High Quality Products Made in the U.S.A.
Manufacturing
At Chosen Wood, every product is manufactured with a commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and responsible stewardship of our natural resources. We proudly manufacture our products in the United States using renewable and reclaimed wood whenever practical. We believe conservation and quality craftsmanship go hand in hand, and we strive to reduce unnecessary waste throughout our woodworking process by recycling usable materials whenever possible. These same principles apply to the occasional imported wood we purchase through trusted domestic suppliers.
Food-Safe Products
In addition to our line of handcrafted wood blocks, Chosen Wood manufactures wooden chalices, goblets, wine flutes, and other food-safe vessels. These products are available exclusively to registered customers through this website and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each piece is individually handcrafted and intended to become a lasting heirloom. While many of these items are created for weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations, they are equally suited for everyday enjoyment. All food-safe vessels are manufactured from new wood.
From time to time, Chosen Wood also offers tournament and championship-quality chessboards. These elegant pieces are crafted by our most experienced Master Craftsmen with exceptional attention to precision and detail. Designed as both functional works of art and heirloom-quality collectibles, they are intended to be enjoyed for generations.
Wood Selection and Drying
After domestic lumber is carefully inspected and sorted, it is milled to specification and then allowed to dry for an additional sixty days. During this period, moisture content is regularly monitored until the wood reaches optimal conditions for production.
Chosen Wood does not use treated lumber of any kind, regardless of its origin. When exotic woods are incorporated into our products, they are protected with beeswax during shipment to our facility. Any wood found to contain pesticides or chemical preservatives is immediately rejected.
Reclaimed Wood
The rustic beauty of reclaimed wood cannot be overstated. It gives many Chosen Wood products another century or more of useful life while preserving a tangible piece of history.
Old-growth lumber may be recovered from historic barns, demolition projects, abandoned structures, storm-damaged trees, or occasionally donated by local citizens. Regardless of the source, permission is always obtained from the property owner before any material is removed.
One of the greatest rewards of reclaimed lumber is its history. It is not uncommon for reclaimed wood to have remained in continuous use for more than 150 years. When combined with the age of the original old-growth tree, the seedling that produced a Chosen Wood block may have begun growing before the American Revolutionary War. Whenever historical information is available, that story accompanies the finished product.
Reclaimed wood requires two to three times the labor of newly harvested lumber and is often more expensive to process. In our view, however, the character and history of each piece more than justify the additional effort.
Natural characteristics such as wormholes, checking, spalting, weathered grain, and other unique markings are preserved whenever practical. Each reclaimed piece is appreciated for its one-of-a-kind appearance and history.
Reclaimed wood is generally finished using penetrating oils such as Boiled Linseed Oil, Danish Oil, Walnut Oil, or similar finishes. Commercial lacquers are usually unsuitable but may be requested. At present, Chosen Wood does not use epoxy finishes, although we continue to evaluate modern water-based coating systems such as TotalBoat products for future applications.
Quality and Craftsmanship
We take great pride in the quality of every product we manufacture. Every Chosen Wood block is individually handcrafted and custom made to order. Because of this process, same-day shipping is not available.
After engraving, each block receives multiple coats of premium furniture lacquer, with careful sanding performed between each application to produce a smooth, durable finish. Products finished with Boiled Linseed Oil, Danish Oil, Tung Oil, or similar penetrating finishes require an additional five to seven days for curing and polishing before shipment.
Our Commitment to Authentic Craftsmanship
In the interest of transparency, Chosen Wood products are intentionally rustic in appearance. They are not manufactured to appear perfectly uniform, nor are they intended to be free of the natural characteristics that make wood unique.
Although we use carefully selected hardwoods, precision machinery, and proven manufacturing techniques to produce our blanks, every product is individually handcrafted and hand-finished. No two pieces are exactly alike.
Each product possesses its own character, grain, color, and texture. Those natural variations are not considered imperfections - they are part of the beauty and authenticity of working with real wood.
Chosen Wood products are not toys and are sold as handcrafted novelty and collectible items.