Chapter 01
From Scrap to Signature
My journey with wood didn't start in a high-end studio. It started in a crating company warehouse, where I worked as a lumber buyer. I began taking home the "scraps" of plywood and pine that were headed for the bin, turning them into small home decor pieces. What started as a "little Etsy shop" dream with my wife, Jessikah, quickly evolved into an obsession with the world's most beautiful hardwoods.
About Caleb White, Marine Veteran Woodworker
White Oaks Woodworking is a veteran-owned woodworking shop in Pflugerville, Texas. I'm Caleb White, a Marine veteran and father of two, and I build every butcher block, cutting board, knife rack and pen by hand, one at a time.
What we build
- End grain butcher blocks, 3" thick for pitmasters and BBQ restaurants
- 2" cutting boards and butcher blocks and 1.5" edge grain boards for home kitchens
- Magnetic knife racks with the magnets hidden inside the wood
- Hand-turned wood pens
- Board Butter, the beeswax and carnauba wax we finish our own boards with
Trusted by Texas BBQ joints
Our blocks work the cutting stations at Snow's BBQ, Vaqueros Texas Bar-B-Q, KG BBQ, Rossler's Blue Cord Barbecue, Burnt Bean, Edge Craft Barbecue and more, and we build for Texas Monthly Top 50 pitmasters. See the blocks we've built.
How we work
Every board is glued, flattened, sanded and finished in our shop with food-grade mineral oil and our own Board Butter. Made-to-order boards ship in 3–5 weeks, and we ship to all 50 states. Want something built to your size? Start with our custom order form.
Pflugerville, Texas · Marine Veteran · Father of Two
The Hands Behind the Sawdust
A Marine. A father.
I live with an intense ADHD hyperfocus. This is how White Oaks came to be.
Chapter 02
The Power of Hyperfocus
I’ll be the first to tell you: I’m a bit "much." I’m a father of two, a Marine, and I live with an intense ADHD Hyperfocus. In woodworking, that "muchness" is my greatest asset. It’s why I spend hours on a single inlay, ensuring the tolerances are so tight they look seamless. I use Photoshop and modern technology to create vectors, treating different wood species like ink to "paint" logos and art directly into the grain.
If it isn't perfect, it doesn't leave the shop.
— The Maker, White Oaks Woodworking
Chapter 03
Resilience & Brotherhood
The White Oaks story is one of "one foot in front of the other." We’ve faced the dark days of bankruptcy and debt, but we never lost hope. Through the support of the Semper Fi & America’s Fund Apprenticeship, I found my way back to the craft. Now, I dedicate my time to building a social net for other veteran woodworkers—sharing advice, building camaraderie, and proving that there is life and beauty after the uniform.
Why it matters
I don't believe in an afterlife, so I want to make the most of the time we have here. I remember my grandfather making dollhouses in his garage—the love he put into those unique pieces stayed with me. At White Oaks, we aren't just selling a product; we’re sharing a process. From the "yapping" on my Instagram stories to the "oil pop" videos I send my customers, I want you to feel the same rush on delivery day that I feel every time I finish a build.
"Let's build something your grandkids will fight over."
Caleb White, Founder — White Oaks Woodworking