Cutting board handle question.

[Stephen L King]

I am building some large end grain cutting boards for Christmas presents. My wife wants handles cut into the end of the boards , and wants me to match the handle the she has on one of hers. These boards are 14 inches by 22 and are 1 inch thick. They are made up of hard maple and cherry in a checkerboard style with the squares 1 3/4 wide. When I lay out the handle to match the existing one it puts the bottom edge of the handle cut at the first glue joint. These were glued up with Titebond III. Should this be okay or should I move the opening one way or the other to get it off the line?

[Dwayne Watt]

Structurally it will be fine. If the look bothers you, then lengthen or shorten the handle cut a wee bit. No one will notice, including your wife.