Edge grain cutting boards are made by joining strips of hardwood together so that the long grain of the wood forms the cutting surface. These boards retain moisture better than end-grain boards, meaning they require less frequent oiling, but are not quite as forgiving as an end grain cutting board is on your knives. However, edge grain boards are far better on knives than other cutting surfaces, such as plastic or glass, or even face grain wood. Plus, any knife marks can be lightly sanded, followed by a coating of cutting board oil/conditioner, and the board is practically new again.