[Gifu city] It all Started with a Cutting Board Made for Wife, "woodpecker"

​"woodpecker" manufactures and sells various kitchen utensils, mainly cutting boards made of solid wood, in Motosu-gun, Gifu. Based on the theme of "living with trees," they produce cutting boards, wooden plates, etc., making the most of the characteristics of each tree. Using carefully selected wood, only the parts suitable for the product are cut out from a single board, and each one is carefully made.

Established in 2007, it is now a featured brand that is handled in more than 150 interior and lifestyle shops nationwide. This time, we interviewed Mr. Kenji Fukui, the representative of the company, about the secret story behind the birth of woodpecker's flagship product "Ginkgo Tree Cutting Board" and how to care for the cutting board.

Originally made for my wife
from a single cutting board

Woodpecker Representative: Kenji Fukui

Mr. Fukui was born in Gifu Prefecture, where the wood industry is thriving, into a family of woodworkers (craftsmen who manufacture portable shrines, Shinto altars, and Buddhist altars) that have been in business since his grandfather's generation. How did you start "woodpecker"?

Mr. Fukui: When I was a small child, I grew up in a place where wood shavings rolled around and wood dust danced in the air. Watching my grandfather and father work was probably the starting point of my career as a woodworker.

I started woodworking when I was in my 30s. I studied woodworking at a vocational school for a year, and spent several years training with a furniture maker and my father. However, to be honest, the woodturner's business wasn't doing very well, and I was worried about what to do next.

Then came a turning point. I made a chopping board at my wife's request in commemoration of getting married and having my first child. At that time, I learned from a lumber shop that I had known since my grandfather's generation that ginkgo trees were good for making cutting boards. That is how the ginkgo wood cutting board was born. ”

"Ginkgo tree cutting board" made for his wife

Mr. Fukui: “While actually using the ginkgo wood cutting board, I realized how soft it is and how easy it is to use. I thought.

Just as my friends were getting married or moving house, I gave them a cutting board made of ginkgo wood as a gift. Even though I had various people use it, I gradually realized that the ginkgo tree is quite good.

In 2007, I established "woodpecker". About 11 years ago. Woodpecker means woodpecker itself, and I hope that I can continue working with trees. ”

The goodness of wooden cutting boards is still worth spreading

Currently, woodpecker items are handled in 150 stores nationwide, but at the time of its founding, Mr. Fukui himself was the style to sell them in various places.

Mr. Fukui: “The first time I exhibited was at an event called “Small Craft Exhibition” held in Yanagase, Gifu. There was also a visitor, and I had a feeling that this was going to be good.

We created catalogs, business cards, logos, and websites for the festival "Earth Day Tokyo" held in Tokyo. I worked night after night with a designer friend of mine. I was nervous when I entered the exhibition, but I was surprised at the higher evaluation than I had expected.

While exhibiting at the event, I noticed that wooden cutting boards were surprisingly not well known. When I ask, "What kind of cutting board do you use?", most people answer, "It's a normal white cutting board." In that case, I realized that there is still a lot to be gained in terms of the merits of wooden cutting boards. ”

"Small craft exhibition" opened for the first time

"Earth Day Tokyo"

Mr. Fukui: "From there, we started exhibiting at events, craft shows, and festivals around the country. Since we only sell cutting boards, people make various requests, such as "I want a wooden plate," "I want a washboard," "I want a smaller size," and so on. We would say, "Well, we'll make that next time," or "We'll bring it to the next exhibition," and little by little, our product line grew as we reflected customer feedback."

"Sunday Building Market" held in Gifu Yanagase on the 3rd Sunday of every month

Mr. Fukui: "I exhibit at the 'Sunday Building Market' in Gifu almost every month. There, I bring products that usually not available online. Some of them have cracks and some are dark from the beginning. This is a good value for this reason. If there are any defects, please let me know because I will come back next month. I sell it with the stance.

They have scars and injuries, just like humans. If you can actually talk directly, you can also tell the characteristics of such trees. To put it a little cool, you can do "wood education", get a firm understanding, and buy it at a little value. That's not a bad thing at all. So, in the future, I would like to exhibit at as many events as possible so that I can talk directly with customers. ”

What is the charm of the ginkgo tree loved by chefs?

