I just received one of the 13" "ironwood" chopping blocks that I ordered from the wokshop, and the shop emailed me these instructions:
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Chinese Ironwood Chopping Block (common names: lignum vitae, guajacum, guaiac)
Please observe the very important seasoning instructions for the ironwood block from China. (lignum vitae tree) This wood is one of the hardest; has several fats and resins that makes it self lubricating and almost impervious to water. (used in shipbuilding) Upon receipt and when you remove the wrapping, immediately soak totally immersed in hot water. Leave in water for a couple of days (if you think of it, drain cold water and soak again in hot water.) When removed from its soaking, let drip dry on its side. While board is still damp, add oil generously and that should prevent it from cracking, splitting , etc. By using the block, you will be keeping it damp (wiping it with a damp cloth and oiled when you cut up meats, chicken etc (naturally oiled.) Store on its side and hook will act as stopper and prevent block from rolling or hang it(comes with hook)
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But this "chinese ironwood" is obviously not lignum vitae (guiaicum), since that genus only grows in the caribbean, Mexico, and South America (and is banned from export/trade by CITES II). Further research has led me to believe that these "chinese ironwood" blocks are made from one of the species of hornbeam (genus carpinus), which is also an extremely heavy and dense wood, and has well over 20 different species that grow in China and southeast asia. Whatever it is, the block I received is a very dense wood, and I just started it soaking in hot water as instructed - it is dense enough that it immediately sinks in water. When I get done soaking it, I'll post a pic, but this one does not include the center of the tree trunk, so the grain is more crosswise, instead of circular around the center, and is probably less likely to split. This was advertised as being 1 1/2" thick, but the one I received is 1 5/8" thick, and has really beautiful grain, with about 2/3 of the surface being a darker wood and 1/3 being a lighter wood. It does not have a reddish color and looks nothing like ndogs - it's a darker and lighter brown color.
