We are ARTSN

ARTSN began with a simple observation: every wood cutting board looked more or less the same, performed the same, and failed in the same ways.

Smooth surfaces that showed every knife mark. Wood that absorbed every spill.

Mass-produced uniformity that turned an essential kitchen tool into a disposable commodity.

From Coconut Bowls to Charred Wood

Following a successful exit from Coconut Bowls, a globally recognized brand that sold over 1 million handcrafted products worldwide, ARTSN founder Jake McKeon traveled to Japan with his young family.

There, he discovered something that would reshape his approach to kitchen craftsmanship entirely.

"I was captivated by the Japanese concept of Shokunin - master artisans who dedicate themselves to perfecting their craft," Jake recalls. "And then I encountered Shou Sugi Ban, this centuries-old technique of charring wood with fire. I watched water bead on the surface instead of soaking in. I saw how the fire brought out these dramatic grain patterns that could actually hide the wear and tear of daily use."

Jake brought the concept back to the artisan workshops he'd worked with for a decade, the same partners who had helped him revolutionize how smoothie bowls were served. This time, the focus was on what he considers the true heart of every kitchen: the cutting board.

"It's where every dish begins," he says. "It deserves to be more than just a tool."

Our Philosophy: Imperfect by Nature, Perfect for Life

We don't fight natural variations, we celebrate them. Each board's unique grain pattern, the individual way fire interacts with wood, the particular character marks that emerge through charring, these aren't flaws to be hidden but features to be highlighted.

When you choose an ARTSN board, you're choosing:

  • A surface that actively repels liquids while others absorb them
  • A pronounced grain that hides knife marks while others display them
  • A unique piece that tells its own story while others repeat the same tale
  • A traditional craft in a world of mass production

The ARTSN Difference

We've spent years perfecting our approach to Shou Sugi Ban for kitchen use:

  • Selecting wood with grain patterns that will create dramatic texture
  • Controlling the char to maximize water repellency
  • Enhancing the pronounced grain that naturally camouflages use
  • Celebrating each board's imperfect, unique character