Restoring a 1942 Butcher Block - Alaska

[@willybee684]

My dad had a custom cabinet shop. He built something like this out of scrap. Today it sits in my living room as a reminder of him and his craftmanship.

[@mikewatt8706]

my dad left lots of empty whisky bottles as a reminder of his life

[@chrisjohannes179]

​@@mikewatt8706 What happened to the whisky?

[@caroline0515]

I think he drank it. @@chrisjohannes179

[@oscarchagoya5985]

PICS PLEASE?????

[@daddymarkram]

For me this video was the perfect pace. Enough to let you see what's going on, without someone talking for 10 minutes between each step. Very well done in both the restoration and editing.

[@KrisDeVo]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@thesun-N-moon8885]

😊

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Seriously. The work kind of speaks for itself. So many people spend an inordinate amount of time discussing minutiae of their project to the point that it gets boring/annoying. Then again that's what the scrubbing/ffw function is for I guess.

[@danjenkins9427]

my family still has my grandfather's block like that. while he was active as a butcher he would take it to a cabinet shop down the road and they would plane it flat again. for the past 35 years my mom has been using it s a kitchen island,

[@KrisDeVo]

Thats great!

[@leslieapplegate65]

My Father bought one of these years ago from a butcher shop that was closing. My Brother has it in his kitchen at the end of the countertop. Many memories of butchering deer on that block that we harvested up on our place.

[@justinleland]

3 years late to the party it seems. Great video! Very relaxing. Loved seeing your care in moving the beast around your shop, especially when the casters were on.

[@budfahnestock2418]

my mother in law has had one of these blocks sitting in her garage for like 10 years, thanks to this now i can finally start restoring this thing

[@graydation]

If you lived close to Vegas I would come buy it from ya

[@RyanP57]

Hope the owners were really impressed with this. My wife is an art conservator/restorationist and I know she would be proud of how much effort you put into maintaining the original character. Top notch craftsmanship Kris!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you Ryan!

[@kriiigern777]

there are different "schools" but conservators keep from using modern products like polyester or epoxy. Also machine sanding removes a lot. So this is re-newing, and not restoration.

[@danturley8809]

I picked up an 1895 butcher block. I did the restoration myself. I know exactly what it takes to do what you did. Absolutely amazing. Congratulations on a showcase piece. Mine went to my wife. It is her favorite piece of furniture.

[@KrisDeVo]

1895 wow. I bet that thing is amazing. Thank you for the kind words.

[@AmyACox]

Growing up in a saw mill and seeing custom wood work, this piece brought me to literal tears. She is one lucky lady. That bowl was the cherry on top. Your work is beyond amazing.

[@nichegames9590]

That's pretty incredible. I love that the wood held up for almost 80 years.

[@magicgordo4878]

The big dude in the sky sees to that with some trees too.

[@wackowacko8931]

You might want to consider using some black oxide coating on the block thru-bolts after you clean them. It's cheap, it looks period-correct and will prevent the bolts from rusting inside the block for several hundred years.

[@JakeCharlson]

What's the purpose of those thru-bolts anyways? It looked like they were loose when the plugs were removed.

[@jonathanglukhoman5285]

@@JakeCharlson my guess would be to help keep it from splitting. Ideally.

[@WootTootZoot]

@@JakeCharlson The serve several purposes. One is the obvious to help prevent excess splitting. But, they also help align and hold in place the boards as the block is being built, especially during glue-up.

[@giovannafabbri9033]

Yes, it's a pity that they weren't also properly sanded, and put inside again still rusted

[@maplebones]

@@JakeCharlson To take up shrinkage. The only complaint I have is that the new plugs stand out more than I would like. .

