Your Door Knocker

The Urn Door Knocker

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:03:47 +0000

I devote a great deal of time studying door knockers. I find them fascinating historically as well as artistically.

Over time many common designs have evolved. Some designs have turned out to be more popular than others. The urn style is among these. The ornaments and patterns have changed but the basic shape has remained.

It has always interested me as to what made the classic urn style so well liked. The look does sort of resemble an ancient urn but in reality it does not really look much like one. In contemporary times people have little relation the urn with the exception of a burial container following cremation. What then makes the urn shape so popular for a door knocker?

There are varying versions of the ascendance of the design. It is said that the classic urn shape has its origins in the Grecian or Victorian times. Different manufacturers describe them as Grecian Urns or Victorian Urns. Each appears to have some merit. It is possible that the relationship to eras revolves around the designs used as each period features its own distinctive style of ornamentation.

Some are embellished with flower patterns while others have leaves and feathers. Among my personal favorites being an engraver is the old standard swirling vine pattern that generally seems to fit the urn door knocker form well. I have even come across them adorned with cherubs and angels. The classic urn design has many areas that are conducive to ornamentation. Of course one of the most popular is the plain polished finish with no ornamentation at all.

Most urn designs are perfectly suited for engraving. The common shape offers an excellent engraving area centering the hinge location of the clapper. This area is usually a pleasant rectangular shape that will hold a name or address nicely. Many manufacturers also design an engraving area onto the clapper. This shape can be a square or an oval depending on the manufacturer. The clapper area usually looks good whether it is engraved or not.

The urn door knocker is versatile and looks good on most modern day homes. It possesses a universal appeal that seems to fit in nicely with most architecture. It is available in many sizes varying from a small 4″ height or less to very large 12″ high. The size selection would be determined by the doorway that the door knocker is to be mounted on and the budget allowed.

Some urn door knockers incorporate eye viewers as these fit in this design well. The eye viewer may be situated at the approximate center of the door knocker or it might be located at the top. When at the top the eye viewer usually replaces the upper installation hardware. The addition of the eye viewer provides the additional safety factor of being able to see who is at your door.

Urn door knockers can be found that are mounted to the door by one of two methods. One method uses screws that pass through the knocker and screw into the door. The other method uses bolts or other hardware that goes entirely through the door. Either method works well on wooden doors but the through the door method works best on other doors.

It seems that I have answered my own question. The urn door knocker is popular for many good reasons the least of which is that they really look great on the entrance way to a home.

Sand Casting Door Knockers

admin — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 17:42:41 +0000

Our facility uses sand casting processes to produce brass door knockers and other decorative hardware items.

Sand casting is a form of art that is enjoyable as well as challenging. Numerous steps are involved in the process. Each step must be carried out properly or the completed piece will not be up to expectations and may need to be scrapped.

The process involves heating metal beyond its melting point bringing it to a liquid form. The molten metal is then poured into a green sand mold which forms it into its new shape. When the metal solidifies the sand mold is broken away leaving the metal casting behind.

Green sand consists of a mixture of sand, clay and water. This sand mixture is packed firmly into a box containing a pattern of the part to be produced. This box known as a flask is made in two halves. It is designed to be taken apart after the sand is packed in it.

The pattern of the part to be made is situated at the center of the flask where the two halves come together. After the sand is packed the two halves of the flask are separated and the pattern removed. This leaves a cavity in the sand the shape of the part to be produced. With the mold cavity formed hand tools are used to cut sprues and gates into the mold. This is the pathway that the molten metal follows through the mold and into the cavity.

When the cavity, gates and sprues are completed the two halves of the mold are put back together and the mold is complete. The completed mold is then taken to the pouring area. In daily practice we prepare as many molds as the crucible can hold brass for. The molds are lined up in the casting area to await the pouring.

Now with our molds all set we will need to melt some brass. In our facility we work with a propane gas fired furnace and fire clay crucibles. We fill the crucible with pieces of brass and place it into the furnace. When the temperature gets around 1600 degrees farenheit it begins to melt. Around 1650 degrees it is liquid. When the brass is roughly 1680 degrees the dross is skimmed from the top of the crucible and some flux added. When the brass is over 1700 degrees it is ready to pour.

Cautiously we lift the crucible filled with glowing red molten brass from the furnace. Carrying it to the mold we line up our pour. Tipping the crucible the brass flows out and down the sprue, into the gate and ultimately into the mold cavity filling it completely.

At this point everything is left to cool. We clean up our mess and take a short breather. When the castings have had enough time to cool enough to solidify it is time to remove them from the mold. The sand is broken away leaving the new casting exposed.

