Fixtures and fittings are a necessity, but why settle for boring and plain, when you can have handcrafted British made ironmongery? Our Antique Collection is the perfect range if you want to create a cottage or farmhouse inspired interior.

Sometimes it’s the small details that make all the difference and with over 2000 Antique style products to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect Kirkpatrick item for your home.

How do we make out Antique finish look so authentic?

A stippled and slightly glossy iron finish gives our products it authentic antique texture. This is achieved by using antique style castings and the application of our tough powder coat protection to give it a authentic look and feel.

FRESHEN UP YOUR HOME WITH THESE EASY WAYS TO UPDATE YOUR INTERIOR THAT DOESN’T COST THE EARTH

Fleur-De-Lys Pull Handle 564

Give your cupboards a revamp by swapping plain handles to these beautiful Fleur-De-Lys pull handles 564. This design is inspired by the lily flower and has been a popular design choice for cottage style interiors for many years. This is still one of our best-selling designs and is the perfect accessory for any type of cupboard door.

Cupboard Door Knob 1949

To create that homely country kitchen feel, use our Knob 1949 to finish off your kitchen units. The simple design of this knob gives a rustic, farmhouse look and is the perfect addition to both wooden and painted kitchen units.

Hinge 814, Gate Latch 3619 and Bolt 1155

Combining our Black ironmongery with natural materials such as exposed brickwork and wood is another beautiful way to create a characterful look within your home. Here our ironmongery has been used in a recent renovation project of an old farm house.

Casement Stay 857 and Casement Fastener 1121

Window furniture is the perfect finishing touch for a room and is an easy way to create a farmhouse/ cottage style interior. If our Black finish is not to your taste, these can also be purchased in our stunning silver finishes.

Monkey Tail Coat Hook 1130

Hang your coat in style with our quirky monkey tail coat hooks 1130. Pair these with a chunky scaffold style board or piece of wood to create a design feature within your home with the added bonus of creating additional storage space.

If you would like any more inspiration for you home – take a look at our social media pages- links can be found at the bottom of this page.

Black ironmongery is the on-trend hardware for 2019! One of the key differentiating factors of our hardware is versatility, whether you simply want to give your room a subtle new look or create a stylish design feature, our malleable iron products are the perfect accessory for your home.

During the first few months of 2019, we have seen some beautiful interior looks that have been created using our Black, British made ironmongery. Here are some of our favourite examples of interior inspiration for your home this Spring.

Whatever style of home, we can provide all the right ingredients to turn a good house into a great home

Shelf brackets 813

Create gorgeous, yet functional storage space with our Shelf Bracket 813. @Bowlinggreenhousetohome (Instagram) has combined our black brackets with chunky wood to make these lovely shelves for her recently renovated bathroom.

Triple Peg Hooks 734

Another way to upgrade your storage areas is with our handcrafted hooks- here our triple peg hat and coat hooks have been paired with this pastel grey storage unit to create a stylish, yet functional hanging solution. A key trend, we have seen over the last few months is pairing our black finish with Farrow and Ball style pastel colours.

Casement Fastener 1182 & Stay 1184

Make a statement with bold black window furniture. Here our ironmongery has been used with a vibrant tropical interior to create this eye-catching contrast in colours.

Draw Pull 3960 & Knobs 1135

If you are looking for a farmhouse inspired kitchen with a modern twist, combine our black draw pulls and cupboard knobs with natural wood and pastels. Mixing these different materials together creates a subtle and timeless design.

Want more inspiration? Take a look at our customer photo gallery to see our products in-situ.

If you have used our products for you home, we would love to see. We are currently running a customer photo competition. For more information click here.

Door knockers have been used for centuries and come in many shapes and sizes. Kirkpatrick door knockers combine functionality and design to create a main focal feature for any entrance-way.

Whether you have a characterful cottage, a charming town house or a modern new build, our British handcrafted door knockers are the perfect door accessory. What-ever your style choice, we’ll have the door knocker for you.

The Classic Knockers

If a traditional knocker is what you had in mind, opt for either the Doctor’s door knocker 1005 or the Lion Head Door Knocker 4896.

Doctor’s Door Knocker 1005

This knocker gets its name from traditionally being used to identify a Doctor’s door. In the present day you see this design used on many different property styles. Due to it’s solid and slimline design this knocker has a luxurious look and feel, making it a real statement piece.

Lion Head Door Knocker 4896

This Lion Head Door Knocker is another ‘Old Classic’, that is still extremely popular and looks beautiful on any style of door. Pair with an on trend pastel shade to create a modern twist or keep it traditional by combining our Black finish with natural oak.

The Contemporary Knockers

Knockers 846 and 782

If you are looking for something more contemporary , two of the most popular knockers in our collection are the 846 and 782 due to their simplistic yet bold design. Here our Pewter finish has been used to create a subtle, yet stylish finishing touch.