[@jjohnson2553]

A buddy of mine came up with one of these back in the 80's. It was a rectangle and slightly larger with 5 steel rods. It came out of a butcher shop and it was dished out about 1.5" lower in the center from so much use. I planed down the top to get it flat and split it in to two pieces, 2 rods in one, 3 rods in the other. It wasn't cracked as badly as that one was. Made new longer legs for both pieces because the original legs left it way to low to the ground. He gave his wife the 2 rod block for her kitchen and his neighbor bought the 3 rod block. His wife still uses hers and says it's been the centerpiece of her kitchen every since she got it and her 2 kids are fighting over who gets it when mom passes.

[@frelnc]

I'm rather addicted to watching people who have your level of talent and workmanship do a project like this. I was absolutely delighted to see what you did with this wonderful piece of history. Amazing job, Kris.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you Mary Kay! That really means a lot to me. Cheers

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

I like to think that his skill will be transferred by bits and pieces to other young craftspeople who are just starting out.

[@mattblowers]

That stuff you are scraping out of the cracks isn't grime. It's beeswax. I have a very similar block. The proper way to treat a butcher block to keep it sterile is to melt and push beeswax into any cracks. It's a natural antibacterial and is food safe.

[@carlrockaway1696]

Wow what an amazing transformation of that old butcher block, I love it, job well done

[@oldsmokeeater7075]

Wow what a project with such devotion and skill. They got much more than they could ever pay for. Good for you

[@KrisDeVo]

Appreciate the kinds words, thank you!

[@alexdreher]

How you do your work; with how much craftsmanship and love to the work and the part itself.... the editing of the video and the time how long it is, all this is need to be set as a standard for all other youtubers ! I love your work! 👏🏻👍🏻

[@KrisDeVo]

I appreciate that, thanks!

[@floydloonie4880]

Wow!! The finished block looks great! As a professional Chef, I used an old cutting table just about like that except more beat up from decades of hard use. Now I almost wish I had taken the time to restore it like that, But I was too damn busy running the kitchen and putting out food to worry about it... Thank you for sharing this project.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you Floyd!

[@davidshettlesworth1442]

Thanks for sharing a beautiful rebuild and enhancement of the old butcher block. I learned a lot. Carry On Sir!

[@melodysimonson1510]

Absolutely beautiful! At first, I thought there was no way you could clean this up, but you took it to another level, and now it will last a long time. Great job.

[@leifhietala8074]

I love that the deepest scars survived the renewal. Hard work leaves marks. It's good that the stories, even though they may not be known in their entirety to the block's new caretakers, leave echoes that they can hear nonetheless.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you. I didnt want to hide the cracks, wanted them to stay as part of the story. The owners have had this for more then 30 years and love it.

[@danielmoran9902]

Beautifully put, Sir.

[@josephtudino508]

Well said

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

The only part that I found slightly distracting was the new dowels. They pop just a wee bit too brightly. Otherwise this is a masterful restoration in every way. Also the cutting board and bowl were loving additions.

[@texasmamabear9651]

You, Sir, are a Sage!

[@chadashton7029]

Sometimes I'd think it would be hard to give back a project like that. Not only the piece of history that butcher block is and the stories it holds but the love and attention to detail and craftsmanship you instilled into it...yeah...it's a thing of beauty for sure.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you Chad!

[@dianironfeather7785]

I have one exactly like that. Had it for years. It is in better condition than the one you’re working on. It needs to be restored also. I’m an old lady, nearly 80, but I think I can do this after watching you. Thank you so much. It’s been years, but maybe I’ll be able to enjoy it after all.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you and good luck!

[@johntaglia9378]

I have the same butcher block here in AZ. I bought it from a lady in CT. She said it was her grandmother's butcher block. I've had it for over 40 years & she said her grandmother had it for as many years as she can remember. She was late 60's when I bought it from her. Now I have to make some room & refinish mine. Great job, thanks

[@magicgordo4878]

We "restored" a similar block years ago. The center was "dished". We found a company that had a belt type sander that for a very reasonable sum made the top surface flat again. Yes they are heavy...! The block was from an old meat market and small grocery store in South Texas. Great job on this one..

[@dorisgodfrey448]

This is absolutely the most beautiful chopping block I have ever seen

[@KrisDeVo]

Much appreciated Doris!

