Hamburg is home to many renowned artists, craftsmen, and manufacturers, with Montblanc likely being the first brand that comes to your mind. However, the city holds many other hidden gems worth discovering — one of them being Elbwood, a particularly unique brand that has recently caught our eye. If the name doesn’t ring a bell yet, keep reading as we unveil its story.
The Artisan Behind ELBWOOD
Frank Pressentin, the founder of Elbwood, started this journey out of pure passion, and you can truly see it in his creations. Originally a social worker, he shifted paths to follow his vocation for craftsmanship, fine materials, and design, which ultimately led to the founding of the Elbwood — a name that pays homage to Hamburg’s iconic Elbe River.
Every pen he has crafted is proof that passion is at the heart of everything produced in the small atelier — from unique designs and precious materials like gold and silver to the intricate, handcrafted decorating techniques. Each creation reflects the founder’s dedication to craftsmanship, extending far beyond the product itself, something you rarely see these days. Unlike mass-production manufacturers that focus on producing thousands of writing instruments each year, Elbwood is more like an artisanal brand with a different approach, prioritizing quality over quantity.
All the writing instruments are made entirely in-house, by hand, in the Hamburg-based atelier, with annual production estimated at around 200 pieces. ‘I’m not a classic manufacturer; I’m an artisan, making every fountain pen myself. The only part I don’t craft personally is the nib, which comes from the renowned nib brand JoWo,’ says founder and master craftsman Frank Pressentin.
The Manufacturing Process – Craftsmanship & Tradition
At Elbwood’s workshop, craftsmanship is elevated to an art form, and that translates into the absence of any industrialized or automated process. The founder uses only his skills and traditional machinery, foregoing help from any advanced tools. ‘There is no computerized technique involved, no industry, and no suppliers from abroad. Everything takes place in this atelier,’ says Frank. With every piece made by hand, the craftsman ensures no two Elbwood pens are alike, and that is exactly what gives them so much character.
From the initial sketches to the final polishing, each pen undergoes a slow, meticulous process under Frank’s watchful eye — because, for him, quality is what matters most. ‘For every step in the making I have a certain tool and I change them by hand all the time’ says the craftsman, while cutting a sterling silver rod.
Minimalist Design, Timeless Charm
Elbwood’s design philosophy is rooted in simplicity and inspired by precision. The founder sees his creations as simultaneously high-quality writing instruments, pieces of jewelry, and design objects. On the website, you can choose from three categories — Editions, Bespoke, and Precious — each defined by clean lines, functional design, and a balanced form that makes writing a truly enjoyable experience.
The regular editions come in three model variations: POCKETMASTER, LONG CAP, and SHORT CAP, each model featuring a unique combination of materials — including wood, gold, silver, ebonite, and copper — offering a total of 24 distinct options. In addition, Elbwood offers a Bespoke service, born from the desire to give customers complete freedom of expression. The last category, called Precious, is dedicated to the most exquisite and luxurious designs crafted in the atelier. These highly sought-after pieces are made from precious materials such as solid gold, mokume gane, and solid silver.
One of Elbwood’s signature decorative techniques is the hammer blow, which, according to Frank, creates a unique look and an extraordinary haptic experience. This manual process is both intricate and physically demanding, often requiring several days to complete the final piece. The founder emphasized that he takes as much time as necessary to ensure every design is flawless. As you can see, true art is never rushed.
Pricing
When it comes to pricing, Elbwood offers a wide range of options, with the most affordable edition starting at €395.00 and the most expensive piece, from the Precious series, priced at €46,000.00
To learn more about Elbwood, visit their website and watch an in-depth tour of their Hamburg workshop on YouTube here.
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