ELBWOOD – The Hanseatic Penmaker

His brand ELBWOOD – The Hanseatic Penmaker moves with international ambition at the interface of applied art & design.

The focus of his work is the individual and small series production of high-quality writing instruments: Fountain pens, ballpoint pens and accessories.

The machines in the Atelier workshop are precise, old and mechanically analog. They are controlled by hand – not digitally. Frank Pressentin basically works from the full material and designs directly on the running lathe. Emotions are transferred to the work by hand – just like a sculptor. This guarantees that no piece is ever really the same. As he sees it, this is the only way to create truly unique pieces.

For him, luxury has nothing to do with overloaded ornamentation. He prefers minimalistic design paired with exclusive materials. His design language is clear and reduced. Function is immanent. A writing instrument – no matter how precious – is always a tool.

Frank Pressentin does not like things to look like they did on the first day after 10 years. He prefers materials that have character and naturalness. They change with time, develop patina and tell stories. If a thread squeaks, a drop of oil does help.

Time is the all-determining factor in his work. When wood is involved, the number of steps from felling the tree to completion adds up to over 400, which naturally limits the amount of products available.

Upon request, Frank Pressentin can make fountain pens and pencils according to your material and color preferences. In any case, a personal consultation by telephone or in writing is recommended.

NOBLE FOUNTAIN PENS ARE THE ESSENCE OF WRITING CULTURE

It takes time to be able to write beautifully. You reflect on the individual words and give them more weight through your own handwriting. A personal handwritten letter on high-quality paper is nowadays something extraordinarily valuable and far superior to any email in its effect.

If you want to give yourself and others something special, use a fountain pen and write with the hand. For these unique moments, Frank Pressentin makes the right writing instruments in his Hamburg studio workshop.

Writing culture meets craftsmanship – Precious, handmade fountain pens from ELBWOOD

Their design language is timelessly minimalist and reduced to the essentials. Clear design meets passionate craftsmanship. They are at once a writing instrument, a piece of jewelry and a design object.

“The form is the stage for the material”.

The fountain pen models are called POCKETMASTER, LONGCAP & SHORTCAP.

The POCKETMASTER is a compact pocket fountain pen for on-the-go, which reaches its full size by screwing the cap onto the barrel. It impresses with its elegant shape and the exposed triple thread that has been stylized into a trademark. This makes it a classic design fountain pen.

The LONGCAP is a masterful example of strict and straight lines. Reduced to the maximum. The perfect collector’s item for the desk at home.

The SHORTCAP with its striking profile shows unusual variance. It appears light and “airy” and impresses with its balanced and minimalist aesthetics. Geometrically clear and at the same time emotional, it cuts a particularly fine figure in the office or even in the negotiation room.

ELBWOOD WRITING NIB IN 18 CARAT GOLD & STAINLESS STEEL

The two large models can each be equipped with two ink cartridges or, in the style of the classic piston fountain pens, with ink converters. The pocket fountain pen is fitted with one ink cartridge. A sophisticated ink-guiding system ensures reliable writing flow.

The nibs are considered the heart of a fountain pen. They are specially crafted for ELBWOOD by JoWo Berliner Schreibfeder GmbH – one of the world’s most renowned manufacturers for this rare art.

You can choose between nibs made of solid 18K gold and stainless steel.

The gold nibs are available in the color variants: “yellow gold”, “rose gold”, “rhodium-plated” (silver-colored) and “bicolor” (logo gold/nib silver). The following line widths are available: EF (extra fine), F (fine), M (medium) and B (wide).

The stainless steel nibs are available in the color variants: “matt black”, “stainless steel“, “gold-plated” and „bicolor” (logo gold/nib silver) as well as in the line widths EF (extra fine), F (fine) and M (medium).

All nibs bear the embossed ELBWOOD signet. They guarantee absolute precision of the ink flow, the finest writing behavior and a harmonious style that is reflected in a perfect typeface.

The Hamburg brand for fine writing instruments

Luxury Fountain pens made of exotic wood, fine silver or pure gold

An extraordinary variety of materials is available for each of the three models. ELBWOOD offers maximum variability.

The basic editions focus on fountain pens made of brass, nickel silver and copper with fine accents of wood or ebonite. These editions are produced continuously. If they are not in stock, they can be pre-ordered at any time.

The special editions focus on a combination of the above materials and give more space to the materials wood and ebonite. In addition, the precious metal silver is used – pure or as a base material for the fountain pens made of wood or ebonite. These are limited editions. Which – once sold out – are no longer available for the time being. Early reservation is recommended.

Frank Pressentin fulfills even the most unusual material wishes of his customers with his custom made one off pieces. In this consultation-intensive “Bespoke Service” it is possible, among other things, to have a golden pen made. Rare woods, precious metals and noble materials such as mokume gane play a major role in these unique, handmade fountain pens. Exclusive materials for real luxury fountain pens with collector’s value, which make the hearts of writing instrument connoisseurs beat faster.

From time to time, unique pieces are created which are then available as a one time opportunity in the online store.

Handmade in Germany as an alternative
“We are experiencing a renaissance of handicrafts and manufacturing: This lets us discover pieces full of character: unique items that are not ubiquitous, but convey a feeling of uniqueness. ”
– FRANK PRESSENTIN

THE REDISCOVERY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

For far too long, arts and crafts was a term that was considered outdated. But with the change in values ​​of a new consumer society, many people are rediscovering the handcrafted symbiosis of form and function . The reasons for this can be found in the changed understanding of luxury. Where sustainability and individualization gain more and more importance, the desire for authentic manufacturing processes and durable materials is awakened.

