People can become nervous when cutting round fruit, as the shape is difficult to stabilise. The fear of slicing one’s fingers may be enhanced when larger fruit (such as watermelon) is cut, as it can be difficult to hold. The Fear Cut chopping board makes the process safer and calms the nerves.

Fear Cut makes use of some simple physical principles – slant and resistance – to create a three-force balancing formation for the safe cutting of round fruit. The cutting board is inclined at ten degrees above horizontal, forcing the fruit to roll towards the two ‘retaining walls’ at the lower end. The ‘retaining walls’ are angled inwards to capture the fruit centrally on the board.

Magnets built into the ‘retaining walls’ allow knives to be attached and thus conveniently selected to suit the cutting job. The board also facilitates a neater chopping environment, as pieces of food are captured by the ‘retaining walls’ rather than being scattered all around the board. Storage of the board is efficient, as it is self-supporting when stood on its edge.