Built by Hand. Built to Last.
At Rugged Woodworking, we believe the things you use every day should be made with care, quality materials, and a purpose.
That's why our cutting boards start with something remarkably simple: one solid piece of hardwood.
No glued strips. No laminates. No stains or dyes. Just beautiful hardwood, carefully crafted in our Cedar City, Utah workshop and made to be used for years.
The Story Behind Rugged Woodworking
My name is Mason Johnston, and I started Rugged Woodworking when I was 15 years old.
My interest in woodworking began in a middle school woodshop class, where I discovered how much I enjoyed working with my hands. There’s something incredibly satisfying about taking a raw piece of wood and turning it into something beautiful, functional, and made to last.
A few years later, I started building cutting boards in my garage. What began as a small woodworking project quickly grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined.
Today, I’m the founder and owner of Rugged Woodworking, and what started in that garage has grown into a small family business. Together, our family helps handcraft, finish, package, and ship our products from our workshop in Cedar City, Utah to homes across the country.
While the business has grown, the principles behind it haven't changed: use quality materials, keep things simple, pay attention to the details, and make products we're proud to put our name on.
What Makes Our Boards Different
Most wooden cutting boards are made by gluing multiple pieces of wood together. Ours aren't.
Each Rugged Woodworking cutting board is crafted from one solid piece of premium hardwood, carefully shaped, sanded, and finished in our Utah workshop.
No glue joints. No laminates. No shortcuts.
Choose from four distinctive hardwoods:
American Black Walnut — Rich chocolate-brown tones and distinctive grain for a warm, classic look.
American Hard Maple — Light, creamy coloring with a clean appearance and excellent durability.
American Cherry — Warm reddish-brown tones that naturally deepen and become richer with age.
Padauk — Naturally bold red-orange coloring with striking grain for a board that truly stands out.
A Simple, Natural Finish
We believe beautiful hardwood doesn't need to be covered up.
Our boards are finished with a simple blend of:
🌿 USDA Certified Organic fractionated coconut oil
🌿 Organic carnauba wax
🐝 Local beeswax
That's it.
No mineral oil. No stains. No dyes. No synthetic finishes.
The finish helps nourish and protect the wood while allowing its natural grain, color, and character to remain the star.
What We Stand For
🪵 ONE SOLID PIECE
No glued strips, laminates, or seams. Each cutting board begins with a single piece of real hardwood.
🌿 SIMPLE INGREDIENTS
A simple finish made with organic oils and waxes—without mineral oil, stains, or dyes.
HANDCRAFTED IN THE USA
Made in our Cedar City, Utah workshop with attention to quality and detail.
🤲 QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
We're not interested in making the most cutting boards. We're interested in making boards we're proud to send to your home.
What Our Customers Are Saying
"It's evident that Mason takes great pride in the quality of his work right down through all the finer details. It's noticeable. It's appreciated."
— MD Olson, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Verified Buyer
“Wow, what a pleasure to feel and work on. Thanks for the great craftsmanship and communication about the product. ... Your product is superior in finish, readiness to use, and product information and care. I will tell others! 😊”
— Wendy Waller, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Verified Buyer
"I feel like this will be a loved heirloom piece. I can't stop looking at it!"
— Ashley, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Verified Buyer
"Excellent quality, would buy again. Great seeing a solid, non-toxic product."
— Brock, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Verified Buyer
Thank You for Being Here
What started as a small project has grown into a family business we're incredibly proud of. Every order helps us continue doing what we love, and we're grateful for the support that makes it possible.
We're committed to using quality materials, careful craftsmanship, and never taking unnecessary shortcuts.
Thank you for supporting Rugged Woodworking and the dream that started it all.
— Mason Johnston
Founder & Owner, Rugged Woodworking
