The Makers Guide

wood vs plastic cutting board side by side on kitchen counter
James Verne | March 29, 2026
Wood vs Plastic Cutting Board: Which Is Actually the Cleaner Choice?

The wood vs plastic cutting board debate has a science-backed answer — and it is not the one most people expect. Discover how hardwood's natural capillary action actively kills bacteria, why the dishwasher advantage of plastic is largely a myth, and what makes a premium hardwood board the superior choice...

Wooden cutting board restoration on a workshop bench, ready to resurface
James Verne | March 27, 2026
Beyond Mineral Oil: The Complete Guide to Restoring a Wooden Cutting Board

Wooden cutting board restoration is not a repair — it is a renewal. This step-by-step guide covers diagnosing wear, removing deep knife marks with a card scraper or sandpaper, and finishing with mineral oil and beeswax. Discover why a premium hardwood board never needs replacing — only restoring.

Premium hardwood cutting board oiled with food-safe mineral oil
James Verne | March 25, 2026
Why You Should Never Use Olive Oil on Your Cutting Board

Wood cutting board care is simpler than most people think — but it requires the right materials. Olive oil, however natural it seems, causes irreversible rancidity inside the wood grain. Here is what to use instead, and why it makes all the difference to the life of your board.

End-grain walnut cutting board on a kitchen counter in Dubai.
Luca Dal Molin | March 23, 2026
Why End-Grain Cutting Boards Are Better for Your Knives

End-grain cutting boards are one of the most misunderstood upgrades in any serious kitchen. The way vertical wood fibres interact with a knife edge changes everything — from blade longevity to surface hygiene. Here is the science behind why construction method matters more than most cooks realise.

Woodworking instructor guiding a beginner student through a hands-on project at The Makers Society workshop in Dubai
James Verne | March 19, 2026
Why Woodworking Project Workshops Are the Fastest Way to Build Real Skill

Woodworking project workshops offer the fastest, most direct route to genuine craftsmanship — because building something real teaches skills that no amount of theory can replicate. At The Makers Society in Dubai, every beginner woodworking project uses premium solid timber and professional-grade hand tools, guided by expert instruction from start...

A woodworker at The Makers Society workshop laying out dovetails on a piece of wood
Luca Dal Molin | March 17, 2026
Why Hand Tools and Joinery Classes Are the Foundation of True Craftsmanship

Learning woodworking with hand tools and traditional joinery is not a step backward — it is the clearest path toward genuine craftsmanship. Our hand tools and joinery classes at The Makers Society cover dovetails, housing joints, and the precise chisel work that defines fine furniture making. For makers who value...