Occasionally, a piece calls out for special attention, like the slab of salvaged heart pine left over from a bench that Tom and Kevin had built earlier. A working shop generates lots of scrap wood, most of which is usually too small and common for anything except kindling. You can use salvaged or scrap wood to create and end grain cutting board. What Is the Best Wood to Use for an End Grain Cutting Board? If that sounds like an appealing use of your time, just follow the steps ahead. Instead of spending $100 or more for an end-grain cutting board, spend a few enjoyable hours in the shop building your own one-of-a-kind piece.