These butcher block countertops are made in the USA by John Boos & Co. Hard rock maple is the most popular North American hardwood because of its hardness and durability, as well as its neutral color palatte. End-grain butcher blocks are constructed by thermo-bonding together short strips of wood standing on their ends and arranged in a grid pattern. The result is a block surface that resembles a checkerboard and displays a variety of colors and grain patterns. These particular counter tops are 7 inches thick, 25 inches wide and 36 inches long. Each is finished with a coating of food-safe natural oil, making it safe to be cut upon. The highly firous ends of the sawed wood pieces are able to absorb the sharp edges of knives without dulling their blades.