Design story: our sprung handles
We’re always working at making things even better. Function and quality are at the core of our products, so development and refinement are a constant.
Our mortice door handles were some of the first products we set about engineering.
The knob, lever and T-bar designs are timeless. And made from solid brass, they feel just as good (and reassuringly weighty) as they look.
But we wanted to go further.
So, what’s new?
We’re always working at making things even better. Function and quality are at the core of our products, so development and refinement are a constant.
Our mortice door handles were some of the first products we set about engineering.
The knob, lever and T-bar designs are timeless. And made from solid brass, they feel just as good (and reassuringly weighty) as they look.
But we wanted to go further.
So, what’s new?
On the surface
To look at, nothing’s changed. All four styles in all three finishes are as they were.
The low-profile roses still neatly conceal the fittings for a screwless look; the fine reed detailing remains on the Poplar knob; each works just as well in classic and contemporary homes.
To look at, nothing’s changed. All four styles in all three finishes are as they were.
The low-profile roses still neatly conceal the fittings for a screwless look; the fine reed detailing remains on the Poplar knob; each works just as well in classic and contemporary homes.
The inner workings
This is where our new handles differ.
Firstly, we’ve designed and manufactured our own steel spring to sit inside a cassette in the handle.
Each spring is pre-tensioned to the handle’s weight to give just the right feel when you use it.
Our handles are heavy, and latch springs aren’t always up to the job of returning them to their original position over and over. We wanted to make sure there’d always be enough tension for this to happen – and without any drooping later down the line.
Even if the spring in your latch is strong enough, manufacturers tend to make the square spindle hole a little larger than necessary. This is to account for any difference in spindle thickness that may occur with different handle styles.
With our sprung handles, the space around the spindle is as small as can be.
You’ll be able to tell the difference straight away from the feel of the handle on the door. It’ll be sturdy, with no slack or wobble.
This is where our new handles differ.
Firstly, we’ve designed and manufactured our own steel spring to sit inside a cassette in the handle.
Each spring is pre-tensioned to the handle’s weight to give just the right feel when you use it.
Our handles are heavy, and latch springs aren’t always up to the job of returning them to their original position over and over. We wanted to make sure there’d always be enough tension for this to happen – and without any drooping later down the line.
Even if the spring in your latch is strong enough, manufacturers tend to make the square spindle hole a little larger than necessary. This is to account for any difference in spindle thickness that may occur with different handle styles.
With our sprung handles, the space around the spindle is as small as can be.
You’ll be able to tell the difference straight away from the feel of the handle on the door. It’ll be sturdy, with no slack or wobble.
We’ve also re-engineered the spindle itself. Our knob, T-bar and lever handles now all have a threaded spindle.
It’s a common enough design for knobs, but it’s virtually unheard of for levers. It costs more to manufacture, and it requires a little more effort to install it.
But, as ever, we think it’s worthwhile.
Adding a thread at either end of the spindle prevents the possibility of a handle working its way loose, or worse, coming off in your hand.
The only way you’ll get it off the spindle is by unthreading it.
It’s a common enough design for knobs, but it’s virtually unheard of for levers. It costs more to manufacture, and it requires a little more effort to install it.
But, as ever, we think it’s worthwhile.
Adding a thread at either end of the spindle prevents the possibility of a handle working its way loose, or worse, coming off in your hand.
The only way you’ll get it off the spindle is by unthreading it.
Unsprung and fixed handles
If you’re completely satisfied with your door’s latch, you can still opt for our unsprung design instead.
It’ll have the same new threaded spindle as the sprung version; it just won’t have the internal mechanism – something that’s less important for knob styles.
For double doors, there’s our fixed handle option too.
It’s for the ‘inactive’ of the two doors. You can push or pull it, but it won’t turn. What it will do, though, is give a cohesive look to both your doors.
You can explore all the designs in our door furniture collection, including matching hinges, escutcheons, thumbturns and door stops, online here.
If you’re completely satisfied with your door’s latch, you can still opt for our unsprung design instead.
It’ll have the same new threaded spindle as the sprung version; it just won’t have the internal mechanism – something that’s less important for knob styles.
For double doors, there’s our fixed handle option too.
It’s for the ‘inactive’ of the two doors. You can push or pull it, but it won’t turn. What it will do, though, is give a cohesive look to both your doors.
You can explore all the designs in our door furniture collection, including matching hinges, escutcheons, thumbturns and door stops, online here.