Walnut vs Maple vs Cherry: Which Wood Is Right for You?
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When you're choosing a handcrafted wood piece, whether it's a cutting board, end table, or keepsake box, the species of wood matters as much as the design. Each wood has its own character, color, grain pattern, hardness, and how it ages over time. Here's a practical guide to the three species we work with most.
Walnut: Rich, Dark, and Timeless
American black walnut is one of the most prized hardwoods in North America. Its deep chocolate-brown color with occasional purple, red, blue, gray, and tan undertones makes it instantly recognizable, and stunning in any room.
- Hardness (Janka): 1,010 lbf, hard enough for daily use, with a slight give that's easy on knife edges
- Grain: Straight to slightly wavy; often features dramatic figure and character
- Color over time: Lightens slightly with UV exposure, developing a warm honey-brown patina
- Best for: Statement pieces, heirloom gifts, cutting boards, end tables, keepsake boxes
Walnut is our most popular choice for customers who want a piece that commands attention. It pairs beautifully with modern, mid-century, and rustic interiors alike.
Hard Maple: Light, Clean, and Incredibly Durable
Hard maple is the workhorse of the hardwood world. It's one of the densest domestic species, which makes it exceptionally resistant to scratches and wear — ideal for surfaces that see heavy daily use.
- Hardness (Janka): 1,450 lbf, significantly harder than walnut or cherry
- Grain: Fine and tight; can feature bird's eye or curly figure in select cuts which we often use in our products.
- Color over time: Starts creamy white, deepens to a warm amber-gold with age and light exposure
- Best for: Cutting boards, high-traffic surfaces, lighter aesthetic interiors
If you want a cutting board that will hold up to years of serious cooking, maple is the gold standard. Its tight grain also makes it naturally resistant to bacteria absorption.
Cherry: Warm, Elegant, and Gets Better With Age
American cherry is beloved by woodworkers for its workability and the way it transforms over time. Fresh-cut cherry is a pale pinkish-tan — but within months of light exposure, it can deepen into a rich reddish-brown that few other woods can match. Usually, the cherry I work with actually is and orangish color, that is browning in color rather than a dark red color.
Hardness (Janka): 950 lbf, slightly softer than walnut, still excellent for most applications
- Grain: Fine and straight with a satiny luster; occasional gum pockets add character, can also have figure such as curly figure.
- Color over time: Dramatic darkening — one of the most beautiful aging processes of any domestic hardwood
- Best for: Keepsake boxes, decorative pieces, decorative furniture, coat racks, gifts meant to be kept forever, great for cutting boards as well.
Cherry is simply a remarkable wood species with the amount of variation in color of the wood. It truly is beautiful whether it is light orange or dark red in color. It works well for cutting boards, light use furniture, and more.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Walnut | Maple | Cherry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Dark brown | Creamy white | Pale pink → rich red |
| Hardness | Medium-hard | Very hard | Medium |
| Grain | Open, dramatic | Fine, tight | Fine, satiny |
| Ages to | Warm honey brown | Amber gold | Deep reddish-brown |
| Best use | Statement pieces | Heavy-use surfaces | Heirloom gifts |
Which Should You Choose?
If you want drama and versatility: walnut. If you want maximum durability for a working kitchen: maple. If you want a piece that becomes more beautiful every year: cherry.
All of our pieces are made to order in our Florida workshop. Browse our full catalog to find the right piece — and reach out if you'd like to discuss wood species for a custom order.