Not sure when - sometimes they are just logs sectioned and turned on end. End grain boards are supposed to be more durable and I think this may explain it:
If you take a broom and lay it flat and then take a knife and chop down on it, you will cut the bristles, quite possibly long ones. This simulates wood 'with the grain' or like a flat cutting board. If you then turn the broom such that the bristles are pointing towards you and then take the knife and chop down on it, the blade goes between the bristles and doesn't cut long bristles, although the tips may take a bit of a beating. This simulates 'end grain'. In reality, it's not quite that, wood being much denser. Imagine then, wrapping the broom bristles up as tight as you can and then you get closer to it.
I've heard this explanation many times and I love the visual simplicity of it.
-jim
If you take a broom and lay it flat and then take a knife and chop down on it, you will cut the bristles, quite possibly long ones. This simulates wood 'with the grain' or like a flat cutting board. If you then turn the broom such that the bristles are pointing towards you and then take the knife and chop down on it, the blade goes between the bristles and doesn't cut long bristles, although the tips may take a bit of a beating. This simulates 'end grain'. In reality, it's not quite that, wood being much denser. Imagine then, wrapping the broom bristles up as tight as you can and then you get closer to it.
I've heard this explanation many times and I love the visual simplicity of it.
-jim