[@georgebrill6549]

My Dad was born in 1905. He told me of going into a butcher shop with Grandpa. They had an old butcher block in the shop, and there was an old black man standing on the top with an adze. He was trimming the top in his bare feet. His feet were all scared and he was missing some pieces of toe. Dad asked him why didn't wear shoes to protect his feet. The old man said that he couldn't because then he couldn't feel where the high spots were so he could trim them.

[@KrisDeVo]

Wow!

[@rb032682]

😨😨😨

[@Jeff-jg7jh]

@@KrisDeVo Wow is right.

[@randynovick7972]

I'm just amazed that it isn't in a kitchen after all that. Nice work!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you. The casters were for it being able to be rolled into the kitchen just 8 feet away.

[@legadillo]

You’ve made me appreciate my own countertop cutting block that I’ve had about 30 years. I bought it at Bed, Bath and Beyond, but I spent some serious money on it, and it’s served me well, and is as sturdy now as when I got it. It’s heavy, so I can’t put it on the stove and burn it accidentally, and it has bun feet which keeps it dry underneath, is my theory. Thank you cutting block.

[@earlscaanlon4353]

I use flat black paint to give new wood an aged look. I spray on an sand to my liking.....its crazy how it changes. New to a hundred years old. Most dont even know. Theres alot to learn, and im wiling. Ive never burned wood, or took a chain an beat the wood. Cool beans! Thanks. I love your videos.

[@aubreyjackson9770]

This was fascinating, I was sad when it was over. So beautiful thank you for the detailed video.

[@stevegarcia5106]

Great job Kris, i would love to have this in my kitchen. I would build a nice end grain cutting board to work on and store it on the shelf when not use to show off this beautiful butcher block.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks Steve

[@SawdustmakerLori]

What an awesome job! It's wonderful to see an old piece of history like that brought back to life. You did a great job restoring it. I'm sure the new owners are thrilled. It will be a conversation piece for sure!!!

[@theresabraddock9310]

My grampa was a carpenter and made a big chunky table in the 50's with inset pictures of my mom and siblings at the time. I always wondered how he did that! Marvelous video and restoration. Absolutely beautiful!

[@peggyriordan9857]

I just happened to find this site today and I sure am glad I did. I love butcher block and this was a masterpiece! I was amazed how you cleaned this up, repaired it and put it all back together, plus made the cutting board and the bowl! All three pieces came out beautifully and I really hope the new owners appreciate all of the hard work you put into it. It was worth every second you put into it. They are very lucky to have you in their life. Just stunning!

[@slashwhatever]

Stunning work. An 80 year old piece of history ready to last another century.

[@KrisDeVo]

Appreciate the kinds words, thank you!

[@dontrump5277]

First off, impressive restoration. Well done! I don’t know who made them. When I was a teen in the mid 70’s, I worked for an independent butcher shop here in Phx. We had several of these (identical) and we used them to break down sides and quarters of beef, pork etc. The butchers would use saws and primarily big cleavers to hack through the meat and bones so the pieces were manageable enough to put them to the band saws. These benches had to be not only heavy but almost indestructible. I suspect the reason they were splitting is because we used a large metal brush and bench scrappers to clean off the suet and blood ~ then the unthinkable now, hot bleach water to disinfect the top. Hence the splits and the accumulation of dark grime/crap on the bottom. Memories...you wont find these in any stores now a days...Cheers from Arizona~

[@KrisDeVo]

Thanks for the good read and story! I love hearing about the history of these things. Cheers

[@dontrump5277]

@@KrisDeVo Haa..I’ll take the history stuff as a compliment as I head into my mid 60’s...lol keep up the good work!

[@kathyl5610]

I just stumbled across your channel and watched this video, I immediately subscribed! You are a master craftsman and it is an honor and privilege to be able to watch your creation. Anybody that didn’t like this video, has something wrong with them! I love to watch people create and honor tradition.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you!

