As the name implies, a butchers block was originally a tool used by a butcher. The block is made of wood, commonly sugar maple, that has been stuck together to form a thick block for cutting meat. The best butcher block is invariably made from hard woods.

Butcher blocks can be made with the wood grain perpendicular to the top of the block (end grain) or with the grain of the wood parallel to the top of the block (edge grain). Both methods make a durable butchers block, although end grain is to be preferred.

The reason for preferring end grain butcher’s block is that they keep your knives and other cutting instruments sharper. Most end grain blocks are at least four inches thick, thus they are both tough and durable. Repeated blows by cleavers do no significant harm to these blocks. Occasionally, the surface has to be re-planed and re-oiled, but with the great thickness, the block continues to be useful for a lifetime. This invariably makes the best chopping board.

Edge grain blocks are made of rails of woos that may be full length or jointed in construction. While these blocks are also durable, they are less durable than blocks constructed with the end grain exposed.

Until about one hundred thirty years ago, butcher’s would use a cross section of a tree, called a tree round, which was set on legs. With repeated use, the rounds would crack and split allowing meat particles to collect in the tree round. This became a breeding ground for bacteria and was not sanitary. butcher’s blocks are unlikely to crack and maple is durable so that it is long lasting without dulling knife blades. Even in the age of awareness of germs, the butcher’s block is considered sanitary.

Life insurance premium rates vary widely for several reasons.  How much does life insurance cost when you are in your thirties will be significantly lower than paying for life insurance in your sixties.  Your health, the type of life insurance you opt for and the company you choose are also factors that determine how much does life insurance cost for you.  Remember, life insurance companies are a business looking to make a profit.  They will do this in any way they can.  Please be sure that you really need life insurance in the first place before you buy any.

Your Age

Perhaps the single biggest factor that helps insurance companies figure out how much does life insurance cost for you is your current age.  The older you are, the more you will pay.  It’s that simple.  And it’s very difficult (or next to impossible) to lock into a fixed monthly premium (like you can do with loans or mortgages).  As you age, your life insurance premiums will go up.  You can guarantee it.  The reason is because as you age, you are more likely to die.

The Type

Another huge factor that helps insurance companies figure out how much does life insurance cost for you is the type of insurance that you are getting.  Are you getting term insurance? Or is it whole life insurance?  How long is this coverage to last?  One year?  Thirty years?  The least expensive is term life insurance.  However, the more you age, the more you pay.  Every time you reach the end of your “term”, your “renegotiate” your premium (in other words, the company raises the rates.  You don’t actually get to argue this.)

Why is whole life insurance and universal life insurance so much more expensive?  Because your premiums don’t go entirely towards paying for your policy.  A part of your policy money goes into investments which (hopefully) make beneficiaries get a lot more money after you die.  The life insurance company is usually the one that does the investing.  None of this happens with term life insurance.

The Company Itself

The other major factor that helps insurance companies figure out how much does life insurance cost for you is the company’s own rates.  Life insurance is a product.  Just like with any other product, you are going to have some companies charge more than others.  A successful life insurance company with an A+ rating on Standard & Poor’s can charge a lot more than some brand new life insurance company.  However, with life insurance, you generally get what you pay for.