Handwerkskunst!

Coopers, coopers or coopers - it is a craft that only a few still master. Ralf Mattern from Deidesheim in the Palatinate is one of them. In his business, he builds barrels up to a size of 20,000 liters. And they are not only in demand in the southwest, but worldwide. Most of the wood for the staves comes from the Palatinate Forest. The oak planks have to be stored in the yard in wind and weather for several years until the tannins are washed out. Only then does the cooper shape them so that they can later be assembled into a perfect barrel. It takes Ralf Mattern and his journeymen around 40 hours of work, a lot of muscle power and experience. Machines only play a minor role, as the craft has hardly changed in the last two thousand years. The wood is bent over the fire and sealed with reeds and steam. This creates a unique aroma that is transferred from the wood to the wine and refines it. A fascinating craft in the truest sense of the word.

Heiko Kircher from Elchesheim-Illingen is one of the few remaining craftsmen who build handmade boats, preserving a tradition passed down from his great-grandfather. As a trained wood mechanic, he constructs high-quality yet simple boats, often used for fishing or leisure trips on the Old Rhine. Every step of the process is done manually, with a focus on precision and craftsmanship. Kircher selects only top-quality wood, using six large pine planks for the boat’s base, which are cut, planed, and bent using iron winches. Additional elements, like the boat’s ribs and headboard, are meticulously carved from oak. Working alone in his carpentry workshop, Kircher completes a boat in three days. Finally, he applies wood protection paint by hand, maintaining a century-old tradition, before launching the boat into the water, ready for its next adventure.

Creating a Western saddle is similar to making a shoe, as both require precision and custom fitting. Master saddler Guido Netzer crafts each saddle to fit the horse perfectly. Using digital measurements, he selects a saddle tree, which functions like a shoe last. The chosen buffalo leather is cut, and key components, including the skirt, fenders, and jockeys, are built around the saddle tree. These parts are glued, sewn, padded, and decorated by hand. Unlike the shoe last, the saddle tree stays in the final product. Each saddle is a unique piece of craftsmanship, completed within five days with great attention to detail. Guido Netzer, passionate about his work, even uses tools passed down from his grandfather, a master shoemaker, reflecting the historical connection between shoemaking and saddlemaking.

Frank Steinhauer is a master stonemason at the renowned Sauer company in Budenheim near Mainz, where natural stone projects range from granite countertops to artistic sculptures. After training in Bad Kreuznach, he gained experience in the Palatinate and completed his master’s degree and certification as a stone designer in Freiburg. He later became a restorer in stonemasonry. At Sauer, he manages projects and specializes in stone restoration, especially on churches and historical facades. While CNC stone saws assist modern work, traditional craftsmanship is crucial for restorations. Steinhauer assesses weathered sandstone facades, determining which parts to repair or replace and sourcing matching stone. His expertise in stone layering prevents water damage and slows erosion, ensuring long-lasting results.

The Sommer family has a passion: solid wood. The carpentry workshop in the Westerwald creates artistic furniture for life from fine woods. The small family business in Breitscheid has found its niche, with customers coming from all over Germany. “Handwerkskunst!” shows how many hours of work go into creating a table that will outlast all trends. Leander Sommer, a journeyman in his father's business, has everything in his hands: from the careful drying of the selected wood to the initial cutting and the finishing touches.