My boards are solid hardwood, built to last.  Not some cheap veneer that you cant refinish when it gets damaged.  Mine can be refinished.  I sanded the board down to 600 grit, and then finished with 3 layers of my own mix of oils and varnish.  Once that oil/varnish mixture has cured, I give it a coat of wax.  The result is a smooth finish that does not cover up the grains of the woods.  You can run your hand over it and almost feel the grain.  It does not feel like plastic, nor does it look like plastic.  Why pay the money for beautiful hardwoods, if you are just going to use a plastic feeling finish on them.  

I try to source everything locally (minus the purple heart in this case), and dont use any imported hardware.  I try to keep my prices as low as I can, but cant compete with sweatshops from overseas.  I think the beauty in my products speak for themselves.  I have sold dozens of these, and they have all been loved.  Add in the dozens I have given away as presents.  I take great pride in everything I build.  I test out each design in my own home to make sure it will work before building and selling them.  Everything I sell helps my pay for my boys schooling/music programs.  

Thanks for your time,