We finish all our boards using a 2-step process
First, we apply 100% raw linseed oil which is heated. By heating the oil, we get maximum absorption into the wood. We leave it for 1 week to cure.
Secondly, after our boards have cured for a week, we apply a heated blend of raw linseed oil and beeswax to seal, protect and waterproof our boards.
It is proven that wood has a natural ability to decontaminate itself, killing most micro organisms and bad bacteria, making it an extremely hygienic surface for food preparation and serving.
Caring for your wooden board
Cleaning and oiling your board regularly will preserve your board. If you use detergent or soaps to clean your board, be mindful that these tend to wash out the oil which help to seal the wood.
As a personal tip, we recommend that you only wash your board with hot water after carving meats, chopping veggies etc. Even with chicken just use hot water. The natural fats and oils found in meats, veggies and fruits help preserve and seal your board, giving it a natural anti-fungal, anti-bacterial barrier.
If you feel more comfortable with the preferred method of washing the surface with hot soapy water, then try to avoid complete water immersion and just rinse off with hot water.
Then, once your board has dried properly, apply any food safe oil generously by using a paper towel or small cotton cloth. We highly recommend raw linseed oil (not boiled!) which you can purchase from your local hardware store. Leave the oil for approximately half an hour so it can absorb into the wood, and then clean it off with either a paper towel or cotton cloth.
Note of caution when using Linseed Oil: Make sure that the paper towel or cloth you have used to apply and wipe off the oil is either fully immersed in water or burnt, which helps to avoid possible internal combustion.
Types of wood
Ruff Tuporo primarily designs its hand-made wood art from four New Zealand wood types.
Kauri
Kauri are known as one of this world’s greatest trees. These “gentle giants” of the tree world are known to have a trunk girth of up to 16 metres, grow to over 50 metres in height, and live for over 2,000 years.
In 1985 the felling of these giants was prohibited even on private land. Because of the scarcity of this wood, it has become like “gold” to Ruff Tūporo and a pleasure to create something out of if we happen to source any.
Kauri has a beautiful honey gold look and when seen in the right light has a golden hue with a speckle giving off an almost golden metallic look which makes this timber truly unique and stunning in appearance.
Rimu
NZ Rimu is Aotearoa’s most popular native timber. It is a medium density softwood known for its beautiful, reddish brown like appearance.
Ruff Tuporo likes to call it Aotearoa’s “red gold.” The dimensions found in our Rimu products are a rare find these days and are priced accordingly.
Due to government regulations deployed in 1987, milling of all Rimu logs was halted.
This is why we like to call Rimu, Aotearoa’s “red gold.” Sadly, very soon, this too will become as rare as NZ’s native, Kauri wood. This is why we like to give these rare finds another life through our Ruff Tuporo boards.
Macrocarpa
Macrocarpa wood is a medium density softwood which has a large amount of heartwood being a golden brown honey colour.
Macrocarpa is a moderately stiff, strong timber and one of the most naturally durable, exotic softwoods grown in New Zealand.
It is durable outdoors and can be used without any preservative treatment but its looks are greatly enhanced with the application of our raw linseed oil and beeswax blend.
New Zealand Pine
New Zealand Radiata Pine is an extremely versatile, renewable evergreen tree grown in Aotearoa and widely known as our most popular commercial timber species.
Radiata Pine is a strong yet durable soft wood, and is 100% sustainable in our current climate. Its growth rate is quick and it produces a good looking timber being renowned for its attractive grain and colouring. The heartwood of radiata pine is a light brown to chestnut brown colour and the sapwood is creamy white.
Our NZ Pine tolerates a wide range of growth sites from coastal sand dunes to sub-alpine gravels. It can grow for more than 150 years reaching around 60 metres in height and more than 2 metres in diameter.