Think how often you’ll wrestle with your doorknobs in the course of a lifetime and you’ll realize it doesn’t make sense to scrimp on this stalwart of the home.
Baldwin’s high-quality, well-designed hardware is the gold standard. Passage sets (single knobs, dummy sets, and privacy sets are also available) in a choice of 13 finishes are available through Baldwin dealers.
Janet used the Baldwin Estate Contemporary Knobset 5041 in her Seattle remodel.
The Emtek Orb Modern Door Knob is available in five finishes, including oil-rubbed bronze as shown; $102.48 for the passage set at Direct Door Hardware.
The well-priced, utilitarian Commercial-Grade Master Lock Cylindrical Ball Knob Set is $39.39 for the passage set at Master Lock.
San Francisco architect Cary Bernstein favors door knobs from Merit Metal for their clean lines and “really good weight and feel.” The Merit Solid Brass Door Knob 43000 is available in 22 different finishes at architectural hardware stores nationwide; contact Merit Metal for ordering information.
In the Design Voyeur category, Manhattan-based (and Brooklyn-manufactured) high-end hardware purveyor Nanz is the holy grail. 1008 Door Knob is inspired by the International Style and is available in all Nanz plated and patinated finishes.
The Randall Interior Door Set Classic 2-Inch Brass Knob is $179 for the plain set at Rejuvenation.
The Tate Classic Knob Interior Door Set is $179 for the plain set at Rejuvenation.
For price-conscious remodelers, the Schlage Orbit Door Knobset is the knob of choice (Julie used it in her Mill Valley, California, remodel); the Hardware Hut lists the complete doorknob and rosette passage set for $23.10.
The Schoolhouse Berlin Door Set with Cylinder Knob, shown in Satin Nickel, is $158 at Schoolhouse.