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- Our Craftsmanship: The Beauty of Brass
Our Craftsmanship: The Beauty of Brass
What is brass?
Brass is an alloy of copper and a minimum content of 20% zinc. Brass is the main material used in brass wind instruments such as trumpets and horns, hence the term for the music ensemble called "brass band". Brass is also used as a material for 5 yen coins and Buddhist altarware.
The properties and color of brass vary depending on the ratio of copper to zinc, with the color generally becoming lighter as the ratio of zinc increases and redder as it decreases. With a specific gravity of 8.45, it is heavier than a similar sized piece of stainless steel, which has a specific gravity of 7.7 to 7.9. Another feature of this material is that it is easy to process, can be plated, painted or polished, allowing for a large range of shapes and finishes. A simple difference of finish can significantly change the visual expression and appearance of a piece of hardware. An aged finish makes it suitable for antique interiors, while a shiny polish makes it suitable for modern and chic interiors.
A popular material in Europe
In Europe, the culture of cherishing and using old and long lasting things such as furniture contributes to the popularity of brass which complements vintage and rich interiors. By using brass for hooks and towel holders, it can further enhance the aesthetic of such design. Brass is often made by a casting process, in which a mould is made and molten brass is poured into the mould. Although, this labor intensive process makes the price higher than mass-produced products using plates, die casted brass offers a high quality, one-of-a-kind appearance.
Products that use brass
Sugatsune mainly uses brass for hooks, switch and outlet covers, handles, and towel holders. There is a lineup of products with a variety of textures, such as the "aged" series products that have a rugged vintage look or products with a clear coating that highlights the beautiful shine of the brass.
Beautiful hooks created by artisanal processing techniques and polishing
The BRASS DOUBLE HOOK PXB-BN05 from the Brass Nouveau Series is manufactured by pouring molten brass into a mould to make the initial form, then it is pressed into shape from both sides using a manufacturing method called forging. Finally, the rough edges are filed and polished to the desired smoothness. The hooks beautiful shape is produced using an artisanal polishing method that preserves the sphere's curve rather than giving it an angular appearance.
The surface of each part is polished in the same direction for a beautiful cohesive finish. In addition, the arm and the base are first polished separately. Then they are polished together to ensure that even the very edge of the joint is included.
Moreover, as hooks are made to support weight, load tolerance is another important consideration. Compared to the often used die casting procedure, forging enables a much higher level of material strength.
Special manufacturing process creates a vintage look and feel
The Aged Cast Series, Aged Screw Series, and Aged Base Series are formed by pouring hot molten brass into a mould made of sand (some exceptions apply). The moulds are also skillfully designed to create dents in the product surface, known as "nests", to give it a unique cast texture.
It is then coated with a special material and baked, artificially causing changes such as corrosion and rust to give it a unique, worn look. Handcrafted in Japan, each piece is a one-of-a-kind.
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