Erdem Uygan
Founder and Designer of Thorn Mill
Thorn Mill is an independent workshop focused on small-batch production rather than mass manufacturing. Every product begins as an idea, then is machined individually on the lathe, inspected by hand, and finished by the same person from start to finish.
My goal is not simply to create long-lasting mechanical objects, but to make pieces that develop character over time, can be maintained and repaired, and remain meaningful companions for years.
A Family Legacy
Thorn Mill is more than my own story. Metalworking has been part of my family for three generations. My grandfather, Sıtkı Uygan, spent many years as a master machinist, and my father continued the same profession.
Although I was too young to grow up beside them at the lathe, their craft eventually found its way back to me years later.
Today, every design I create at Thorn Mill is my own interpretation of that heritage—bringing together traditional machining and contemporary design to create mechanical objects made to last for generations.
How I Work
Every Thorn Mill product begins with a single idea. During the design process, I think not only about appearance, but also about the mechanism, the tactile experience, the manufacturing process, and how the piece can be maintained years from now.
The parts are not produced on an assembly line. Each one is individually machined on the lathe, measured, adjusted when necessary, and inspected again before assembly. Every stage of production takes place in the same workshop and is carried out by the same person.
A product is not finished simply because it works. The feel of the mechanism, the quality of the finish, its proportions, and the impression it leaves in the hand must all meet my expectations. Only then is it ready to leave the Thorn Mill workshop.
The Thorn Mill Workshop
Thorn Mill is not a large factory. It is a small workshop where every product comes to life under one roof—from design to final inspection.
Every machine, every tool, and every workspace here serves a single purpose: creating mechanical objects that are built to last, can be maintained, and become more meaningful with time.