pores are not visible. This will help to prevent food from becoming lodged in the wood, which can lead to the growth of bacteria.
- Porosity: Walnut, cherry and maple wood are low in porosity, meaning that they do not absorb moisture easily. This will help to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.
- Resistance to warping: Walnut, cherry and maple are resistant to warping, which can be caused by changes in moisture content.
- Appearance: Walnut, cherry and maple are all beautiful hardwoods with distinctive grain patterns, creating a serving/cutting board that is both decorative as well as functional.
Why Wood Inlay Serving/Cutting Boards Stand Above the Rest
When looking for a personalized serving/cutting board, several options can be found on the market, including wood inlay, laser engraved and epoxy resin. At KenCraft, we feel when it comes to craftsmanship, durability, and food safety, wood inlay serving/cutting boards are the superior product. A wood inlay serving/cutting board offers a distinct blend of durability and functionality and adds a level of sophistication that sets it apart from laser-engraved or epoxy alternatives. It is not only a tool for food preparation and serving but also a decorative piece.
Unlike laser engraving, which lacks visual richness and can fade or roughen over time with regular use, wood inlay integrates contrasting hardwoods seamlessly into the board, preserving their visual clarity and functional elegance through years of use. Also, the burning process of laser engraving creates carbonized areas and micro-crevices that can trap food particles and bacteria, making cleaning more difficult. In contrast, wood inlays are flush with the board’s surface and transitions are seamless, avoiding grooves or crevices where bacteria can hide, and the smooth surfaces of the inlay make the serving/cutting board easy to clean.
Epoxy boards, while trendy, can pose some food safety concerns if improper epoxy resin is used that has not been certified food safe, is not compliant with FDA standards, or has not been properly cured. Even if these standards are met, with use over time, epoxy can harbor bacteria in scratches and can chip leading to potential ingestion of micro-particles. In contrast, wood inlay serving/cutting boards can maintain the natural antibacterial properties of hardwood, can self-heal with use, and will preserve their heirloom quality for years. The result is a wood inlay food preparation/serving surface that’s visually striking and functional — built to last and made to be used.