All items, including the flagship product "Ginkgo Tree Cutting Board", are made one by one by craftsmen.

A ginkgo wood cutting board that is loved by chefs and chefs alike. Ginkgo has long been considered a suitable wood for cutting boards.

Mr. Fukui: “Because ginkgo trees contain a large amount of oil, they are well-drained and have a variety of advantages, such as the fact that they do not retain odors.

Ginkgo wood makes a gentle sound on the cutting board when you cut it with a kitchen knife. Compared to cypress, it is softer and more elastic, so it absorbs sound. If the cutting board is too hard, it will damage the knife, and if it is too soft, it will scratch a lot. Ginkgo is neither too hard nor too soft, just the right amount of hardness. The blade is easy to hit, so the knife will last a long time. ”

Left: Ginkgo Right: Hinoki

We actually compared ginkgo and cypress.

Mr. Fukui: “Compared to cypress, which is used as a building material, ginkgo trees have fewer grains. It is said that they grow about three times faster than cypress trees. Because it's such a soft tree, it can't be used as a building material.

To use a wooden cutting board for a long time

Next, we asked about how to care for a wooden cutting board.

Mr. Fukui: "First of all, a wooden cutting board will definitely turn black. It's a natural wood, so it's strange not to turn black. Even in houses, the wooden parts gradually turn black, don't you think? It's the same, but there are a few things you can do to prevent darkening and keep your cutting board in good condition for a long time.

First, wet the cutting board with water. By coating the cutting board with water, it has the effect of making it difficult for the water, oil, and scum of the ingredients to penetrate. It is covered with water. ”

Mr. Fukui: "After using it, use a scrubbing brush to scrape out dirt from the cut. A palm scrubbing brush, which is softer than a sponge, is recommended. For vegetables and fruits, water and a scrubbing brush are sufficient. In the case of raw fish or meat, use a neutral detergent to thoroughly rinse it. Then wipe it off with a clean cloth. By wiping off the moisture here, you can keep black spots away.

Finally, let it dry in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight. You can hang it or use a stainless steel chopping board stand to float the bottom. ”

Mr. Fukui: "Even so, we become worried about the blackheads. So I took the planer scraps from which the blackheads were scraped off to the public health center and had them checked. As a result, there was no harm at all. It seems that it is a type of mold and fungus. There are many bacteria flying in the air, and there is mold that can be eaten. There is no difference.The other day, a similar survey was conducted on an NHK program, and there was no problem there. It's the result. It may not be easy for woodworkers to do this much, but I want them to buy and use our products with peace of mind, even if just a little."

To use carefully for a long time

Mr. Fukui: “At woodpecker, we also offer resharpening services. The woodpecker can also make re-shaving marks on the wood. The first time you use it, it will look like this for about a month. It is washed and dried every day, so it changes little by little. The color changes, dents appear, and that's part of the flavor. The wood of ginkgo is resilient, so it is not easily dented, but as you use it, the surface gradually becomes dented, so the leeks become connected, and it gradually becomes impossible to sharpen. However, since it is solid wood, it can be resharpened. The fact that it can be used for a long time in this way is the great charm of a wooden cutting board."

Resharpening is 300 yen per mini size. Shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer. The period depends on the congestion situation, but basically it is about a week at the longest.

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Chopping board actually used for about 3 years

A re-sharpened chopping board. It will look as good as new.

Just apply a planer and it will look like the photo above.

Mr. Fukui: “There is a person who bought it about 10 years ago and has it re-shaved every three years. They send me the chopping board they are using, and after a year of cutting it, they send it back at the beginning of the year to use it for another year. If you take good care of it, you can use it for 10 years.

When we send back the re-sharpened cutting boards, we send them an e-mail notifying them of their shipment. I'll give it to you. It's not the end after you buy it, but it's the beginning of your relationship after you sharpen it. ”

Mr. Fukui: "When I'm talking at events and other events, I often hear people say, 'I don't know what to do now that there are no people to sharpen it.' That's right. There are people who want to use a wooden cutting board, so it's a waste.

Right now, we are only resharpening our own products, but in the future, we would like to create a system that allows us to maintain products other than our own as well. ”