Checking the beam
We look at cracks, grain direction, old joints and substance. If the material does not carry, it does not become an Erbstück.
Limited timber-frame series
200-year-old wood. Rebuilt for decades.
Each board is made from historic oak beams from old half-timbered houses. Shape, grain and size are set by the material, not by series production.
- Historic timber beams
- Made only on request
- Each piece unique
- Handcrafted in Central Hesse
The material
Old beams, limited possibilities.
The Erbstück series starts with historic oak beams from old half-timbered houses. This wood is not clean, uniform or endlessly available. It comes with cracks, colour shifts, old joints, nail marks and areas that only reveal themselves once the beam is opened.
That is why every piece is selected individually. Not every beam is suitable for a cutting board. Some timber is too cracked, warped, metal-loaded or too weak in the wrong places. What remains is rare, and it defines the frame of the board that can be made from it.
Decades or centuries of drying are an advantage, but not a guarantee. What matters is whether the beam stays stable, clean and responsible to work with after cutting.
From beam to Erbstück
The path stays visible.
Old construction timber does not become a glossy studio object. The surface is built up cleanly, food-safe and ready for everyday use. The origin is still allowed to remain visible.
Cutting
The beam sets the possible format. Length, width and visual character come from the available cross-section.
Searching for metal
Old beams can contain nails, screws or fittings. Before planer and saw, we check what is hidden in the wood.
Building up
Depending on the piece, we add light strips of maple or beech. Not as off-the-shelf decoration, but as a calm line in the material.
Sanding and oiling
The cutting surface is sanded cleanly, oiled and protected with care balm. The board is meant to be used, not only displayed.
Already assigned pieces
Not a template. More a direction.
These boards have already been made and sold. They show how different historic timber, light strips and proportions can feel. On mobile, you can swipe through the variations sideways.
What is possible
You shape it with us. The wood has a say.
An Erbstück is not a configurator product. You can share wishes, but we check them against the actual beam. If an idea would harm the material or not hold visually, we say so.
Handle recesses
Juice groove
Engraving
Maple or beech strips
Edge character
Surface finish
Format within the beam
Why limited
Many beams are enough for only a few boards.
Historic timber beams are finite. Even when a beam looks large, only a small amount of truly usable material often remains after inspection, cutting, excluding unsuitable areas and building the board cleanly.
Each board is therefore possible only once. When a piece of wood is gone, it cannot be repeated exactly. We can look for a direction, but we cannot build the same board again.
Who it is for
Not for everyone. That is the point.
For people with a feel for material
If you want to see where a piece comes from and why it looks the way it does.
For kitchen and BBQ
A board with weight, presence and enough calm for everyday use.
For special gifts
When a gift does not need to be loud, but should be allowed to last.
For keepsakes
For people who value craft, origin and uniqueness more than instant availability.
Inquiry
If a specific piece of wood speaks to you, do not wait too long.
Many beams are enough for only a few individual boards. Send us a short note: occasion, desired format, engraving request and whether you prefer a calm or more expressive timber image.
Inquire about ErbstückFAQ
Quick orientation.
What is the Erbstück series?
A limited series of handcrafted cutting boards made from historic oak beams from old half-timbered houses. Each board is made on request from timber that is genuinely suitable.
How long does an Erbstück board take to make?
That depends on the timber, format and current workshop schedule. After your inquiry, we give you a realistic timeframe.
What can be customized?
Depending on the beam, handle recesses, a juice groove, engraving, light strips, edge character, surface finish and format may be possible.
What does an Erbstück board cost?
The price depends on timber, size, construction and effort. That is why the series is handled by inquiry.
How do I send an inquiry?
The easiest way is by e-mail with the occasion, desired format and any specific wishes. If you refer to a timber image shown here, mention it directly.