[@trulsdirio]

Who doesn't love a small side project that takes ages to do and is hard work?

[@deliaguzman1138]

Fascinating restoration. I’ve often seen these and just felt like I wouldn’t be able to move the thing around to clean it up. I was impressed with your idea to fill with epoxy. And that super-fast tape-up looked really cool!

[@theSeaHag]

I was cringing and screaming at the mention of epoxy on a butchers block but, my gosh man, you do incredibly beautiful work!! Gorgeous!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you!

[@quinnthomas9965]

@@KrisDeVo so can you still use as a butchers block once you've used that epoxy to fill in the cracks? I didn't hear anything thing that mentioned the kind or whether or not it is food grade? I have pretty much the same looking butchers block but it has metal covers for the bolts/nuts. thanks in advance for your input or what videos i should watch

[@blackie75]

now you gonna have haunted steaks all around your house. you need a really old antique Worcestershire sauce bottle to go appease the spirits.

[@brianlewis9405]

Call it distressing the wood. Which is a terrible idea . I use to work for a company that made sold oak , cherry and maple the real stuff to make bedroom suites among other things. We tried this distressing the wood on bedroom suits it did not catch on a all people sent them back to us. They could not even get their cost back for these things.

[@judithfairchild8620]

😆🙃

[@birdenagage13]

@@brianlewis9405 BEAUTY IS ALWAYS IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER!! WHAT WORKS FOR SOME DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK FOR EVERYONE. JS PEACE OUT

[@rudolfboukal1538]

Amazing job! I am a life-long woodworker (professional) of more than 40 yrs. at it - so? .... Great job! Wonderful video (just simply fun to watch). Your dedication and patience was its own reward! - right to the very end. So enjoyed your taking the time to distress that pristine base you created - good call. Thanks for sharing your craft and your gift - wonderful results.

[@KrisDeVo]

@Rudolf Boukal I really appreciate the kind words! Especially coming from a professional, life long woodworker. Glad you enjoyed the video and thought it was fun to watch. Thank you thank you. Cheers

[@timladouceur3384]

While the restoration is beautiful, I must agree with others. Not only is the base too big, it simply looks like two seperate pieces jimmy rigged together. Separately, the base, the board and the bowl are Fantabulous!!! Your work is amazing. ✌️👍

[@colemcleod941]

Starting to think the very best editors on the planet are all carpenters. Top-notch editing! What else could make me watch a man sand a giant hunk of wood? Cinematography, that's what.

[@KrisDeVo]

Appreciate the kinds words, thank you!

[@chrissteed1790]

Absolutely stunning! I love the history, and you did an amazing job keeping the character, and giving this piece a new life!

[@andjuju6476]

I do hope they appreciate the incredible amount of love, skill & time you put into this project. Magnificent job Sir.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you for the kind words, really appreciate that Andrew. They really did and made sure I knew how much they loved it. Thanks again.

[@andjuju6476]

@@KrisDeVo A true work of Art.

[@KrisDeVo]

@@andjuju6476 means a lot to me. Thank you

[@YouWorryMe]

You got a small space, yet you make great work of it.

[@jenniferbassett3001]

You did a excellent job on this butcher block Kris...you ARE a true artist 💪💪

[@markcarey5673]

This was a very satisfying video to watch. You did a great job! What a beautiful piece of history restored. Your customer must have been thrilled with the results. Good job.

[@devildog7602]

You turned a giant piece of firewood into a family heirloom. Well done!!

[@mikehudick7074]

From the description and appearance of it, it would have been better kept and a giant piece of fire wood!

[@jimf6427]

If it's going to collect dust in someones living room it might as well be firewood.

[@jkr3008]

This is amazing Kris. I wanted to say "it turned out like a new one!" but in fact, it's even slightly better than new. Also, it's always a pleasure to see professionals at work. Keep it up sir.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you, appreciate the kinds words.

[@mrhermitoable]

That is what she said

[@laurelsheart]

That is such a cool piece. I’d design my kitchen around it.

