FAQ
What species of wood are available?
We stock knobs from 12 different wood species. The majority of knob/pull styles are available in cherry, maple, and walnut, with oak being the next most common species. Any knob style we produce can be special-ordered in a wood species not listed in regular stock. Custom designed knobs can be made in any wood available (including wood you provide) – see Custom Design and Special Orders.
Alder - A versatile hardwood at the softer end of hardwood spectrum; has a fine homogeneous grain structure; light, uniform color that darkens very little over time.
Ash - A light colored, smooth-grained hardwood. It is shock-resistant, yet light-weight. When stained it is often mistaken for oak.
Birch - A light, durable hardwood that is easy to stain. The abundance of this fast-growing tree makes it one of the least expensive hardwoods on the market. The grain pattern is similar to that of maple.
Cherry - A smooth-grained, reddish-brown hardwood that comes from the American Black Cherry fruit tree. Natural cherry wood is perhaps the most prized furniture hardwood. Cherry is renowned for its color and aging process. It starts out a light pink and darkens over time to a rich reddish hue with a lustrous patina.
Hickory - An exceptionally heavy wood species, and one of the hardest, strongest and most shock resistant, of all the hardwoods.
Mahogany - Honduran Mahogany is a straight-grained tropical hardwood. The heartwood color can vary from a pale pinkish brown, to a darker reddish brown. Color tends to darken with age.
Maple - Has a fine, even texture. The grain is generally straight but may be wavy. Some cuts of maple feature grain that has a flame-like appearance. Other cuts may have small knots, known as bird’s eye maple. Generally light in color and easy to stain, the sapwood is usually just as viable as the heartwood (which means fewer rejects/seconds).
Red oak - A hardwood, red oak grows more rapidly and is more readily available, therefore less expensive (than white oak). Red oak has a slightly pinkish tint.
Pine - One of the most common softwoods. The grain is straight with an even, medium texture. The heartwood is a light in color, from a creamy white to light brown, sometimes with a slightly reddish hue. Color tends to darken with age. As a softwood it is lightweight and pliable --easy to sand and stain.
Tiger maple - Also known as flamed maple, curly maple, ripple maple, fiddleback or tiger stripe. The tiger-eye effect is known as chatoyance, a feature of maple in which the growth of the wood fibers is distorted in an undulating pattern of wavy lines.
The special tiger-eye (chatoyance) is sometimes not visible until a stain/finish is applied. This is especially true for small items like knobs. The sanding process used during manufacturing tends to hinder the “special effects”, until the finish is applied.
White oak - A heavy and durable hardwood that is less abundant (than red oak). In color, white oak tends to be browner, darker and grayer. White oak has a smoother look.
When red oak and white oak are stained, the difference between the two species decreases, the darker the stain used.
Walnut - A hardwood with a straight grain. It is a hard and durable wood that carves well and holds its shape. The distinction of walnut is its rich brown color, which can vary dramatically, from very light to very dark brown. The middle of the walnut tree produces the darker wood, and the outer layer of the tree, just beneath the bark, produces the lighter brown shades. The wide color difference of quality and wood color in the trunk of the smaller, slow growing walnut tree is the reason walnut knobs are more valuable and making quality knobs is more expensive.
Custom Designs and Special Orders
We would like to share our extensive experience in producing quality well-designed wood knobs by offering special-order and custom design services. We appreciate the search for knobs and pulls that are both beautiful and useful, those that combine the best form + function, those that match a particular style, wherever and however they are used.
Since every special order and custom design is unique, please inquire by email or phone for a quote. We would be happy to discuss your designs, ideas, and goals. We can answer questions and explain/guide the process. Minimums apply, and a 50% deposit is required. Special and custom orders are not refundable.
A Special Order is an order of one of our existing knob designs with one or more modifications, such as a wood species different from those we stock (this can include wood that you provide), or the addition (or removal) of inserts.
A Custom Design is a new knob design or profile, not in the niceknobs.com collection. A sample and/or technical drawing is needed to create the template or tooling needed for its production. All custom design orders will include a one-time, tooling set-up fee. Added to the tooling cost is the lead-time and quantity needed, which are the main factors that will determine the production method and the cost-per-knob charge.