When castings come out of the mold they have a rough surface. Sprues and gates are still attached. Additional work must be performed to convert this casting into a finished product. This typically involves cutting, sanding, buffing and machining.

This process must be repeated for every component used to make the door knocker assembly. Most door knockers consist of two castings, a body and a clapper.

When product is assembled and complete, a solid brass door knocker like this must be protected by a clear lacquer or similar substance to prevent the surface from tarnishing and deteriorating. The clear coating will keep the door knocker looking good for many years to come.

Engraving Art

admin — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 20:03:30 +0000

Engraving as an art form has been with us for most of our history. Initially hand tools were utilized to cut lines and patterns into a surface area to produce patterns and designs. These days computers control the process and cutting is not always done. In the earliest times the hand tools were sharpened stones which were utilized to cut into softer stones. Prehistoric man would document his experiences by carving images into the walls of caves. Some of their artwork from the the prehistoric era remains on the surfaces of caves to this day.

Today engraving is becoming a bit misunderstood. Like many terms today, the meaning is being re-defined to serve the times. Earlier definitions of the term included words like incising and cutting. This would lead one to believe that something is being cut into. Today the definition must include etching and marking as modern methods do not always include cutting into anything.

It did not take long for man to begin utilizing metal for his engraving tools once it became accessible. Soon they were using tools created from iron and steel to cut into softer metals and alloys like copper, brass and pewter. As skill improved complex designs became collectable fine art. On many occasions the engraving became more precious than the item itself.

Up to this time the entire job was performed by hand. An artist would draw out the work manually. When the art was prepared the artist would use specially honed hand tools known as burins to cut and carve the art into the project one line at a time. The procedure required great skill. The engraver not only needed to create the artwork, they would have to make and sharpen their tools to cut precisely. This process was extremely time consuming and required great skill and expertise. People at the top of this trade are recognized as masters.

During the early 1900′s a machine began use in the profession known as the pantograph. It made the process faster and easier for the operator. The pantograph is a tracing machine. It is designed in a way that the stylus is used to follow a an original or pattern. On another part of the machine the cutter would duplicate the pattern accurately, usually smaller than the original. Cutting it into the project material. The pantograph was a staple tool in most jewelry stores and was the state-of-the-art for quite some time.

Today, computer controlled engraving is the standard. This method has made engraving affordable to the consumer as well as quite rapidly prepared. As computers progress so does the art form. Modern computer driven machines are designed to be easy to operate. A person learning the hand methods required years to perfect their craft. A computer operated system can be operated within hours with minimal computer skills. Today the skills required by an engraver are in the form of computer graphics and layout.

It is true that computer controlled engraving cannot reproduce the intricate cuts and designs possible only with hand engraving. The computer methods do provide speed and exactness. Today both methods are employed. The hand methods have been modernized and are practiced as an art form. Computer engraving is utilized in many industries as well as practiced as and art form. There is a further discussion with images at Your-Door-Knocker.com/engraving

There is a wide range of uses for engraving. One of the earliest commercial uses revolved around the invention of the printing press. Images were carved into blocks of wood that could be placed into the printing press to reproduce the images. All early printing prepared their images in this manner. Of course metal engraving advanced rapidly also. Engraving was performed on everything from door knockers and name plates to trophies and awards.

Engraving is an important part of our past. As time and technology goes on, it will play an important part of our future as well. See our line of engraved brass products at Your-Door-Knocker.com

Lion Door Knockers

admin — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:22:41 +0000

Lion Door Knockers can be an impressive addition to the entrance way of your house. Little else can match the impact of a lion door knocker to those approaching.

Lion knockers became popular in England and China during the middle ages. While both cultures created recognizably different versions both had images of lions. Even though each region developed theirs differently, I believe that the reasons for wanting the lion image on their home entrances were the same then as they are now.

The lion symbolizes power and courage. The lion image convey an aura of majesty in this domain. Not to mention that it makes a really good looking door knocker.

With exceptions the eastern interpretation had a ferocious appearance while the Europeans developed a calm and regal look.

The typical design for is that of the lion face holding a ring like shape in its mouth. The face shape would be the main body while the ring would be the moving part or the clapper. Some may have a third part called the clapper strike. This part is what the clapper would actually contact while knocking on the door. On some designs the clapper strike is an attached portion of the knocker body.

Whether the lion is serenely looking over your home entrance or if it is open mouthed and ferociously protecting your dwelling they create an immediate impression to all who approach.

