I have Ikea butcher block counters, and some soapstone around my sink. I really really love the butcherblock. I love having wood counters in my kitchen. They look and feel warmer than granite, which I've had in all my previous kitchens (and Corian, which I dislike because it feels so plasticy to me).

They require a little more maintenance, at least at first. I used Ikea's oil finish, and I had to hand rub six coats onto the counters, waiting 12 hours between each coat. Now, the counters are fine, wipe clean easily, and are no more maintenance than was granite. I love how they look. My soapstone looks crummy, needs oiling all the time, and has water spots from the sink. If I could do it over again, I'd put wood around my main sink too, but DH insisted we had to have stone around the main sink. We have Ikea butcherblock around our prep sink and there's no problem with staining, etc.

I love John Boos butcherblock, so that would be an option for you, but it would raise the height of your counters by an inch or so if you go with the one that sits on top. That could be an advantage or not, depending on how tall you are. I don't cut on my counters. I have a butcherblock cutting board that sits on top of my island, which is also butcherblock. So even if you get butcherblock, you may end up with the John Boos cutting board on top.

Exactly what I wanted to know. Thanks so much for your response.