When you’re dealing with a house renovation, redecorating a room, or fixing up a piece of furniture, you may wonder whether spending more on a piece of hardware is really worth it. After all, if they look similar on a screen, what’s the difference between luxury cabinet hardware and something lower priced?

At Armac Martin, we’ve been crafting solid brass cabinet hardware at our home in Birmingham, the heart of England, since 1927. In that time, we’ve seen new brands launch here at home and across the world, we’ve seen some of our original designs replicated often overseas in cheaper materials, so we know first-hand the benefits that investing in quality, solid brass hardware brings.

Here’s why solid brass cabinet hardware is worth the investment, and why Armac Martin is, and will always be, a name you can trust.

Quality material
Hardware is made to be touched. Cabinet knobs, door handles, drawer pulls… we use them every day. But with touch comes wear. Solid brass resists everyday wear and tear, and due to its high copper content, it resists rust too.

Brass is sturdy, durable and can hold its own under pressure – there’s no bending or breaking. It feels substantial without weighing down your cabinetry, providing an experience that is ergonomic and tactile and, of course, aesthetically pleasing.

This is a “buy once” material. Invest in solid brass, and you’ll be investing in heirloom quality hardware.

It gets better with age
Brass is a natural material. Unlacquered brass hardware ages beautifully and develops its own unique natural patina, giving a genuinely lived-in look and becoming a part of your home’s history. If you’d rather this character wasn’t on show, you can choose plated or lacquered options, or our unlacquered polished brass option can be polished up so it looks as good as new.

Your choice of finishes
At Armac Martin, we have 20 different brass finishes, each one developed to suit a variety of homes and interior styles. For classic and timeless, choose our aged brass (BEL) finish, while our polished brass lacquered (PBL) finish has a glossier look, and our polished nickel plate (PNP) finish is perfect if you want a slightly warmer alternative to chrome. View our full portfolio of solid brass finishes.

Choose between lacquered and unlacquered finishes
You’ve probably heard of lacquered and unlacquered brass. But what’s the difference?

In short, unlacquered brass (also known as a living brass finish) oxidises and ages over time, developing its own natural patina. Lacquered brass hardware is coated with a clear lacquer to protect the surface from oxidising with the air, maintaining its colour for an extended period.

Read our guide to brass finishes for more details.

Fits your design aesthetic
Luxury rooms deserve better hardware, especially when you’ve put thought and hard work into your new design. Solid brass cabinet hardware is truly the finishing touch.

We have different finishes, and original and authentic designs loved by interior designers and homeowners alike, and every piece of hardware at Armac Martin is designed to be used across the home.

You can choose the same styles and finishes for your kitchen cabinet hardware, wardrobe doors, bathroom cupboards and more for a cohesive look, or mix it up for spaces that are distinctive yet complementary. And if you’re unsure where to start, a design consultation at our flagship showroom in London’s Design Centre Chelsea Harbour is only an email away.

Alongside our extensive finish collection, original designs and solid brass specialism, it’s our history, time-honoured skills, commitment to responsible manufacturing, and global recognition that sets Armac Martin cabinet hardware and interior accessories apart.

97 years of British manufacturing heritage
It was Harold McGrail, a specialist in reproduction brass furniture fittings, who started our story in 1929. Almost a century later, we’re proud to still be a British brass hardware manufacturer. Our fourth-generation family business is still designing and manufacturing luxury solid brass and bronze cabinet hardware and interior accessories in our home city of Birmingham, England.

We use skills and expertise passed down through our 97-year heritage, blending our knowledge and passion with precision engineering, using the latest CNC machinery, tooling and programming to remain at the cutting edge of manufacturing.

Every piece is hand-finished
We may use the best technology, but all of our solid brass cabinet hardware and accessories have the human touch too. All of our products pass through a minimum of 10 hands before they’re finished and at the high standard of quality we hold ourselves to. It takes our hand-polishers up to five years to become fully trained in their craft, so when you buy a piece of Armac Martin hardware, you’re buying years of dedication too.

Committed to sustainability
Each year, we produce 40 tonnes of brass swarf. Brass is 100% recyclable and the material is melted down allowing us to then reuse the brass to create beautiful new products. This is a much more economical method compared to continually harvesting new raw material for our collections.

In 2021, we pledged to reduce our carbon emissions by 2025. At the end of 2024, we surpassed this by achieving a 70% reduction. This places us in a strong position as we work towards our goal of reaching net zero by 2041 and was largely achieved by installing a solar PV system in 2025, which has enabled us to reduce our Scope one and two electricity emissions to zero.

We recently undertook a carbon audit of the entire business and are committed to undertaking annual reports to measure our progress in line with our growth and sustainability targets.

We’re continuously reviewing and improving our practices to create a more sustainable future for us all.

Globally regarded as the best
Renowned interior designers often use Armac Martin cabinet hardware and interior accessories in their projects and in their own homes, loved for their original designs, luxury finish, and longevity. We’ve even collaborated with interior designers to create exclusive collections.