I'm about to start a new small project: a few end grain cutting boards as gifts, in a checkerboard design, using available wood I have on hand. These include black walnut, poplar & red oak. I'm thinking the walnut & poplar would be a better choice as I believe the red oak really soaks up a lot of water & despite using butcher block oil to finish it off with, I suspect that despite renewing the oil the red oak may still allow moisture, i.e. blood, etc. to be absorbed into the wood.
I’d appreciate your thoughts on this and please suggest other woods that “wood” be a better choice or cutting boards. Thanks.