All over the world, a new generation of artisans is setting new standards in contemporary crafts with the creative processing of natural materials such as wood, wool, metal, glass and paper. The use of waste and recycled materials opens up a completely new world of materials.

Every ELBWOOD fountain pen is “art & craft” in the best sense of the word : the combination of design and functionality, sustainable made of natural materials that will give you pleasure for decades.

WHY THE WAY BACK IS A WAY FORWARD

The decades of the affluent and throwaway society have changed our consumer behavior. We learned one thing in the process: the faster something is available, the less it means to us.

Industrial production can no longer give us the experience of something special , on the contrary: We see it increasingly as an over-saturated consumer culture that causes damage to the environment and society.

The desire for individuality and responsible consumption now runs through all areas of our life. Those who are looking for something special today will find it in sustainable manufacturing that convinces not through mass but through attention to detail.
A return to traditional craftsmanship as a sign of an evolving society. The label “Handmade in Germany” is increasingly becoming the epitome of a new luxury that is characterized by sustainability and durability .

Where past generations have elevated convenience to the maxim of consumption, in a changing world there is the desire for meaning . Today it is the time that flows into handmade production , the care of the process and the high quality of natural materials that we experience as true luxury. Longevity , sustainability and authenticity have started to replace brands and mass-produced items.

The way in which a product is created contributes significantly to its importance in this new consumer world. A society that for a long time only focused on material status is discovering immaterial values ​​.

UNIQUENESS STARTS WHERE PERFECTION ENDS

As you dexplore the ELBWOOD range, you will find that no ELBWOOD fountain pen is exactly alike. Craft leaves its mark. Where the human being is at the center of the process, there are no completely identical products. Handmade in Germany is a term that stands for unique items:

Small irregularities, traces of manufacture and deviations in the material are handmade pieces not to be understood as a flaw. They are deliberately accepted characteristics that make each piece something unique. Visible signs that testify to the individual process of creation and engagement with the material.

In addition, there is the natural aging process of the materials. Over the course of many years, an ELBWOOD fountain pen begins to develop patina . The wood and metal of the writing instrument change their appearance and tell the story of its use.

Perfection in the industrial sense is not the goal of ELBWOOD. Because how perfect an ELBWOOD piece is lies solely in the eyes of its owner.

TIME IS THE REAL LUXURY

It takes Frank only a few steps to get to work every day: a few meters through the garden lead directly to his workshop. It is here, on the outskirts of Hamburg, that ELBWOODs fine writing tools are created. With analog machinery, a high amount of handwork and with a lot of quiet and great care.

Time and again, it can happen that a customer is standing on the lawn. Not infrequently, visitors have come a long way to learn more about the history of their ELBWOOD piece and to experience the manufacturing process in person. Each of them is offered a coffee.

The choice of location, just like the decelerated way of working, arise from a fundamental conviction. They are the consciously chosen contrast to a fast-moving, global efficiency society that feeds a mass market with ever shorter production cycles. A counter-culture of slowness and appreciation, taking time to create something special.

This time is one of the most important components of every ELBWOOD fountain pen. The time it takes to design it. The time it takes for its wood to dry. Time to combine the right materials. And time for a manufacturing process that combines art and craft.

Precious writing instruments as Applied Art
“Contemporary crafts are a substantial alternative to mass production. Because where the manual process comes to the fore again, luxury returns to something special and unique. ”
– FRANK PRESSENTIN

BACK TO THE ROOTS OF LUXURY

Our world is changing, just like our values ​​ do. This change is also reflected in our perception of luxury. What do we mean today when we talk about luxury?

The democratization of luxury, which in past decades has satisfied a steadily growing need for status symbols through increasing mass production, has reached a point that has made us rethink the concept of luxury . A profound change. Luxury as we knew it has lost its importance. In its place we find a new understanding of the things that enrich our lives.

Fewer and fewer people are concerned with adopting an exclusive lifestyle or seeking social recognition through material things. The conscious decision for luxury has become a expression of our personal values ​​ and convictions. Individuality has replaced brand conformity. Sustainability and mindfulness are more important than status.

Luxury is returning to where it began: to the experience of something special.

Elbwood`s noble fountain pens and design objects embody this change in values ​​.

PERSONAL VALUES INSTEAD OF THINKING INTO STATUS

The consumer society in which we grew up showed us one thing above all else: the more we consume, the less it means to us. The concept of luxury is therefore moving more and more away from the tangible aspects of consumption, towards ideal values.

A new society discovers a new minimalism; an aesthetic world in which less is really more. Experiencing and witnessing are more important here than displayed status. The external effect becomes less important and creates space for an intrinsically motivated and deeply personal feeling of luxury and value.

In times of a sustainable lifestyle that wants to keep the environmental impact of our actions as low as possible, purely materialistic consumption is no longer a sign of style. The throwaway society has had its day. And it is high time for it.

Anyone who wants to create luxury today must value durable products and responsible production . Terms such as authenticity and intrinsic value, which in the past often only served as marketing measures, have to be a fulfilled promise in the new luxury. A luxury product is no longer sold through an attitude – it has to become tangible evidence of it. This is exactly what makes it something unique.

The precious fountain pens and design objects from Elbwood do not want to be understood as status symbols. They are not ubiquitous, they are not available in the airport shop or in the stationery store. There is no warehouse in which Elbwood writing instruments are piled up to the ceiling. Their availability is limited by the time and care required to manufacture them. The Elbwood concept is as individual as the people it appeals to. A very personal luxury that combines art and function . Made from materials that are idiosyncratic like the head behind the brand .