Big Board Cribbage: The Double Knotty

We toyed with the idea of naming this board "The Double Naughty," but that's knot right and proper so we doubled down with "The Double Knotty."

This is a mighty fine board that's interesting for several reasons. It's over 2 inches longer than the two-foot Standard Cabin Board. That allowed us to really air out the peg lines and they are 22.5 inches long. The proportional spacing is really eye-pleasing. The board comes with two sets of metal pegs: Brass and Steel! Why? Well, we drilled the holes with a 3/16ths inch drill bit, foolishly thinking our 3/16th brass rod stock would fit. HAHAHA! So then we used a bench grinder to grind some tips onto the two inch brass pegs. They "fit" but their fitment is very firm, so to speak.

That's when we headed out to Tacoma Screw here in Idaho Falls, hoping for the proverbial Hail Mary Pass FTW. Sure enough, Tacoma Screw came to the rescue and outfitted us with #2 steel taper pins 2 inches long. Man! Those pins sure look sweet on this playing surface and they fit quite well. We Love 'Em!

Technically, The Double Knotty has 75% Live Edges but we rounded down to 66%. How do we calculate that percentage? EZPZ. We measure the total length of both edges. Then we measure the portions of both edges that have full bark coverage and divide the two figures.

The two knots didn't quite escape the drill bit but the holes are on the edges of the knots. There's a great sweep of wood grain running "upboard" to reach both knots. The effect is quite nice and easy on the eyes.

The Double Knotty lies flat which is a real bonus. We always include a shim with each Big Board "just in case" the board flexes in the future. We've been shimming our own personal Big Board for years and think nothing of it. It is The Way Of Wild Wood. YMMV.

We finished Double Knotty quite some time ago but the whole "peg thing" threw us for a loop. And then we noticed some sanding marks we hadn't seen. So we had to resand the board and reseal it, too.

So, why is the Double Knotty discounted? Good Question! There are two reasons and the first is what I call "hole edge chipping." I have experimented with just about every drill bit available for purchase anywhere here in Idaho Falls. I bought a new hot rod 3/16ths bit for this board and it still occasionally chipped a hole lip. (I've since switched to brad point bits and that has largely solved the problem.)

Second, I missed a couple of hole's alignments...not much, mind you...but the human eye is unerringly accurate. Each of those holes is probably less than a quarter-millimeter out of alignment but I consider that a reason to discount the board. I will only charge full price if I've done my absolute level best to make everything perfect...AND if the board's "confirmation" is near perfect as well.

If the Double Knotty was perfect, I'd be asking $65 for it, plus shipping.. So this is a pretty good deal if you're looking for a great beginner Big Board to whet your appetite for MORE!

The price is $50 INCLUDING shipping to anywhere in the Lower 48. Note that we can reprint the Certificate with your name or the name(s) of whoever you may wish to gift the board to. I've put a lot of time into this board and I know whoever buys Double Knotty is going to enjoy the special ambiance it will bring to their cribbage.