[@AZFrank4x4]

Customer gets what the customer wants, I would never had put the base & wheels on it. My uncle had one just like it I wish I had gotten my hands on when he closed the butcher shop decades ago. Beautiful work you did. I'm always looking for one of my own.

[@Darknamja]

Watching this video brought back some memories. I worked part-time after school in a butcher shop for two years. Starting out my primary duties were to replace the sawdust on the floors and clean the butcher blocks with a brush scraper and salt. My arms started to develop nicely after a while. 😉

[@rambo8999]

Excellent! I am impressed by the time, dedication and skill you put into this amazing piece of work.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you very much!

[@paulnix1355]

No

[@stephenaelkinsactor]

You did an amazing job with that restoration. Beautiful work.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you very much!

[@KrisDeVo]

For those who would like to purchase a board I have a waitlist on the website. www.krisdevo.com New KZbin channel for all my short form content! kzbin.info/door/c44pBasVfxY699YnPMqStw The owners have had this for over 30years and the block is now retired to light duty. The casters were for it to be able to be rolled into the kitchen just 8 feet away. The epoxy was only used on the sides and bottom. Yes some of the epoxy is in the big cracks that run all the way through to the top. Food grade mineral oil and butcher block conditioner were used on the rest of the block. Danish oil is food grade after a 30 day cure and was only used on the base, little cutting board and bowl. The block was not flattened (by many different methods) to try and keep as much character and history. The small sander was meant to only take a little at a time as needed. Restoring something of this nature was not taken lightly by the owner and I. Just like many things there is more then one way to do a restore/refinish and more then one correct opinion on how to approach this. Lots of people have taken this project personal in a good way and a very small amount of people have taken it in bad way. I love all the great comments and any rude comments will not be tolerated here. Thanks for watching! PS the owners could not be happier how it turned out.

[@pmodd]

I don't see an issue with your approach if the client is happy. People on the Internet seem to forget that commissioned work is done to the client's specifications, not the contractor's, so the 'correct' way to undertake a project is whatever approach achieves the client's desired outcome within the hours quoted. If the owner is pleased with the outcome and you turned an acceptable profit, then you did a good job. I'm not into antique furniture, but it looks good for that style of piece.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you @pmodd.

[@KrisDeVo]

@Jeff K I thought i did, hopefully it is now. Thanks Jeff

[@thesun-N-moon8885]

Thank you for addressing that. Sometimes there's no one way in restoring an object. This butcher block is beautiful. I would proudly display and use it. The owner is very lucky! . It's always a warm feeling to see people restoring anything of the past.

[@josephtudino508]

There's always more than one way to do something... and this was your way. Great job

[@wb5mgr]

My whole childhood we had one of these in the kitchen, my mom still has it… It’s always been a part of our household. Just so cool. It came from my family’s store out of the butcher shop. I love seeing them. Ours is all dished in the center from years of use.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thats awesome!

[@cindysquirrelloffgrid9514]

wow thank you for the video, I just acquired my great uncles butcher block, it is so well used that it is bevelled in the middle from all the chopping

[@leisongivangomo5656]

Wow! This piece is much nicer than the one my parents had when I was a child! Exquisite work sir!

[@KrisDeVo]

Appreciate that, thank you!

[@inscrutableone]

This is so strangely interesting, it draws you right in. Your storytelling has a low-key but unique and compelling style, Kris. You're going to do great, will have a million subs in not so many years I think.

[@KrisDeVo]

I appreciate the kinds words Mark, thank you!

[@sean4839]

Great video. You're an incredible wood worker. But for those of us in the cheap seats, it would've been great to hear & see an explanation of how these grand blocks were originally constructed. It was hard to follow where you were going because I didn't know where the block had been. Don't be shy dude, we want to hear the Teacher, teach! Thanks

[@KrisDeVo]

Great suggestion thank you!

[@Christopher-pf8qt]

The natural wood movement combined with the through bolts will wreak havoc with your epoxy.

