From the comments, I can tell that most people here, "don't get it". Just like with the knives, which are both amazing and an amazing deal (seriously, *try* good knives once and say that they're not worth it!), this cutting board is arguably worth the money. As for the knives, you should all feel lucky, I cannot "qualify" for the woot! discount as I'm left-handed and have no option but to pay full price, grimacing every time I see how lucky the right-handed, cooking wooters are!
What makes this expensive is that it is end-grain, which affects the durability, flexibility, and softness of the wood. A good cutting board will not dull or ruin your expensive VG-10 knives, such as the Shun knives frequently found here on woot. Furthermore, a good board can last almost as long as a cast-iron pan, that is to say, practically forever.
That said, I know little about walnut boards. I'll do some research in case this board appears again at a later point, or hope that they'll offer a maple version...