Given the artistic elegance of the lion it is no wonder that these knockers are well-liked throughout the world.

Brass is one of the favorite materials used in their manufacture. It weathers well and has the versatility of being finished in a variety of choices including antique, satin and polished. Brass is also easily electroplated with nickel and copper adding many more finishing possibilities. Brass will cast to shape with great detail providing beautiful finished products. This is important for lion door knockers where the facial features need to stand out.

This style door knocker can be a bit harder to install than the standard shapes. A lion knocker is usually larger and heavier than the contemporary styles so they are usually attached with hardware that passes through the door and not with screws into the surface. This means that two or more holes must be drilled through he door for the hardware to pass through.

A lion door knocker is a wonderful addition to any home. It is certainly an investment that you will cherish for years to come. Solid brass engraveable lion door knockers are available at Your Door Knocker.com

Brass Door Knocker DK9 American Made

admin — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 11:35:15 +0000

Re-Tooled DK9 Door Knocker is Made In America

Our newly re-tooled DK9 style door knocker is now American Made. We have reworked one of our oldest and most popular solid brass door knocker designs for production in our factory.
The DK9 is engraveable in 2 locations, one is a rectangle area on the body, the other an oval on the clapper. Both areas are nicely proportioned and works well with all of our engraving fonts.

Like its predecessor our newly retooled DK9 is available in all of our factory finishes and can be ordered with your choice of surface or a through the door mounting method.

The DK9 is a wonderful classic urn design that fits in well with most motifs and architecture. It can be personalized with engraving or looks great without engraving. The choice is yours.

For more information and ordering please click here.

American Made Is Important

admin — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 13:51:45 +0000

“American made” I am old enough to remember when America was an industrialized nation.

When I was going to High School in northern Ohio I remember the steel mills, machine shops and rubber factories that filled the area. I was greatly saddened during a recent drive past some of the old mills. A few buildings are still partially standing, some with trees growing through their roofs. This is the legacy of the rust belt, the legacy of America.

Made in America is not just a sign of quality and craftsmanship, it is a way of life. It is the fulfillment of the American dream. American made means jobs, pride, self esteem as well as a strong economy.

America’s industrial base was once the envy of the world. During World War II our industrial base won the war by out producing the entire rest of the world. Tanks, Jeeps and Liberty Ships rolled out off our assembly lines at record paces.

The following decades manufacturing was strong. Our predecessors worked hard and created a wonderful way of life that most of us living today can only remember. They lived it because they earned it.

Why did America get out of the manufacturing business?

The answer to this question can be found in our nations capital within the walls of our congress. This question must be directed to those who are responsible. Those who regulated America out of business with free trade agreements and legislature designed to cripple our manufacturing base. Those who would rather fund multiple unnecessary wars than fund clean air packages for American foundries that employ Americans. Those who sold out to the highest bidding lobbyist with no regard for the working American people.

Is it really cheaper or worth it to send our work to other countries? The answer is a resounding no, not by a long shot. Our working force and our manufacturing base is what built our country. It will take hard working Americans to reclaim it. America was built by entrepreneurs who took the initiative to follow their own path. This is how America was built and will be rebuilt, one idea at a time. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong in America. The spark is provided by necessity and need.

I have always felt that the pendulum swings both ways. Times get good and times get bad. I remember talking with my grandfather and father about the great depression. They lived through it. They also lived through World War II. They knew bad times. They also knew better times in the 50′s and 60′s. They got to the better times because every day Americans picked themselves up worked hard, and got this country going again.

Our pendulum is about to start an upward swing. It will be carried upward by the very Americans who have been sold out by the politicians. It will begin with garage shops and grow into full bloom industrialization. It will take guts and fortitude, but that is also the makeup of an American entrepreneur.

One dollar may not seem like a lot compared to our current national debt. But every dollar spent on products made in America is one less dollar that is spent empowering other countries. It is a dollar spent employing an American. The challenge now is to keep more dollars here. To get Made in America our way of life again we must work hard and and earn it one dollar at a time. We must stand up to the self serving politicians who have no regard for the American dream. America built by Americans, this is my dream. It will probably take longer than the years I have left, but I am confident that it will happen.

Made in America means more than where a product is manufactured. It represents our American way of life. The spirit of Americans will prevail.

oil rubbed bronze

admin — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 17:32:54 +0000

One of the more popular yet misunderstood finishes for door hardware is oil rubbed bronze. In recent years it has gained in popularity for interior and exterior home hardware.

