New product introduction: B1-5 No comments yet

B1 series pulls in Antique Brass

To introduce our new line of 5″cc solid brass cabinet pulls, Cliffside will feature a short blog on each design. The first to be spotlighted is the B1-5, part of the Classic Suite and shown here in Antique Brass. The items of the Classic Suite feature a timeless beveled-edge design, and the B1-5 is no different. Suitable for wide drawers or larger cabinet doors, or for any application where the homeowner, designer, or contractor desires a larger hardware piece, this new standard pull is sure to fill the need.

As shown, the B1-5 is part of a larger set; the Classic Suite now offers two cabinet pulls (the B1-3 and new B1-5), an oversized pull (the B1-8; usable for oversized doors and drawers and small appliances such as dishwashers, trash compactors, and under-counter small refrigerators), and an appliance pull (the B1-12; designed to stand up to the toughest refrigerators).

All of our hardware suites are available with coordinating knobs, like the Classic Suite’s 147, 148, and 149 shape knobs. All suites also have ten designs of hinges in coordinating finishes and two styles of solid brass cupboard latches available as well. For more information on this “classic” design or any of our new 5″cc pulls, contact our customer service department or any of our dealers today!

What’s the difference: part 2 of 3 1 comment

In continuing our series on finish comparison, Cliffside proceeds from the gray to the gold, delving into the land of brasses. While much of Cliffside’s hardware is “solid brass”, only a few of those pieces are designated with “brass”-named finishes, like antique brass or polished brass, so it’s easy to get the two confused. Here are some other questions that our customer representatives field often:

What’s the difference between…

…polished brass and antique brass?

Cliffside’s polished brass finish has been around since the beginning. It, like the polished chrome and nickel focused on in our last edition, has a high-polish lacquer applied to it, which protects the finish and gives it that lustrous shine that is Cliffside’s signature color.

Antique brass, on the other hand, has a richer, more accented look while still maintaining a glossy sheen that is similar to the silver satin. Pieces with high levels of detailing, like Cliffside’s Rope and Criss-Cross Suites, make especially good use of the antique brass lacquer, as its dark elements linger in the ornamentation and elevate accented designs to a new plane.

The two finishes can be seen below, side-by-side on the same solid brass knobs:

At left: 110-PB (top) and K580-PB; at right: the same knobs in antique brass

…antique brass and antique english?

Cliffside’s suppliers are located worldwide in a variety of locations, and so their interpretations of finishes occasionally vary. In particular, Cliffside’s solid brass hinges are manufactured in Europe, so the antique brass finish that is applied to them is quite different from the rest of our hardware.

Compare, in this picture, an antique brass (AB) hinge alongside an antique brass (AB) pull:

K344-3-AB at left, as compared to BH3A-AB on the right

You can clearly see that the European-made antique brass hinge is much darker; its color, in fact, is comparable to the dark lacquer present on the foot of the pull shown at left. Cliffside’s customers were seeking an alternative antique brass hinge to match more closely with our AB hardware, so Cliffside developed the antique english finish.

View now the same image, but with an antique english hinge replacing the antique brass:

K344-3-AB at left, as compared to BH3A-AE on the right

These two colors are a better match when the hardware with a lot of open golden space, but the AB hinges are still available for those customers who prefer a darker finish, or for those who are using darker, more detail-oriented hardware, such as Cliffside’s Criss-Cross Suite.

Below, see the same hinge in both the AB and AE finishes:

BH2A-NM hinges in AB (left) and AE (right)

This year’s knob-minees No comments yet

The 83rd annual Academy Awards are rapidly approaching and, with them, the presentation of this year’s Golden Knob Awards! Check back next Friday to find out who the winners are, but until then, here’s your list of nominees!

