My meeting with Frank Pressentin of ELBWOOD

Last month at the San Francisco pen show I was fortunate to get an appointment to sit and talk with Frank Pressentin of ELBWOOD from Germany. I wasn't sure what to expect and I already have a pen on order from his this year so possibly attending a sales pitch may have been pointless. But I have been intrigued by Elbwood since I first heard them. Franks craftsmanship and care are evident in the few videos I had seen online. And as I said, I was already sold on at least one of his pens, the Pocketmaster in Ebonite "Penmakers Atelier", that I have on order. So I went in with zero expectations and very few questions. By the time I left I had cried with emotion. 

Frank was so pleasant and thoughtful. He answered my questions (mostly about his process and inspiration) and when he found out that I already had a pen on order he asked if I had seen the ebonite he created in person yet. I had not and he showed me a Longcap that he had with him. As soon as I touched it I felt and instant connection. I sometimes have this happen with hand made items. I feel like the artisan leaves a part of themselves in the work they create, an extra ingredient that a mass produced item can not replicate, and I can sometimes feel that. The physical weight of the pen is perfect for me and the colors are intriguing. Frank then offered to show me a video of the creation of the ebonite. Watching the video and holding the pen the entire time I started to get emotional. And then it hit me. I missed my Opa. What does that have to do with a fountain pen you might wonder.  My Grandfather had a hobbyist metal shop and seemingly could make anything. Watching the video and holding this pen I suddenly remembered the metal shavings that invariable got everywhere. I smelled the machine oil and the wood and metals. I took a breath to appreciate the patience, creativity and skill that went into the things he made. I looked at the pen and the ebonite is the colors of the machines he used and the wood storage drawers and cabinets he had.   And I was crying in front of a stranger, who likely thought I had lost my mind, and was highly uncomfortable for me.   My grandfather cut my hair until I was 16, he taught me to drive and that doing the right thing is still the right thing especially when it's hard. He lived through difficult times and still found joy in every day. He lived 96 years and I suspect he didn't waste a day. He wasn't a perfect person but he was the perfect grandfather for me. All of that hit me in a few seconds and Frank was probably never going to be able to pry this pen from my hands. Luckily it was for sale and I went home with it! I use it every day. It writes beautifully but more importantly for me, it reminds me of the love of my grandfather and the beauty of Franks craftsmanship. 

A fountain pen may be a tool, an object of art or a fashion accessory, but THIS fountain pen is something more to me. It reminds me of a piece of my heart. If you're lucky, sometimes that happens. 

P.S. Frank also showed me some beautiful works of art he and his collaborators have done and continue to work on, he shared information on some commissioned pieces that are staggeringly beautiful and exhaustively well thought out and purposefully made. I hope to see more of his work over the years and I suspect I may also want to own more of it. If you have the opportunity please do check out Elbwood and Frank.