Lacquer

Partly, and at two key moments. The starting model is 3D printed, which guarantees precision in the design and real consistency from piece to piece. But the entire finish is done by hand: demolding, sanding, patina, protection, and visual inspection all pass through our hands, one piece at a time. That's the touch that gives each handle its slightly unique signature.

Our process is designed to stay lean. Cold casting skips the very high heat and the disposable mold that foundry work requires, and we produce only the material the piece itself needs, with no sprue to remelt. We work in small batches, close to actual demand, rather than building up large stock. Most of our restraint comes from the process itself: less energy than a foundry, less waste, less overproduction.

We make small batches and measure out the metal powder and resin as closely as possible to what each order calls for, which limits leftover material at the source. The silicone mold serves several pieces before it's replaced. We'd rather produce just what's needed than generate offcuts to deal with later. That's the whole point of working to order: little stock, little waste.

In practice, the question rarely comes up: a Holdon handle is made to last for decades, and we archive the 3D model of every piece so it can be remade identically. Our metal handles combine metal powder and epoxy resin, a blend that doesn't sort like solid metal at a recycling center. If you'd like to part with older pieces, we offer to take them back at the atelier instead of the trash. It's the cleanest way to give them a second life.

As a small atelier, we don't hold a full REACH certification: the process is heavy and costly, and few small ateliers carry it. That said, all our raw materials are themselves REACH compliant: European metal powders, resin, patinas, and protective treatments. On request, we can send you the safety data sheets for each material, useful for an architect's file or a bid submission.

Yes. 3D printing the master, molding, casting, sanding, and patina: it all happens in our Paris workshop. Our metal powders and resins come from European suppliers, and both assembly and finishing stay French. Every piece is checked by eye in our workshop before it ships.

In a humid room or one exposed to splashes, kitchen and bathroom, metals are the safer choice: bronze, copper, brass, and aluminum hold up very well against household moisture. Bioresin, on the other hand, is best kept to dry rooms, bedroom, closet, living room, office, where its bold colors shine. The one contraindication common to all materials is outdoor use exposed to the elements. If you're unsure about a mixed-use room like a laundry room, go with metal: it's more forgiving.

All the finishes available in Lacquer are listed above, with their grain and tone. Compare the descriptions, open the ones that speak to you, and look at the finished handles that use them, that's the best way to decide. The same material can look very different depending on the finish, from the mattest to the most vivid. To understand the general logic of finishes, see the finishes page.

Material is the substance the handle is made of: bronze, copper, brass, aluminum, or bioresin. Finish is the surface treatment that follows, setting the grain, matte, satin, brushed, as well as the tone, patina, lacquer, or pigment. The same material can give rise to several finishes, none of which share the same light or the same touch. You choose the material first, then the finish that dresses it. See the finishes page for details.

Yes for metal finishes (bronze, copper, brass, aluminum), which handle household steam very well. Bioresin, more sensitive to prolonged moisture, should be avoided in these situations. On a built-in dishwasher, choose a metal material and wipe the piece down after high-temperature cycles. That is the only thing to remember for a front exposed to steam.

A soft, slightly damp cloth is enough in most cases. For a kitchen handle exposed to greasy buildup, add a drop of mild soap, liquid Marseille soap or diluted dish soap. Then wipe with a dry cloth to avoid streaks. That's all it takes day to day: no specialty product, no complicated routine.

Yes, on one key point. Metal finishes (bronze, copper, brass, aluminum) tolerate mild cleaners, a bit of diluted vinegar, and even household steam. Bioresin, on the other hand, should only be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap, no alcohol, no solvent, no concentrated vinegar. Day to day care stays simple either way, it's mainly the list of products to avoid that differs. Each product page specifies the exact care for its material.

It depends mainly on the finish you choose, not just the material. A patinated finish, like Antique Bronze or Antique Copper, stays alive: it keeps evolving gently over time, and that's exactly the point. A matte, glossy, or colored finish is stabilized by its surface treatment and won't change. In short, Lacquer sets the starting point, the finish decides how it behaves over time. Open a finish's page for its precise evolution.