Rewriting the Rules of Stationery: The Precision Tools of Makers Cabinet

In an era dominated by disposable design and fast consumption, Makers Cabinet stands apart—quietly yet confidently reshaping the landscape of drawing and writing tools. Founded in London by a trio of international designers—Odin Ardagh, Benjamin Weininger, and Noah Bier—this ambitious young studio has already disrupted the stationery industry with a series of beautifully engineered products that fuse analogue integrity with digital-era finesse.

Having met during their studies at Central Saint Martins, the founders of Makers Cabinet share a deep-rooted frustration with mass-market tools that lack longevity, craft, or soul. Their response? To reimagine classic drawing instruments with the elegance and permanence of heirloom objects. The result is a growing collection of products designed not only to perform but to be treasured—a quiet revolution in the act of making.

Design That Lasts

At the heart of Makers Cabinet’s philosophy is a commitment to permanence. Their tools aren’t trendy novelties—they’re lifelong companions made from solid, precious materials like brass, steel, and walnut. Each piece is engineered to age with character, acquiring patina and personality as they’re used. The studio’s passion for sustainability runs deep, too: all packaging is recyclable, all wood is FSC-certified, and every design is crafted for a lifetime of use—an elegant counterpoint to throwaway culture.

“Our passion pushes us to rethink the tools we use every day,” says Odin Ardagh, Head of Product. “We design to perfection and deliver excellence—not just for the sake of aesthetics, but to support the analogue joy of the creative process.”

Toolmaking as Art

The first design to gain widespread attention was Høvel—a precision pencil plane inspired by traditional woodworking tools. Entirely reimagined from the standard sharpener, it allows the user to sculpt the perfect point with unmatched control. Its solid brass form gives it a satisfying weight, and its hand-polished finish makes it as visually striking as it is practical.

Then came Iris, a jaw-dropping reinterpretation of the compass. Inspired by the mechanism of a camera’s iris, it uses a rotating aperture of interlocking brass leaves to draw perfectly round circles at scalable diameters. Paired with a walnut base that doubles as a centring tool, Iris is both a measuring device and a mechanical sculpture.

The latest innovation, Stria, is a folding ruler like no other. Available in steel or brass, it offers a compact, elegant solution for designers and artists on the move. With a patented dovetail hinge and haptic click mechanism, it folds to fit in a pocket and extends to 30cm while remaining flush to the page—ideal for accurate sketching, measuring, or cutting in any setting.

A New Kind of Studio

Makers Cabinet isn’t just reshaping the objects themselves—it’s also reinventing how a design studio operates. Their business model is refreshingly lean: all operations are handled in-house, and products are sold directly to customers, eliminating traditional retail markups and middlemen. This tight control ensures quality, keeps communication direct, and allows for continuous refinement and feedback.

Operating from their new collaborative studio in East London, the team works with select manufacturers capable of delivering the highest standards, often in low volumes. Their approach emphasizes quality over quantity—an artisanal mindset supported by modern business acumen.

For Creatives, By Creatives

Whether you’re an architect sketching on-site, a student mapping out ideas, or a seasoned artist pursuing perfection, Makers Cabinet tools elevate everyday rituals into moments of joy. These aren’t just tools—they’re statements: against waste, against mediocrity, and for craftsmanship, precision, and meaning.

As they continue to expand their offerings and refine their designs, one thing remains clear: Makers Cabinet is leading a quiet but powerful renaissance in how we engage with the tools of creativity—bringing intention, elegance, and endurance back to the desk.