The Gothic Knocker

Blacksmith Forge Door Knocker 6058

Inspired by the iconic architecture from the late medieval period, these gorgeous Gothic inspired knockers are designed to match all the door furniture in our Blacksmith Forge range. Unlike most of our door knockers, the 6058 has a smooth finish.  Choose our ‘naked silver’ Argent finish for a rustic enthused look or Black for a modern look.

The Quirky Door Knockers

Hand Door Knocker 1239 and Bat Door Knocker 2621

If something unique is more up your street, then we have a range of quirky door knockers that been added to our collection over the years. Here our Hand door knocker 1239 has been used to sprouse up a modern composite door and the Bat door knocker 2621 was selected to give a new lease of life to a renovated door.

So, whether you want a classic knocker or something a bit different, you are sure to find something in our large door knocker collection.

If you are interested in viewing all our handcrafted door knockers – please visit our Door Knockers page.  All of our handcrafted door knockers are available in Black, Argent and Pewter. A select few are also available in Brass.

Photo credits: Doctor’s Door Knocker on Oak Door : Peter Mycock, Lion Head Door Knocker on Oak: Old English Doors, Contemporary Knocker on blue door: Lemon Glass UK, Contemporary Knocker on grey door: William Richards of Shropshire, Hand Knocker: Carly Glover. All of these photos were submitted to our customer photo competition.

Now the dark and cold nights are creeping in, there is nothing better than getting cosy by the fire. We have a variety of  fireside accessories, that will help you maintain your fire and keep you toasty during these winter months.

Whether you have a traditional open fire or a trendy log burner, keeping your fire lit can be a tricky task, but we have just the right accessories to make the job easy.

Fire Pokers 

Our fire pokers are handmade from malleable iron, these products are not only practical, but look great too. Here our Antique Black finish has been used to compliment the black iron log burner. We have two styles of pokers-choose from 4185, 4187 or opt for both to create a stylish design feature on your fireplace.

Coal Tongs

Keeping a fire topped up can be difficult, but with our trusty coal tongs 2025 you will be able to top up your coal or logs with ease and keep your fire crackling throughout the evening. This product features a simple design, so it can be used safely and easily around a roaring fire.( Additional care must be taken around any open flame or log burner)

Kettle Stand

Our Stylish Kettle stands create a unique and stylish look for your fire surround, whether being used as a decorative item or for functionality. We have a range of styles to suit your home. There is something charming about a traditional fireplace and this item is ideal for creating a charming focal point.

Beetle Shoe Remover

Before coming in and sitting by the fire remove your muddy boots in style with our Beetle shoe remover. This item is not only practical but features a quirky design to liven up your porch or entrance way.

All of these products, like all Kirkpatrick malleable iron products have been manufactured from start to finish in our Walsall based foundry located in the heart of the Black Country. The products listed are available in Black, Pewter and Argent. (Please note: all images display the black finish)

Choosing what type of lever handle you need for your home can be a confusing task. We make a variety of different lever handles, suited to any style of door or requirement. Here is a basic guide to our lever handle options.

Lock 

The majority of our lever handles can be purchased in Lock, this style of handle is for use with a traditional key operated locking system. The keyhole is cut out of the backplate. Lock handles are ideal for exterior doors.

Latch 

Latch lever handles are normally used for interior doors, these feature a spring-loaded tongue, which ‘clicks’ shut holding the door closed but not locking it. This means that no locking mechanism is required, only a tubular latch. All Kirkpatrick lever handles can be made in a latch style

Bathroom 

Bathroom style lever handles feature a turn and release locking system which allows for the door to be locked and unlocked from one side for privacy without a key. All of our bathroom locks are fitted with a safety feature, which means they can be opened from the outside in-case of emergency.

Euro Cylinder 

Our Euro lever handles have a cut out keyhole shaped barrel for use with a Euro Cylinder. This is primarily used on exterior doors. When choosing this style of handle it will need to be matched with a Euro Cylinder lock. This style is primarily used on UPVC doors.

If we don’t have what you are looking for, did you know we can also make bespoke ironmongery suited to your requirements?

All Kirkpatrick Lever handles are hand cast in the UK, using traditional manufacturing techniques. Despite using traditional methods, we have also moved with the times and have a range of lever handles to suit any style of property. We are proud to be the only manufacturer of Antique Iron products able to use the Made in Britain marque.

Everyone loves admiring a beautiful view, so why not frame it with beautiful fixtures. We have a large range of window fasteners and stays that are suited to any style of home interior. Whether you want to make a statement design or keep it simple, we have the window furniture for you.

Upgrading your fixtures is an easy way to give your windows a new lease of life. If you want to create an eye-catching feature on your windows, then our best selling ‘Monkey Tail’ design is the perfect choice. This attractive window furniture can be used on both wooden windows and UPVC.