Best Foreign Feature

Foreign Feature nominee: PM3-WT

Presented to Cliffside’s best import from our lines of European lead crystal and marble

• M994
• PM5-BG
• M13-32
• PM3-WT
• P-3-BLACK

Best Original Piece

K544-IR nominated for Best Original Piece

Presented to the best hardware piece that is unique to the Cliffside line

• B600-VB
• 148-SS
• 149-PN
• K544-IR
• K579-AB

Best Adaptation

Scroll Suite: nominee for Best Adaptation

Presented to the Cliffside line whose adaptation best serves our customers

• Rope Suite
• Classic Suite
• Scroll Suite
• Artisan Suite
• Criss-Cross Suite

Best “Short”

The 97015 butcher block knob

Presented to the best piece in our line of “small” or “miniature” hardware

• 97015-SS
• 100-20-IR
• AZ-SM
• 72
• M25

Best Supporting Actor

Great supporting performance from BH2A-OC-BALL

Presented to the hardware piece providing the “best support”

• 3-8-OFFSET-AB
• BH2A-OC-BALL
• AHO-VB
• BH2A-NM-OA
• BH3A-PC

Best Picture

24BP is a backplate for crystal knobs.

Presented to the piece that best exemplifies the great new photography on Cliffside’s website

• 3405-BZ
• M995-AQUA
• BH2A-RA
• IBCL-SS
• 24BP-PN

Be sure to check back Friday to find out this year’s winners!

2011 Cliffside Power Rankings 3 comments

Our last top ten list examined products quite some time ago. Since late 2008, there have been significant changes to the Cliffside product line, with the addition of over 500 hardware pieces in the last two years alone! That said, Cliffside’s products are timeless, and so this week’s power rankings will compare our 10 best-selling products to where they ranked when we first started our blog.

#1: 100 series knobs

The 100 series, shown in antique brass

Previous rank: 1
No surprises here. Cliffside Industries was founded with only 1 knob — the 100-PB. Since that time, we have expanded this series into 14 classic finishes which range from the glossy sheen of polished nickel to the deep vibrance of Venetian bronze. This elegant piece is a testament to the fact that the right piece of hardware can stand the test of time. It also comes in a miniature size, the 100-20, which is available in 10 finishes.

#2: BH2A series hinges

The BH2A hinge in black

Previous rank: 2
Cliffside’s BH2A hinge continues to be the best seller in our proprietary European hinge line. Styled by Old World craftsmen who pay the finest attention to detail, our hinges are precision-honed to exacting specifications to bring you the highest-quality product imaginable. Solid, one-piece construction characterizes our hinges as among the strongest brass pieces in the industry, and they are extruded rather than stamped for added durability. Available in up to 15 finishes, these hinges are, without question, the best on the market. An honorable mention is given to our ball-finial BH2A hinges as well, and they are available without a finial too.

#3: 161 series knobs

One of the 161 knob's 12 finishes is iron.

Previous rank: 4
The popularity of the 161 has recently skyrocketed — so much so, in fact, that it has surpassed some of our top-selling hinges in pieces sold! The attractive ridged face of the 161 combines with its wide base to complete our second-best selling piece. Available in 12 finishes, this knob can be used in a wide variety of applications (and it’s also your blogwriter’s favorite piece!).

#4: BH2A-NM series hinges

OA is the most popular hinge finish.

Previous rank: 3
The convenience of non-mortise hinges helps them to maintain their spot in our rankings, just below their mortised counterparts. The slightly thicker barrel and finial are an attractive option for manufacturers, and these hinges are extruded — as all Cliffside hinges are — to reduce metal wear and squeaking. With 15 finishes, the selection of the BH2A-NM, shown at right in old antique, is unparalleled.

#5: 158 series knobs

The 158 looks primed for big gains (shown in old copper).

Previous rank: 9
The biggest gain in positions among our prior top-10 members belongs to none other than the 158 series. Its attractive beveled backplate has made it a favorite among designers and manufacturers alike. It has a rounded face, which has become very popular among designers seeking polished chrome and polished nickel finishes. Since we added these items in early 2009, their popularity has only grown greater, and we at Cliffside predict further success in the future.

#6: B1 series pulls

B1-3 in polished brass

Previous rank: out of top 10
A newcomer to the party, the B1 series of pulls is a recent addition to Cliffside’s top 10 pieces of hardware. With a classic bevel around the feet of the full and bold, striking lines throughout the piece, the three sizes of the B1 (available in 3″cc, 8″cc, and 12″cc) are here to make a statement. These pieces were left out on the very cusp of our top 10 the last time around, but no longer! The B1 series pulls are now the most popular handle in the Cliffside line and are sure to remain a hit with clients and contractors for many years.