The name “Oil Rubbed Bronze” is also the best description for this finish. Originally bronze items were preserved by rubbing them with different types of oil. As the metal oxidized it darkened to varying shades of dark brown and gray. As the item is used some of the oil and dark oxidation is rubbed off leaving the base metal below exposed. The exposed areas are usually the raised areas of the item. After the item is used for a period of time it needs to be re-oiled to maintain the finish.

Since a true oil rubbed bronze finish is constantly changing with use, it is known as a living finish. With use it will show base metal and when idle for a period of time it will again darken.

In modern times a true oil rubbed bronze is not very practical. It requires to much maintenance for most people. Even still the effect is quite attractive and is highly sought after for home decoration items.

Many manufacturers are now creating a finish resembling oil rubbed bronze but without the downfalls of the original finish. They are known as “Aged Bronze”, “Dark Bronze”, “Venetian Bronze” and a host of other names. These are manufactured using modern methods of electroplating, usually a copper color, and oxidation over the base metal. These items are then lacquered to preserve the finish leaving little maintenance to be performed for many years to come.

Each manufacturer has their own interpretation of what their version of the finish looks like. Products purchased from different manufacturers may not match exactly even though they are all called oil rubbed bronze or an oil rubbed bronze lookalike. There are no set standards for oil rubbed bronze.

casting brass at the festival

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 23:09:46 +0000

What a fun day… Casting Brass At The Festival.

Casting Brass At The Festival

We set up a complete working foundry at a local festival. During our demonstrations we made sand cast brass pieces.

It was great fun to show what we do in our foundry. There was much interest and many questions during our 4 hour run.

While we showed some complex door knocker patterns and mold equipment, we actually cast rosettes to keep the process faster and easier to follow.

This was the first time we attempted this in public. I am quite sure that it will not be our last.

Fortunately it was a bright sunny day, everyone was in great spirits and had a good time.

YDK71 is coming!

admin — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 23:34:37 +0000

YDK71 Solid Brass Door Knocker by Your-Door-Knocker

Beautifully hand crafted patterns are cast into brass in our Augerburg Foundry.

Castings are engraved and finished in our studio to order.

The YDK71 has 2 large versatile areas to hold your custom engraving requirements.

6-3/4″ high x 3-3/4″ wide x 1″ thick the bolt centers for the through the door mount are 4-3/8″

The YDK71 is available with your choice of through the door mount or surface mount.

Available in your choice of these finishes:

Polished Brass
Satin Brass
Antique Brass
Satin Nickel
Antique Nickel
Antique Copper
Venetian Bronze

Our YDK71 Solid Brass Door Knocker will be available on the www.Your-Door-Knocker.com web site in mid to late August, 2o1o at a special introductory sale price.

Our YDK71 is proudly Made In America

Not all brass is the same

admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:41:47 +0000

The entrance way hardware on your home may seem like a small detail. In reality it is an important consideration.

When deciding on hardware for your home, brass is always a good selection. It is available in many finishes, has a long life and is easily maintained.

Before you purchase, you must be prepared for some surprises, you see, not all brass is the same.

The first thing to be sure of is that your purchase is in fact brass. Modern methods have become quite proficient in plating brass over less expensive metals such and making it look convincingly like the part is made of solid brass . This is especially hard to detect when purchasing packaged items.

Brass is primarily an alloy of copper and zinc. Not only can the proportions of the copper and the zinc be altered, other ingredients such as tin, nickel and or lead may be added in varying proportions to make the finished product cheaper or better suited for a specific job.

This is one of the reasons that the brass valve for your garden hose may not be the same color or texture as the brass that makes up your door knocker. While both are made of brass, the composition of the brass in each product is different.

In our case at Your-Door-Knocker.com, we do not produce water valves, we produce quality ornamental parts such as door knockers. We require brass that is conducive to molding and will machine and finish well. Our parts must stand up well in the outdoors , in direct sunlight and be resistant to the weather. In short our brass is more expensive than the brass used for water valves.

We do not need to be chemists to purchase the correct brass. Brass has been around a long time. Industry standards and specifications have been written and proven worthy. These specifications provide the foundries and the manufacturers with a common language which ensures the correct grade material is being purchased.

There are manufacturers that attempt to lessen the manufacturing cost of their products by altering the chemical makeup of their brass. For example, zinc is cheaper than copper so the higher the zinc content, the cheaper the brass will be. Unfortunately, once the zinc content passes the optimum amount the quality of the finished product will suffer.

For a manufacturer of quality products it is simply not worth it to cut a couple cents per pound from the casting brass cost. While a door knocker made of quality material may cost a bit more, the longevity of the item will certainly make it the better value in the long run.