Here is an example of the ‘Monkey Tail’ furniture on a bespoke, wooden window made by the talented team at Harleston Joinery.  The other image shows the same product used on a UPVC style window.

If you want a more subtle design, that is still stylish opt for our classic pear drop furniture. Here is an example of the smooth pattern window casement stay and fastener in our Argent finish. Choosing this style of fixtures creates a modern and contemporary feel.

Traditionally black iron is associated with period properties, however black ironmongery is the perfect accessory for any window or door. Here our black finish has been used in a modern room, paired with a bright interior this creates a bold statement that is proving to be one of the latest interior design trends.

If you would like to see all of our authentic, British made window furniture. Please click here 

The 2018 Kirkpatrick catalogue is available now, this includes up to date
product ranges, codes, descriptions and other useful information. To request a copy please follow the link located at the top of this webpage.

As well as a new catalogue, we also have a variety of new products, these include Lever Handles, Window Fasteners and more.

New Product Feature

Monkey Tail Lever Handle 2432

This beautiful lever handle is a new addition to our Black Iron range. The Monkey tail design can be matched with many of our casement fasteners, casement stays and other ironmongery items.

Our other new lever handles include:

2523 , 2521 , 2522, 2445/ 1065, 2524

Traditional Casement Fastener 1031 

This beautiful casement fastener is designed to be used with UPVC windows as it features a narrow backplate. A matching casement stay is also available for this item.

Other new casement fasteners include:

1168 & 1169

Toilet Roll Holder 3001 

This quirky Gothic design toilet roll holder is ideal for period properties and will create a design statement in any bathroom.

Create design features in your outside space with Kirkpatrick Ironmongery

Ironmongery can be used to create design features inside and outside your home. Kirkpatrick have a range of beautifully handcrafted products that are prefect for giving your garden a re-vamp.

Garden Gates 

Pastels are becoming increasingly popular in outdoor spaces and have been featured in many garden design magazines in 2018. These beautiful garden gates highlight how matching black ironmongery with subtle colours creates a simple, yet eye-catching design.

These examples feature our trademark Antique Black finish, however if your prefer something a bit different, why not incorporate brass into your garden design, like one of our customers has on this beautiful sky blue gate.

We have a select range of brass item, that are hand cast and polished to create a high quality finish and style.

Cabin Hooks 

If like many people, you like to enjoy the lovely sunshine with your patio doors open, we have just the right products for you.

Kirkpatrick cabin hooks are multi-functional and can be used for sheds, gates, doors or whatever you choose.

Our handmade cabin hooks are available in a variety of sizes and finishes.

Garden/Patio Accessories 

Plants and flowers are the focal point in most outdoor spaces. Here are some of our handmade products to help you showcase these in your green areas.

Create a feature for your potted plants with the Kirkpatrick wall mounted plant pot holder 3612 and hang your baskets in style with the fleur-de-lys basket hook 4601.

All of these lovely photos have been sent in to our customer photo competition. If you have any images of Kirkpatrick products in-situ. Please send your photos to pics@kirkpatrick.co.uk or tag our social media pages. 

Top tips for caring for your ironmongery

All Kirkpatrick malleable black iron products are manufactured by hand to ensure they are of the highest quality and are finished with a two-coat system. A coat of black paint and a layer of tough powder coating give our products their unique, hard wearing finish.

However, all iron products are susceptible to some damage especially those with moving parts, these include

-Lever Handles

-Door Knockers

-Hinges

-Letter plates

Over time and with continual use the protective coating can become worn, however if you follow these simple steps and take good care of your Kirkpatrick products, they really will last a lifetime.

-Lightly oil the moving parts of your products before fitting.

-From time to time wipe over your products with an oiled cloth- this is to remove any harmful deposits and to re-apply oil to the moving parts

This is particularly important if you live in a coastal area as the salty air has a corrosive effect on iron. 

(Please note: If you live in a coastal area, we offer zinc plating which protects the products further from the salty air)

What type of oil should I use on my products? 

We would recommend using a two-in-one style lubricant oil. Please avoid using WD40 on any Kirkpatrick products as this can affect the protective coating.

What should I do if the paint has chipped on my product? 

This is extremely unusual, however with age and wear sometimes the protective paint can become chipped over time.

-Apply a hammarite type paint in ‘Black’, this will touch up any chipped areas and protect the item from further damage.

By following these simple steps, your Kirkpatrick Ironmongery will remain extremely decorative and functional for a life time and beyond.

Black Ironmongery is usually associated with period homes and traditional interior styles, however black door and window furniture is now an on-trend alternative to your standard fittings.

Here are some examples of Kirkpatrick Black Ironmongery in modern homes.

