why does a brass door knob 1920s look so different than one from the 1980s?
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Aside from the other reasons mentioned — 1920s ***doors*** were pretty different from 1980s doors. I lived in a building from the 20s, you could have killed somebody with those doors. Forget wood laminate hollow core ‘boxes’, this building had solid solid blocks of wood hung on hinges. This was an era where a dental extraction was performed using a string tied to a doorknob.
I have no idea why those people thought they needed closet doors that would take a lumberjack to get through, but if you’re gonna have doors like that, you’re gonna need knobs to match.
Aside from the other reasons mentioned — 1920s ***doors*** were pretty different from 1980s doors. I lived in a building from the 20s, you could have killed somebody with those doors. Forget wood laminate hollow core ‘boxes’, this building had solid solid blocks of wood hung on hinges. This was an era where a dental extraction was performed using a string tied to a doorknob.
I have no idea why those people thought they needed closet doors that would take a lumberjack to get through, but if you’re gonna have doors like that, you’re gonna need knobs to match.
Also, lots of “brass” from the 1980’s is plated over steel whereas in 1920’s it was pure brass. 1920 brass can be cleaned after 100 years and look new while most plated brass wears away and the knob needs replacing if you want a clean brass shine.
Also, lots of “brass” from the 1980’s is plated over steel whereas in 1920’s it was pure brass. 1920 brass can be cleaned after 100 years and look new while most plated brass wears away and the knob needs replacing if you want a clean brass shine.
Also, lots of “brass” from the 1980’s is plated over steel whereas in 1920’s it was pure brass. 1920 brass can be cleaned after 100 years and look new while most plated brass wears away and the knob needs replacing if you want a clean brass shine.
A major distinction I haven’t seen mentioned yet is that newer brass hardware is often lacquered. This seals the metal from environmental aging (patina) and keeps it looking shiny and yellow. Older hardware is typically not lacquered, allowing the metal to develop a natural patina (darker and dull).
Additionally, a lot of newer hardware is plated brass on a cheaper base metal. This makes it even harder to develop a patina, as any surface imperfections are more likely to rupture the plating and expose the underlying metal, often corroding. Older (and higher quality) brass hardware is typically solid brass, which allows scuffs and dings to look like “character” instead of damage.
A major distinction I haven’t seen mentioned yet is that newer brass hardware is often lacquered. This seals the metal from environmental aging (patina) and keeps it looking shiny and yellow. Older hardware is typically not lacquered, allowing the metal to develop a natural patina (darker and dull).
Additionally, a lot of newer hardware is plated brass on a cheaper base metal. This makes it even harder to develop a patina, as any surface imperfections are more likely to rupture the plating and expose the underlying metal, often corroding. Older (and higher quality) brass hardware is typically solid brass, which allows scuffs and dings to look like “character” instead of damage.
A major distinction I haven’t seen mentioned yet is that newer brass hardware is often lacquered. This seals the metal from environmental aging (patina) and keeps it looking shiny and yellow. Older hardware is typically not lacquered, allowing the metal to develop a natural patina (darker and dull).
Additionally, a lot of newer hardware is plated brass on a cheaper base metal. This makes it even harder to develop a patina, as any surface imperfections are more likely to rupture the plating and expose the underlying metal, often corroding. Older (and higher quality) brass hardware is typically solid brass, which allows scuffs and dings to look like “character” instead of damage.
Manufacturing processes, advancements in manufacturing technology.
As for door knob looks in general, there’s been a move to handles in the past 20 years due to safety regulations – people with disabilities must be able to open a door, and a door knob is less easily manipulated than a handle.
Manufacturing processes, advancements in manufacturing technology.
As for door knob looks in general, there’s been a move to handles in the past 20 years due to safety regulations – people with disabilities must be able to open a door, and a door knob is less easily manipulated than a handle.
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