Restoring a 1942 Butcher Block - Alaska

Had the opportunity to do a full restoration on this butcher block from Dec 1942. It spent almost all its life in a remote mine here in Alaska. Made for an amazing Christmas present for the owners wife. I really enjoyed this restoration and hope you do too.
The block itself is 30" x 30" x 15" and weighs around 400lbs. It was coming apart from the bottom drying out and was in need of serious restoration to last another 80 years.
I was never able to find the original manufacture of this block. If anyone might know please contact me. Thank you.
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Disclaimer:
Please do not attempt to do anything you see in these videos unless you are 100% comfortable in using these tools.
I am a professional and have been using these tools and more for 30 + years.
Some techniques I do are not recommended. You are 100% reliable for your own safety and comfort level of using these types of tools.
Every time you use some of these tools you are putting yourself at risk for major injury.
Please where your safety gear and don't try things beyond your skill set.
I am not responsible for your safety. .

[@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?????

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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. ✌️👍

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@carlrockaway1696]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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. 😉

[@davidshettlesworth1442]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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. .

[@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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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..

[@aubreyjackson9770]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@Raechel11]

Blocks like this are a thing of magic. My mother has one and as a kid I was not as nice to it as I should have been. You can tell if you know where to look but the wood has a lot of recovery to it. Then it survived me in culinary school and in all honesty three generations after I'm gone it'll probably look about the same. I would hate to inherit it anytime soon but regardless of when I do this thing's going to make me cry for all the reasons.

[@KrisDeVo]

I love this

[@trulsdirio]

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

[@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!!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@randallatkins7608]

Great video. Working on a 40 year old butcher block "island" right now. The process is what it's all about. Thanks!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you!

[@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

[@dorisgodfrey448]

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

[@KrisDeVo]

Much appreciated Doris!

[@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!

[@jenniferbassett3001]

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

[@deborahamy1225]

Great job! I am so grateful the new owners wanted to refurbish it to new life!! Thank for saving this wonderful piece of history and I am sure all the people who have used it in and since the 1940’s would be astonished at how good it came out and how well you did!!! God bless and thank you for not chalk painting it!! Hehe! 👏👏👏🇺🇸🇺🇸👍👍👍❤️❤️✝️💯 P.S. I would absolutely love to watch and see how one of the original butcher blocks were even made. If you were up for it, I think it would make a great video idea. Thanks🇺🇸

[@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 🇬🇧.

[@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!

[@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.

[@jensfischwasser6891]

Well done! I´m a chef and i know thouse Butcher Blocks very well. You did a very good Job. Thank you so much for sayving this beauty.

[@KrisDeVo]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@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!

[@chrissteed1790]

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

[@slashwhatever]

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

[@KrisDeVo]

Appreciate the kinds words, thank you!

[@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!

[@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!

[@stevenshewfelt888]

this video helped me forget about my day at work, i always loved woodworking and i even took like 3 classes of it in high school. thank you for the video and you did an amazing job of restoring/refirbishing a classic butcher block from the 40"s . Awesome job

[@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

[@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.

[@dondavis769]

Classic piece and creative fix-ems, thanks for taking the time to film and share brother!!!

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@laurelsheart]

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

[@kathyanderson5836]

So much talent! Perfection by perfectionist! Craftsmanship to the tenth power! Your studio/shop is every woodworkers ultimate dream come true! You are a Master! The right tools make anyone’s work more exacting, often easier, and contributes to quality of finished product. Of course! Put these tools into your hands and you make them sing. Your self discipline and patience..... really hardly found any more!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you so much Kathy!

[@JK-zi1rg]

So cool taking something that most people would have thrown out and turning it back into a beautiful center piece!

[@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.

[@stephenaelkinsactor]

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

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you very much!

[@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!

[@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

[@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.

[@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!

[@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… 😍

[@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.

[@musamor75]

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

[@donnamullins2089]

Labor of love. I could smell that old greasy gunk while you were scraping. Nice Christmas gifts.

[@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👍

[@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

[@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!

[@131dyana]

You put this video on line on my Birthday. Thank you. I enjoyed this great restoration.

[@starfish3704]

Beautiful transformation and a trip down memory lane. ❤

[@arctiknitter]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@Baydanzer]

What incredible workmanship building that block but also remarkable craftsmanship restoring it!!! Absolutely beautiful!

[@KrisDeVo]

Thank you very much!

[@JasonBarnett-YTisantiWest]

Stunning

[@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.

[@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.

[@MadsKirke100]

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

[@roberthoyle6442]

Great job and great video. I build cutting boards for family and friends. I absolutely understand the difficulty in repairing yet maintaining the character of the piece. My next project is repairing an end grain cutting board that I had approximately 250 hrs of work in it with 400 individual pieces in it. My daughter's ex husband (never a son in law) absolutely destroyed. 400 pieces of 3" thick walnut, maple and cherry now dried out, cigarettes burns, warped and splits and the feet removed. Really glad to get it back, but no telling how many more hours to restore it. This time it is my "keeper".

[@KrisDeVo]

Wow that sounds like quite the board! Best of luck on the restore Robert

[@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!

[@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]

[@gleniocc]

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

[@shedrankit]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@Tripsaas01]

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

[@bishop1735]

All I can comment on is if you truly LOVE what you do ......IT SHOWS!!!! Love that I found this channel

[@KrisDeVo]

I appreciate that!

[@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. 👏👍