[@erikcraigo4155]

would it be better to use wood filler?

[@fourpressmedia2674]

This is an amazing transformation!! Excellent attention to detail. I'm sure the owners are thrilled with how it looks now.

[@gleniocc]

What an honor to restore a piece like this. Glad it was in good hands.

[@troybabs]

Amazing restoration man! Hats off. Bit of a shame though it sits next to a sofa and not in a real kitchen.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you! The casters are so it can be rolled into the kitchen which was where I was standing to take the video of it in the home

[@troybabs]

@@KrisDeVo ... Oh that's good to know! 😃Cheers.

[@colinbradford8126]

Just watch this video 📹 and it was great to see all the hard work 👍 you put into this. I was a cabinet maker and in 2005 I had a big stroke, and had to stop working .I used to love making one off pieces, so keep up the great work you are doing and please be safe. From colin bradford in Milton Keynes in the uk 🇬🇧.

[@raymondmills9377]

A work of art.

[@MrJrgrant]

Beautiful work, Kris. We have an almost identical block that came from my father-in-law's grocery business. He was a meat cutter and acquired this block from the store when the health department forced all meat cutters to discontinue the wooden blocks in favor of supposedly-more-sanitary plastic cutting surfaces. His block is now our kitchen island. One of our favorite features is a series of burn marks along the top close to the edge. These are cigarette burns -- the meat cutters had no compunction about smoking while they did their work and would lay their burning cigarette on the block alongside what they were cutting when necessary! Great conversation feature. A forester friend identified the wood species as sycamore on ours.

[@1771bubba]

Beautiful!! Man I’d love to run across something like that!!

[@thesun-N-moon8885]

Me too! I was instantly drawn to the video simply because of this… 😍

[@calebmoos7742]

Very cool video. I’ve always wanted to restore one of these. Just gonna throw this out there, you’re obviously a well experienced woodworker but just to pass some learnt knowledge along, the aging process looks way more natural on a piece this old and battered if you torch the new wood before distressing it. That way the deep color stays in the dents and since dented wood is more compressed and less willing to accept burns, pretorching is a simple way to get that look. Just a thought though! This was a super fun video to watch, thanks for the work!!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thats a really good tip Caleb thank you. Distressing this was a first for me so I will remember that advice. Glad you liked it. Thanks!

[@arctiknitter]

Many years ago my parents bought two of these from Wyn Brindle. The blocks came from Libbyville Cannery.

[@jbratt]

My parents bought a butcher block about the same size as that one back in the 70s. It was old then and used to the point where the center was completely concave about 3” deep. Thanks for the video well done!

[@thomaslloydcarey]

Fantastic work. You make me regret not pursuing woodworking which I think would have made me happy. Your commitment to quality is appreciated by me and I am sure others who have watched this video.

[@jacques5259]

Absolutely amazing restoration Kris, that is really something I would like to have in my house! Beautiful

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you very much Jacques. Appreciate that

[@fairdinkumdesigns7148]

Fair dinkum mate I didnt want this video to end. Love watching a bit of history being restored. Big thanks on an awesome restoration all the way from Australia. New sub for sure👍

[@jeremiahshine]

I remember 45+ years ago driving deeper into the Indiana Corn Sea with my dad pretty well healed from the North Vietnamese mortar shell and some uncles to pull one out of a dilapidated 150 year-old barn stuffed with treasures. With the help of the farmer's sons we got it home. It was twice as long as yours there and sway-backed like a New Jersey taxi horse from past use. Beeswax had been used on it. We'd get in from the school bus sometimes to find mom had moved it 20 feet across the uneven farmhouse floor. By herself. My dad always joked about her major rearranging: "If I was a blind man I'd be dead of concussion."

[@KrisDeVo]

Great story!

[@fangospucklovesveena464]

Thas funny s all giddyups, Boss.

[@jeremiahshine]

Sometimes he'd change it up to being a blind man dying of septic shin syndrome. What made it funny was that his shins were in a Vietnamese rice paddy somewhere around Tchu Lai. Not sure if I spelled that right.