Pairing Black Ironmongery with pastel shades is the perfect combination. This stunning storage unit has been painted with a Farrow and Ball grey and finished off with Kirkpatrick Black triple peg coat hooks.

Adding a simple product like our hat and coat hook creates a design statement that is simple yet eye catching.

Alternatively, our black coat hooks can be used to create a quirky feature for hanging items around your home. Here our Blacksmith Forge Hat and Coat hooks have been used to create a unique wall feature.

Mixing Black Ironmongery with bold, bright colours is another way to create eye-catching designs throughout your home. Here we have used Kirkpatrick Black Iron window furniture to complement this tropical inspired room.

Black window furniture is the perfect way to create subtle features, that help frame a room.

Freshen up your interior with a modern twist on a traditional classic. This beautiful shelf unit is an ideal space saver. It can be used as a shelf and hanging unit with the addition of some butcher (sometimes referred to as S hooks) style hooks. Paired with wooden lathes this creates a contemporary design element, that is practical too.

For more inspiration on how to incorporate our beautiful products into your home, please click here 

Smooth, Matt and Gothic inspired….. Here is why you should purchase Kirkpatrick’s Blacksmith Forge Range

Unlike our trademark Antique style ironmongery, the Blacksmith Forge range encompasses a more modern and contemporary feel- making it ideal for the current interior design trends of 2018.

Blacksmith Forge relates back to the beautiful and iconic architecture of the 16th century with its bold and eye-catching designs. Whether you want to give a tired door a new lease of life or frame a beautiful view with beautiful ironmongery, here is how you can integrate our Blacksmith Forge range into every room in your home.

Entrances

Lever Handle 6052 & Lever Handle 6050

Whether you have rustic oak style doors or modern light / painted doors, these handles will make a bold statement that your visitors are sure to admire.

Available in Pewter, Argent or Black you will find the perfect finish to match your beautiful home.

These handles are also suitable for bother interior and exterior use.

As well as lever handles, we also have a variety of other door furniture to finish off the look of your entrance way.

Door Knocker 6058 & Letter Plate 6080

Frame your View

Matching items are available throughout the Blacksmith Forge range including our window furniture.

Shepherds Crook- This beautiful window furniture will add instant charm and character to any window- making it the perfect choice to frame your view with.

Casement stay 6069 and Fastener 6062

Monkey Tail- The most popular of all our window furniture designs is the Monkey Tail with more and more consumers opting for the matt, smooth finish.

This design suits cottage style homes and modern alike. Changing your window fittings is an easy way to freshen up the look of any room.

Casement Fastener 6063 and Stay 6070

Spice up your Kitchen

Traditionally used as coat hooks, our Blacksmith Forge hooks are multi-functional. Why not use them as an alternative, space saving tool for hanging kitchen utensils.

Hook 6065

You can View the whole Blacksmith Forge Range Here 

Kirkpatrick is passionate about producing high quality and stylish ironmongery. Whilst still using traditional manufacturing techniques, our products encompass a range of styles to suit both modern and traditional homes alike.

Unlike foreign imported ironmongery, Kirkpatrick products are skillfully handcrafted in the heart of the Black Country, in the same location from where the company was founded over 160 years ago.

Currently our products are available in two types of silver finishes……

ARGENT

Argent has a slightly stippled ‘naked’ silver finish, this is created through coating the bare metal in a protective lacquer, which highlights the subtle details of our ironmongery. This particularly style is suited to both traditional and modern style houses and creates an eye-catching design feature.

BLACKSMITH FORGE GOTHIC LEVER HANDLE 6052

Most of our products are available in the Argent finish, including Door Handles, Window furniture and other general ironmongery.

THUMB LATCH 3619

This quirky design Thumb Latch is a great product to revamp your interior doors, the unique design looks stylish on natural or painted wooden doors.

PEWTER

The Pewter finish differs from Argent a powder coated finish is used to create a long lasting metallic Pewter effect. This finish is available on most Kirkpatrick products.

CASEMENT FASTENER 1601 & CASEMENT STAY 1600

We have a vast range of designs and styles in all of our fixtures, ensuring that we have the right product for your home.

To see all our product ranges, finishes and styles please visit our website

www.kirkpatrick.co.uk

Alternatively to find your local stockist or an online stockist please click on the link below

STOCKISTS

Here at Kirkpatrick we are keen to support and build relationships with organisations in and around local areas and we are now pleased to announce we are Platinum sponsors of Cannock Cricket Club.

This family friendly sporting club based at Chase Park, Cannock has been running for nearly as long as Kirkpatrick. Founded in 1860 Cannock Cricket Club has been around for an amazing 158 years and is still going strong with 6 teams participating in local leagues and a selection of coaching programmes for junior players.

Message from the club

“Cannock Cricket club are extremely grateful to Kirkpatrick Limited for the sponsorship given to the club this season. All money raised goes towards maintaining the very high standard of our facilities at Chase Park and the funding our junior section.”