#7: K4235 series cup pulls

The K4235 cup in polished chrome

Previous rank: 7
The only cup pull to crack the top 10 is the K4235, long the leader among all of Cliffside’s bin-style handles. The simple half-circle design and the attention paid to the tiniest details in crafting this pull are what sets it apart from the competition. With a 3″ center-to-center measurement, like the rest of Cliffside’s solid brass standard pulls, the K4235 is great for drawers of many sizes and shapes. It is one of five standard cup pulls that Cliffside currently offers, but it has always been — and continues to be — the most popular.

#8: BH3A series hinges

In polished nickel, BH3A is popular.

Previous rank: 6
The longer length and beefy barrel of the BH3A series hinge keeps our customers coming back for more! Though the BH3A has dropped two positions in our rankings, it is no less popular in total pieces sold. With 12 attractive finishes, this hinge is designed to hold up to the toughest and heaviest cabinet doors. At 3¹/₂” long overall (2¹/₂” leaf), the BH3A is the largest mortised hinge in the Cliffside line.

#9: 105 series knobs

105 in silver satin, our most popular finish

Previous rank: 8
The oblong 105 is the only non-round knob that features in Cliffside’s top 10. It’s a popular piece that is easily secured against spinning by a convenient brad that holds the knob in place against the face of the cabinet door or drawer front. Its elongated design makes it easy to grip — whether installed vertically or horizontally — and its solid brass construction ensures that this piece, and its popularity, will endure for years to come.

#10: 110 series knobs

Our newest finish, Venetian bronze, on the classic 110 series

Previous rank: 5
The 110 series knobs lend a touch of class to any cabinet face. The distinctive ringed face, a simple but classic design, matches well with any cabinet style or molding. This piece is a great complement, no matter what style of kitchen you are creating. One of the heaviest knobs in our line, it is also one of the most durable.

This concludes our Power Rankings to open 2011. With questions on anything you see here, contact our Customer Service department or e-mail the blogmaster.

Honorable mention

Honorable mention: BH2A-AB-BALL

• SP series pulls (previously #10; new #11)
• K341 series cup pulls (new #12)
• BH2A-BALL and BH2A-NM-BALL hinges (new #13 & #14)

Go for the Gold! No comments yet

With the conclusion of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Cliffside is taking the time to examine some of our own “metal” winners. Here are the top three reasons to choose Cliffside over other hardware suppliers:

The (Oil-Rubbed) Bronze Medal: Style

Venetian Bronze is one of Cliffside's two oil-rubbed bronze finishes.

Cliffside Industries’ hardware suites offer a variety of styles in 10 signature finishes. All items within the suites are available in every finish, so you have the ability to mix and match simple styles like the Classic Suite with the designer touches of the Criss-Cross Suite, or the timeless design of the Scroll Suite with the unique twist of the Rope Suite. The selection of finishes allows you to come to Cliffside for all of your hardware needs: you can put together several distinct rooms in the same home just using one hardware suite!

The Silver (Satin) Medal: Speed

Cliffside's ball-tip hinges were introduced in 2009.

All stock items from Cliffside ship from our warehouse within 24 hours of receiving your order. Whether it’s hinges or handles, knobs or pulls that you need, Cliffside Industries is ready and willing to fulfill any and all of your hardware needs. If you need your hardware even faster, we offer a variety of expedited shipping options to get the hardware to your door by the day you need it. Cliffside’s customer representatives strive for excellent service and unparalleled reliability to ensure customer loyalty; please let us know if there is anything we can do to help you!

The Gold Medal: Quality

Like gold? Try Antique Brass!

No other company in the hardware industry can match the quality that Cliffside Industries’ hardware provides. Crafted from the finest materials, our solid brass hardware provides a security that you simply cannot get with products made from zinc or other economy materials. In particular, Cliffside’s hinges, developed in cooperation with some of the industry’s largest and most well-respected manufacturers, are constructed with the help of our European partners with a reputation for the finest precision manufacturing.

For all of your hardware needs, Cliffside Industries is a winner! Please contact us if you have any questions on any products that we offer.