[@fangospucklovesveena464]

@@jeremiahshine punji were coated w/ human feces- it was a real way of sayin' fucked for good...hope he made it ok. covers off, 1st salute.

[@jeremiahshine]

@@fangospucklovesveena464 He married a younger girl and they bought a horse farm a few years back to make a rehab place for vets and such. He beat 5 different cancers, had implant teeth before dentists knew what they were... He's in an electric wheelchair now...ever since he got drunk and fishtailed into a ravine rushing to get a shot at a chipmunk that was plaguing his garden and busted up a shoulder. Still mean as hell unless you're a stranger...lol. I'm currently disowned again.

[@JERRYMCELWAIN]

a really great job i am 71 and i am trying to learn how to do a little wood working.i don't think i could i could ever do that kind of work,i am trying to make just small things.THINK YOU for the video i loved it great job.

[@KyAl2]

Adding the base is such a brilliant feature.

[@daviddurham3052]

This video gives me hope. I recently inherited a large butcher block very similar to the one in your video. It was used for 75 years in a small company store in a coal mining town in West Virginia. It was then moved to a storage room in the back of the store where it sat unprotected for the next 30 years. The store was built and owned by my wife’s grandparents, Italian immigrants, and later run by their daughter, my wife’s mother. They lived in a large apartment upstairs of the store until my mother-in-law passed away late last year. If I can restore our butcher block to look even close to your finished product, I will be very pleased. I had a few questions about some of the steps / decisions that you made while watching your video, but I don’t know if you are willing to share your rationale or if it is even appropriate to ask. Please accept my apology if my inquire is out of line. I am not a professional woodworker like you. I am a bit if a weekend warrior with a family heirloom that we would love to bring back to use. If you respond favorably, I will ask my questions. If not, I will simply continue to watch and enjoy your videos while admiring your workmanship.

[@KrisDeVo]

Hi David, not out of line at all, ask away and I will try and help. My email is: [e-mail]

[@RsJaneP]

I enjoyed watching this. The only thing I’d want to be different (if this was for me), is for the bottom shelf to be a better match to the colour of the original butcher block, and, I’d like the wood plugs to be darker to pick up the dark distress marks of the piece. The light colour of the plugs looks too new and obvious IMO….but as long as the recipient loves her new butcher block table, that’s all that really matters, right? I can’t help but wonder what such a laborious restoration would cost ?? I’m sure it’s not cheap considering all the work that went into it.

[@steenfraosterbro3268]

Great video Kris. I don't know the man hours or the rates you charge, but in my country (Denmark) this would have cost around a 2016 mid-sized sedan.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you steenfraosterbro from Denmark. Yeah this was an expensive little project. Glad you like the video.

[@bradcollier7288]

Your attention to detail is mesmerising, you are a true craftsman. I can't stop watching your videos and admiring your skills Thank you for sharing with us Sir.

[@KrisDeVo]

Really appreciate the kind words Brad. Thank you!

[@julijopeterson7096]

This was so awesome! My dad did woodworking & I really enjoyed watching him work. Because I grew up with that I build my own things. It's so freeing when you don't have much fear in working with wood. And all of that is because of him.

[@KrisDeVo]

Thats great JuliJo! Cheers

[@MadsKirke100]

Now it, dont have any flavour left, with all that sanding :-)

[@jaysonbackes9279]

I just want to say, I'm very upset you didn't use a hand plane first.

[@senglomein5766]

while I do love me some hand planeing: this particular project---being comprised of quite a few seperate pieces of wood (not to mention the splitting)---a hand plane might've done more harm than good, ya know?

[@KrisDeVo]

Wasn't trying to flatten it at all. But that would have been faster...

[@hswing11]

good point sanding that oil/grease not easy

[@shedrankit]

My mom has one EXACTLY like that! I've moved if several times! would love to know who made them.

[@simpleman4196]

That turned out amazing. It's very cool knowing food was cut on that before WWll and now after your restoration and preservation it will survive another few generations for sure.