We are extremely proud of contributing funds for local clubs and supporting junior players.

Cannock Cricket Club are always looking for new members to join of any age group, to find out more please visit  their website

Ironmongery for valentines, why not?

We have a range of products that fit in beautifully with valentines day and will make lovely additions to any home.

All Kirkpatrick products are made from whiteheart malleable iron ensuring our products are superior in quality and strength.

Here are 4 heart themed products to incorporate into your home this February

❤ THUMB LATCH 3619❤

This elegant and quirky Thumb Latch 3619 combines functionality and style. Available in Pewter, Argent and Antique Black this beautiful malleable iron product will suit any style of home.

❤HINGE FRONT 978❤

Give your doors a new lease of life with these highly decorative and elegant heart cut out hinge fronts. Simple details can create a bold and eye-catching look on both interior and exterior doors.

Pairing black ironmongery with pastel colours creates a classic style that will be admired for many years to come.

❤CABINET HANDLE 1217❤

Have you got an item of furniture that’s tired, old and needs a bit of TLC? Why not give it a revamp with these charming heart shaped handles, to create a fresh and stylish design.

Manufactured here in the heart of the UK all our malleable iron products are handcrafted from start to finish.

❤PULL HANDLE 3603❤

Sturdy, stylish and silver: The Pull Handle 3603 in Argent will add subtle details to your interior doors.

Furnish your home this February with British made ironmongery that really will last a lifetime.

To find your local stockist visit our stockist page

Last year, we published a post about the Kirkpatrick Scholarship and asked if anyone could shed more light on the history of this award and our company.

Today we were contacted by Margaret, who has informed us that the Kirkpatrick Scholarship Programme was established in 1894 from £500 donation made by Miss Sarah Janet Kirkpatrick.

Margaret is currently writing a biography on Ethel Clara Liggins, an artist who was awarded the Kirkpatrick Scholarship in 1905.

Ethel was a student at the Walsall Science and Art Institute and was the first women to receive the scholarship. £13 per annum was awarded for three years.

It is great to learn about the history of the family of Mr William Kirkpatrick, who founded our company over 160 years ago and how involved they were in the Walsall community.

We would like to say a special thank – you to Margaret for enlightening us on this snippet of Kirkpatrick Ltd History.

Here is an image showing the foundation stone of the Science and Art Insitute being laid, Mr Kirkpatrick, the Mayor of Walsall at the time, is in this photo.

Below you can read the previous post about the Kirkpatrick Scholarship.

We recently received a visit from a family who needed to purchase some coal tongs for a Christmas gift. Nothing unusual in that and we are always keen to show visitors around and demonstrate the high quality of our products and how they are superior to any others. It transpired that the family had connections with Walsall so this made the choice even more appropriate.

We subsequently received an e-mail from the family informing us that they had recently been sorting out their late father’s papers and had found a certificate showing that he had been awarded the “Kirkpatrick Scholarship” at Walsall Technical College in 1950/51. The family was wondering whether there was a connection with Kirkpatrick Ltd.

We are unable to say for sure but we are fairly certain that there is a connection. It is well known that William Kirkpatrick, our founder, was Mayor of Walsall in 1886/87 and was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Walsall Municipal Science and Art Institute. Indeed, the foundation stone still shows his name on the building. After his death, his son Vincent Kirkpatrick, was one of the Vice-Presidents of the Institute. It seems reasonable to assume, therefore, that given their philanthropic nature, then it would not be unusual for them to sponsor a local scholarship.

The image to the left shows a copy of the Certificate from 1950/51. If anyone can shed any more light on this or on any more history of our Company then we would be glad to know of it.

Ironmongery home interiors  – bringing traditional British style and quality to your home 

Have you ever thought about traditional ironmongery for your home?

If not, we can show you how fitting it can be – with plenty of choice from our high quality products to suit a vast range of styles  – both period and contemporary.

From high-end home accessories, to door and window furniture, hinges, bolts and brackets, our  stunning product range makes a stylish addition to any home, and with black, pewter, brass and argent finishes, complements every interior design trend from industrial through to rustic, minimalist to steampunk.

Whether you are looking to emulate the ‘hygge’ principals of cosy living, spruce up your home in time for the nights drawing in, or have a hardware make-over to totally transform your living space, Kirkpatrick will have a  product to suit your lifestyle, taste and wallet:

Light up your life with Kirkpatrick’s interior and exterior wall-lamps, beautifully hand crafted in iron and glass to create a warming glow around the home.

Be stoked by our  welcoming fireside accessories, including pokers, coal tongs and kettle stands – the perfect accompaniment to a wood burning stove, open or decorative fireplace, or just as a quirky decorative touch whatever your interior theme.