Are any knobs available finished -- painted or stained?
No. Our wood knobs and pulls are all sold unfinished, in order to give restorers, artisans, woodworkers, and creative designers the best possibility of the perfect finish and look.
The many finishing products and methods on the many wood species we offer result in numerous different colors and looks. Our unfinished wood products allow for infinite creative possibilities, as well as precise matching for restoration work.
What wood is recommended for a painted finish?
We recommend maple or birch as the best wood for painting. It is light in color and the least likely to bleed through the paint over time. For best results use a primer.
Returns
If you need to return our products for any reason, we will take them back with no restocking fee within 30 days of the shipment date. After 30 days a 25% restocking fee will be charged. Please contact us to get an RGA number before making a return. All products must be returned in the same condition you received them.
Mailing address for returns:
Smith Woodworks and Design
300 Main Street, Set 21 #129
Madison, NJ 07940
When we receive your return, you will be credited for the cost of the merchandise; the original shipping cost will not be credited. Only unused stock, in the same unfinished condition it was shipped will be accepted. Custom or special-ordered knobs are not returnable for refund.
When are orders shipped?
Generally, if the items ordered are in stock, the order will ship within 24-48 hours, excluding weekends. You will also receive an email notification when your order has shipped, along with tracking information
How are orders shipped?
Small orders are usually shipped USPS, using flat rate pricing for best rates, and UPS for larger orders (> 2 lbs). You will receive an email notification when your order has shipped, along with tracking information.
If you live in a location that has limited USPS or UPS service, please let us know by including this information when ordering.
Is international shipping available?
Yes, this website also calculates postage rates for orders from outside the U.S. We ship worldwide orders received on niceknobs.com, with credit card payment.
Large orders received by email or phone from overseas require payment by bank wire transfer in advance of shipment. We do not deal with third-party shipping for overseas orders.
Is overnight or faster shipping available?
Yes, with an additional cost. Upon request by phone we can ship overnight express or 2-day priority mail, UPS or USPS service depends on the size/weight of the package -- we try to determine the fastest service for the least cost.
Because of the time factor, it is best to call 908-832-2723 (or email) all rush or express shipping requests.
Collections Details
CLASSIC
Well-balanced proportions, our classic knobs are suitable on any style cabinets or furniture.
SHAKER STYLE
The belief system of the Shakers, a religious community which thrived in the 19th century, upheld the ideals of integrity and quality in craftsmanship, hard work and community. The Shaker aesthetic is known for its simplicity and functionality. Knobs and pulls – for furniture of their own as well as furniture to sell – were made exclusively in native hardwoods, and thus imbued with the exquisite Shaker sensibility, a natural flair that is numinous and timeless.
The Shaker aesthetic heavily influenced minimalist design of the 20th century.
This collection of end-grain knobs and pegs, includes both tenoned and screw-on knobs.
WOODLAND
The Woodland collection includes three distinct profile shapes, in the greatest variety of sizes (5) and wood species (10), for numerous possibilities. Simple, yet sophisticated, with a vintage feel, this style of traditional face-grain knobs is enduring and ageless.
PRACTICAL
Somewhere between traditional and modern are knobs shapes that are plain and useful in many sizes. Included here are birch knobs, practical for painting (as well as for staining), and knobs with inserts.
20TH CENTURY
Design masters of the 20th century that exemplify Nice Knobs ideals.
On the new “structural” Arts and Crafts furniture: “We have set before ourselves the ideals of honesty of material, solidity of construction, utility, adaptability to place, and aesthetic effect”
-- Gustav Stickley (1901)
“The best for the most for the least.”
--Charles and Ray Eames (1950)
ORNATE
Knobs with a striking design element.
PULLS
Our wood refrigerator pulls were specially designed to fill a need –l onger lengths, strong and durable, to use on appliances with custom door panels. They are also used for large drawers and pantry cabinet doors, or even to hang small towels.
The matching shorter lengths are suitable for small drawers and cabinets. Choose from three simple and graceful profile shapes, which will harmonize with any style to complete your kitchen or bath.
SALE
Wander here for discontinued items, overruns, overstocks, and custom leftovers. Find here unique wood knobs and pull es in perfect condition, at reduced prices. All items are available while current supplies last.