[@musamor75]

Nice job, well done. Lots of loving care, AND hard work. You've given this piece a new lease on life. God bless.

[@bearmt5287]

Is there a reason you have the hoses hooked up backwards on your dust collector?

[@KrisDeVo]

Ding ding ding! We have a winner. I was waiting for someone to notice. I mistakenly put it on backwards and somehow didnt catch it for 2 days or so. When I realized my mistake I knew someone would see it in the video.

[@Tripsaas01]

The new base is too massive and turns away the attention from the butcher block.

[@11bravo18]

Here's a warning. Sand epoxy, poly, and any other toxic material outside. Your fancy Festool gizmo only gets part of it and when you blow off epoxy loaded discs with compressed air, your blowing poison throughout your shop so that the finest particles settle on top of high shelves, etc, and can blow off and suspend in the air when you're working without a mask. Those are the killer microscopic particles that lodge deep in your lungs aveolar tissue where breathed gas exchange takes place and oxygen is absorbed into your blood stream along with your toxic epoxy dust.

[@TAllyn-qr3io]

I think he said that he and the butcher block reside in Alaska. I doubt they have many days that he can drag it outside. Partitioning off a two-car garage limits workspace as well. I bet he will end up getting a killer shop and then he can install a bad@ssed filtration system to alleviate what you pointed out. Sometimes you have to go with what ya got. 🤙

[@johnbarker1092]

It probably doesn't have epoxy, poly, and other toxic materials. You can't hammer on those sealants with food. Although I did hear, after poly cures it can be on charcuterie boards. That block is sealed with mineral, tung, beeswax... Shit that's food grade. I would assume inhaling those particles is prob not great either. *Also when I say "hammer" I meant hacking on it with a butchers cleaver. Just my opinion, idk shit about fuck, my friend.

[@louisrauzi3872]

And die in return. Remember Imron?

[@compunurse]

When this popped up in my list of recommendations, I thought I’ll take a quick look and see what’s going on. I didn’t really plan on watching the whole thing. But I did. And I was treated to 35 minutes of a master craftsman restoring a living piece of history. Wow. Thanks for sharing.

[@KrisDeVo]

Appreciate the kinds words, thank you!

[@JH-yk5se]

My best friend's grandpa had died at 103 in the early 90's. I went with him to his house to clean stuff up and help his family. They had a beautiful antique butcher's block that his grandpa's uncle had given him from the late 1800's early 1900's?? They were going to toss it out. I asked for it and they said yes. I returned the next day to my friend's grandpa's house and my friend's uncle was burning all of the stuff they didn't want in a pit in the backyard. Right on top sat the butcher's block. They burned everything that was in the house. I was beside myself. I always think about that story when I see videos like this. Nice to see another block restored 👍. Keep up the great work! Those things are so cool.

[@KrisDeVo]

That is heart wrenching. Im sorry

[@lasalleman]

Well done. Seems like a little overkill to me.

[@petergarcia1311]

My soon to be wife had both her grandparents pass away with in the same year recently and one piece she was reluctant to take was an old block similar to this which is in poor shape. I convinced her to take it and think about it before discarding. I would love to restore it for her in remembrance of them. I only hope I can do half as good of a job as you, but this video has steered me in the right direction

[@maryschiff9580]

It looks wonderful. I used to have a butcher block just like this one but it was definitely in better condition. My former father-in-law was a butcher and it came from one of the shops he worked in. I loved it and your ‘after’ version looks amazing. 👏👍

[@networkg]

A transformation to behold. From working mine kitchen to something worthy of inclusion in an art museum. Thank you for sharing.

[@urbanlumberjack]

Maybe those legs split because when tops would be washed and the water drip down the legs? Maybe it collected on the tops? I wonder if a changer or drip edge could be routered on the bottom edge to keep that from happening again. Awesome video, I’m building a butcher block and these restoration videos give awesome information on how they were built. Thanks again!