Have great curb appeal with a classic Victorian boot scraper on your front step, and elegant iron plant holders and basket hooks adorning exterior walls and walkways.

But you don’t have to take our word for it.

Rachel Newcombe, homes and interiors writer and editor of Fresh Design Blog www.freshdesignblog.com says: “If you’re renovating or restoring a period property, putting traditional touches in can really bring the property to life and give it a truly authentic feel. Ironmongery is a great example of this and there are plenty of ways in which you can use ironmongery products in period homes to finish them off to a tee, such as through adding traditional door fixtures and fittings or window furniture.

“In a living room where you’re restoring a fireplace, traditional black ironmongery can be used to provide the finishing touches around the fireside – think kettle stands, coal tongs or pokers.

It’s great to invest in traditional skills and products and have the knowledge that the pieces you’re choosing should last for generations to come.

Welcome to the Kirkpatrick blog! Made in Britain matters!

Hello and welcome to the Kirkpatrick blog – this is our new space to keep you up to date about what’s going on at the heart of our operations. We know it’s good to look behind the scenes when you are getting to know a potential supplier and find out more about a company’s history, ethos and vision.

We’re delighted to let you know what’s happening – but what exactly do you blog about after more than 160 years of existence, when you’re now the only surviving black ironmongery company of its type in the UK?

How proud that makes us – that’s what!

You can already read what makes us special in our ‘about us’ section, or learn more about how our goods are handmade to last. Or why not meet our fantastic people who make up our close-knit team?

So, for our first blog post, let’s shine a light on one of our guiding principles – how privileged we are still be made in Britain and what it means to our customers.

Have you heard of the thriving Made in Britain community? We’re delighted to be members and to carry its stamp of approval on our site.  This high-profile organisation supports and promotes British manufacturing, enabling buyers and consumers at home and abroad to identify British-made products.

That’s very important for us — we have a rich tradition of manufacturing in the heart of the Midlands and one that we are working hard to maintain.

Our methods are tried and tested and our many loyal customers are a testament to our commitment to outstanding service. Our authenticity and craftsmanship are renowned through the UK and beyond. Our products last a lifetime!

So, what are the benefits of still being made in Britain after all these years?

Our customers love it!
British consumers are favouring home-produced products more and more. We see a positive future as discerning buyers turn their back on cheap imports to back British manufacturing.

A boost for the economy
Your support means more investment, more products and more jobs. We’re thrilled to support the local, regional and national economy – ultimately boosting standards of living too!

Building skills
We’re investing in our people. We have a very low staff turnover rate with generations of families relying on us for employment. We train and develop our people – encouraging a wider skill set. Why buy a low quality imported product when we have the traditional skills right here in the UK to offer a more authentic, high quality product?

Quality maintained
When work is produced at home rather than abroad, this brings greater trust and peace of mind. You have full knowledge of where your purchase has come from and that quality standards are not only upheld but exceeded.

Realistic costs
We are transparent and cost-effective – largely due to our UK origin.

Fair working practices
Not for us the mysterious working conditions we hear about too often from companies with workers abroad. Buying from us means buying from a company that complies with guidelines and legislation on fairness at work.

Eco bonus
You guessed it! Buying British products in Britain means a road less travelled. We reduce our carbon footprint and when you choose to buy from us, you can also bask in the glory of helping save the planet.

We recently received a visit from a family who needed to purchase some coal tongs for a Christmas gift. Nothing unusual in that and we are always keen to show visitors around and demonstrate the high quality of our products and how they are superior to any others. It transpired that the family had connections with Walsall so this made the choice even more appropriate.

We subsequently received an e-mail from the family informing us that they had recently been sorting out their late father’s papers and had found a certificate showing that he had been awarded the “Kirkpatrick Scholarship” at Walsall Technical College in 1950/51. The family was wondering whether there was a connection with Kirkpatrick Ltd.

We are unable to say for sure but we are fairly certain that there is a connection. It is well known that William Kirkpatrick, our founder, was Mayor of Walsall in 1886/87 and was one of the driving forces behind the establishment of the Walsall Municipal Science and Art Institute. Indeed, the foundation stone still shows his name on the building. After his death, his son Vincent Kirkpatrick, was one of the Vice-Presidents of the Institute. It seems reasonable to assume, therefore, that given their philanthropic nature, then it would not be unusual for them to sponsor a local scholarship.

The image to the left shows a copy of the Certificate from 1950/51. If anyone can shed any more light on this or on any more history of our Company then we would be glad to know of it.

That’s the country….not the shop! We were recently sent a few photos from a gentleman in Iceland who purchased our products for some gates he was making. This photo includes our 2442 lever handle, a 586 door knocker and 819 hinge fronts, (dummy hinges).

