Choose maple for the lighter-colored hard-maple option; choose walnut if you prefer the darker tone of American black walnut. This matched John Boos pair holds size and construction steady: both selected R01 boards are listed at 18 × 12 × 1.5 in, edge grain, reversible and oil-finished.
A matched maker example
John Boos lists two R01 boards with the same dimensions and construction. The maple R01 and walnut R01 make the choice concrete. The table uses the dimensions and construction in each listing’s Specifications field; check the selected size before ordering.
| Selected R01 model | Maple | Walnut |
|---|---|---|
| Wood listed | Northern hard rock maple | American black walnut |
| Construction | Edge grain | Edge grain |
| Size / thickness | 18 × 12 × 1.5 in | 18 × 12 × 1.5 in |
| Shared features | Reversible; recessed finger grips; oil finish | |
In this matched example, both boards share the same footprint, thickness and construction; the wood species and resulting color are the main distinctions. This is one maker’s pair, not a species-wide performance rule. John Boos describes hard maple as strong and dense, and American black walnut for its durability and rich tones.
Make the choice fit your kitchen
For a different model, compare the actual dimensions, thickness and weight again. A larger or thicker board may be less convenient to lift to the sink; feet, grooves and handles also change how it stores and cleans. Check the working face, counter space, sink access and drying area before choosing. For a second material-specific comparison, see the listed sizes and care for olive-wood boards in our olive wood cutting-board guide.
Keep care model-specific
The two listed R01s have an oil finish. John Boos gives care directions for its own boards; another maker’s finish, glue-up or surface treatment may call for a different routine. Do not soak a board or send it through a dishwasher unless its manufacturer explicitly permits that.
For a knife-focused material comparison, see the existing cutting-board guide. For grain orientation, use the end-grain versus edge-grain comparison. Choose a species for the look and maker-listed choice you prefer, then decide by the dimensions and care of the exact model.
For more practical tool decisions by task, visit the kitchen tools guide.