We currently send our malleable iron door and window furniture to the USA, Eire, Sweden, Holland and Japan amongst other countries. If anyone from outside the UK has any images of our products in situ please send them to us and we will be glad to feature them here.

Follow this link to see how to fit a Butler Bell using our 1053 bell pull. This video was filmed by our friends at Cast in Style:

https://www.facebook.com/castinstyleuk/?fref=ts

We were very pleased to welcome Donna and Nikki from Castinstyle to our factory last week. To say they found it interesting would be an understatement. Follow their posts here:

https://www.facebook.com/castinstyleuk/?fref=ts

We are always keen to show anyone around our factory. Kirkpatrick is the only remaining UK manufacturer of traditional black ironmongery. You would have to visit India to see any of our competitor’s products being made.

The photo shows our despatch team with Donna.

L-R Jack, Mark, Donna, Keith, Neil, John.

Thank you to SS for this kind message:

“I have received the gate replacement gate latch and have just fitted it.  It works perfectly and is so much better than the latch originally supplied by the gate installer.  It is much heavier, obviously of much better quality and looks like it will last a lifetime.

Thank you and your company for confirming my faith in British workmanship and quality.  If only everybody could get to try these latches they would not wish to settle for anything less.”

Not sure how many of you saw Countryfile on BBC on 4^th September but they did a feature on supermarkets and how they use brand names. Basically, they are using clever marketing techniques which give the impression that meat is sourced from UK farms when, in fact, this is not necessarily the case. Tesco were featured but the suggestion was that others do the same thing. Tesco have brands such as Boswell Farms and Woodside Farms. Most people buying meat would tend to look at the brand and assume it was from a bona fide farm in the UK. Look more closely at the label and this is not the case even though it may be packed in the UK.

There is a similar situation we have in the ironmongery industry. Kirkpatrick Ltd is the only UK manufacturer of traditional Black Ironmongery but our competitors use similar marketing techniques to suggest that their products are made in the UK whereas they originate in India. The use of British place names give the impression of traditional British products but where is the Union Jack or a statement to the effect that they are truly British Made? The answer is that they can’t do this because it would be untrue. Kirkpatrick are the only supplier who can truly say this and we are entitled to use the Union Jack and more specifically, the Official Made in Britain logo.

It’s a pity, really, that although the food industry has to state the origin of the product somewhere on the packing this does not apply to ironmongery. We do what we can to educate our customers and our customers’ customers, (ie, the end user), but it is difficult. People see a traditional looking product in a nicely produced catalogue or website, (maybe with an accompanying video showing something being produced) and assume that it is being manufactured in the UK. The importers certainly don’t do anything to change this perception.  A few weeks ago our Sales Director had to “re-educate” one of our stockists who still insisted that the products of one of our competitors were produced in the UK. If our stockists don’t know then what chance do the general public have?

So while everyone doesn’t want a British product and is willing to buy a cheap and cheerful imported one, how many people out there have been “duped” into thinking that they were buying into a product line full of authenticity and high quality? How many people have attempted to attain a traditional look in their British home but done so with an Indian product? Judging by the reaction on Twitter to the Countryfile feature it seems that the British public don’t approve of being misled.

Some won’t be bothered but if anyone out there wants an authentic piece of traditional British Black Ironmongery just ask where the product originates from. Basically, if it is not Kirkpatrick it is not British.

The photo shows one of our 1564 lever handles alongside a pair which were not manufactured by Kirkpatrick. Its an interesting story. In the early 1980’s there were three Companies within half a mile of our factory all making similar products, (we still have copies of their catalogues). The other two, (Hope Works and Old World Fittings), both fell by the wayside leaving Kirkpatrick as the only UK manufacturer of traditional Black Ironmongery. We had a visit recently from a gentleman who lives locally who bought these levers around 30 years ago.  To the untrained eye, maybe, these handles look very similar. We identified immediately, however, that they were not made by us. The antique effect is not as authentic as ours but the other obvious difference is that the method of springing is different.

The customer’s problem was that the springs inside the handles had failed and he wondered if we could replace them. We do get  enquiries like this from time to time but the products involved are generally cheaper, low quality imports and we have to say “no”. On this occasion, however, because of the local connection, we accepted the challenge. We were able to dismantle the handles and by adapting our own springs we were able to re-assemble the lever with the original springing method providing a virtually new set of door furniture, even though it was over 30 years old! (We also had to re-coat them with our powder coat finish).

This demonstrates the skills of our workforce and the way we, as a Company, will always go the extra mile to find a solution to a customer’s problem. We take pride in our customer service.

Choosing the correct Ironmongery for your home is vitally important because as well as being functional it can also be decorative and it will add the finishing touch to the look that you have spent so long trying to achieve.

DOOR FURNITURE

Perhaps the most basic item on a door is the hinge. The type of hinge you choose will depend upon a number of factors including the style of the door and its frame and also the weight of the door. The most basic type of hinge is a butt hinge which is designed to be cut into the frame and the door so that it is largely hidden from view when the door is closed. Thought should be given to the weight of the door in question as heavier doors may require additional hinges. Hinge fronts or dummy hinges can be added to the door as decoration.

More ornamental hinges are also available and are particularly suited to ledged and braced doors.

Consideration will need to be given to whether a Door Knob or Lever Handle is preferred for opening and closing the door. You will need to decide whether the door is going to be locked or not. Generally, (but not always), internal doors are not locked so a normal latch plate on a lever handle will suffice. On more traditional properties a Thumb Latch can be used for securing a door. These are available in a number of different designs.

Lever handles will also be available with a privacy bolt for bathrooms, for example.

External doors will require a lock. A traditional lever handle will operate a 5 lever mortice lock. A modern front door may have a multipoint locking system which can also be operated by lever handle.

Door knobs can be more difficult to operate by anyone of restricted mobility and consideration should be given to this. Door knobs can be used in conjunction with Rim locks. Additional security can be given by the use of a separate British Standard 5 lever mortice lock and by the use of rack bolts.

The finish and style of your door furniture will complement the age and style of your home. It will also be possible to match your door furniture to a certain extent so that a handle and a letter plate on a front door will match.

WINDOW FURNITURE

Similar consideration will need to be given to your choice of Window fittings. The type of fitting will depend upon your window. Window fasteners, for example can be fixed with a Hook Plate or Mortice Plate depending upon the style of frame. In addition, they can be lockable and can also operate a three point locking system. Window fasteners can generally be matched with a stay. To add to security locking pivots are available. Sash type windows will require different fittings.

If UPVc windows have been specified it is still possible to give a period feel by the use of specially adapted stays and fasteners. Additional variations also cater for night vents. It is also possible to add further security by the use of window rack bolts.

Certain considerations need to apply to both window and door furniture. Care instructions are generally included with most products and these should be adhered to so that your furniture retains its look and functionality.

Because Door and Window furniture is both functional and decorative it is always advisable to look for the highest possible quality. In recent years the UK market has been flooded with products with English sounding names but which are actually imported from India and China. However, it is still possible to obtain much higher quality British products.  They will last longer and look more authentic.

Look out also for matching cabinet furniture and general internal ironmongery.

Its the middle of summer, (apparently), but we are looking ahead to the even colder days ahead with our new heating system. Part of our longer term plans was to upgrade the heating system at some stage. Exactly when it was first installed is not known but our offices and warehouse were built in 1960 so that part of it is at least 50 years old. The other part of the system covers what we call our Machine Shop, where our malleable iron door and window furniture is assembled. This part of the premises must date back to the 1930’s.

We had a breakdown just before the end of last year when one of the old cast iron water pipes sprung a leak. Although a temporary repair was put in place it was obvious that this wouldn’t be a long term solution so we decided to upgrade to a new energy efficient system. The photo shows some of the old pipework which we have removed and the boiler and warm air heaters in the warehouse which should keep us nice and warm in the winter months and also save us money in terms of energy consumption.

Currently, we are also installing modern radiant heating in the Machine shop.

Following the successful launch of our new look website last year, we have been hard at work collating a wide range of traditional and contemporary ironwork into our latest (and hopefully greatest) product guide.

We are pleased to let you know that the hours of perspiration and inspiration have paid off and it’s now in our hands and ready to send out to anyone who appreciates products which are handmade and British from start to finish.

We understand that nowadays many people prefer to view online – but there’s plenty of us who still prefer the good old fashioned experience of beautiful print.

We can smell the fresh ink of a brochure, flick through the pages at our leisure, carry it from room to room and even take it along to the stockists once we have decided upon the perfect choice for our homes or business.

Why not order your copy now and please let us know your thoughts too, as we’d love to hear from you. Happy reading from everyone here at Kirkpatrick.

These are just a very small selection of old printing blocks we have in our offices. They are all kept in what appear to be bespoke drawers/cabinets. We have to be honest and say that we are only assuming that they were used for printing purposes. No-one who currently works here has ever known them to be used. You can see a selection of lever and door pull handles.

Can anyone shed any light on how these were used? Is there a museum anywhere that would be interested in looking at them?

One day, when we get time we will set up a heritage room featuring some of these sorts of things plus old products, old documents, old photographs showing how Kirkpatrick Ltd has evolved over 160 years to the position where it is now the only remaining UK manufacturer of traditional Black Antique Ironmongery.

On a recent visit to Lincoln we saw the original Lincoln Imp. This cross legged creature has graced the pages of our traditional ironmongery catalogues for many years. It is always classed as a bedroom door knocker because of its relatively small size compared with a front door knocker.

The Imp is located in the Angel Choir located at the East end of the building.