Traditional Hand-Forged Ironmongery Range Explainer

Published: 14 November 2025 | Last Reviewed: 14 November 2025

This post is part of our regularly reviewed content series, ensuring all advice remains accurate and relevant to your home project.

Author: Carl Benson

Carl is the founder of Suffolk Latch Company, with a background in engineering and over 20 years’ experience in home hardware. He works closely with suppliers and designers alike to develop quality ironmongery that stands the test of time. Read my full bio.

Introduction
Suffolk Latches
Cottage Latches
Latch Sets
Latch Accessories
Hand-Forged Door Bolts
Pull Handles
T-Hinges
H and HL Hinges
Butterfly Hinges
Hand-Forged Nails & Studs
Related Reading

Introduction

In period homes, cottages, barn conversions and heritage-style interiors, the door hardware you choose makes a noticeable difference. Suffolk Latch Company’s traditional door furniture range includes all the essential fittings — from hand-forged latches and cottage-style ring latches to door bolts, hooks, pull handles and hinges — all made with a consistent, traditional style in mind. These pieces are designed for practical use while reflecting historical methods of manufacture, making them a reliable and appropriate choice for older properties or period-styled renovations.

Many of the items in the range are hand-forged using blacksmithing techniques that date back centuries. The result is hardware that looks appropriate for older settings and feels solid in use. Finishes like black beeswax and rustic pewter are used throughout the range, so door latches, bolts and hinges can be matched easily. A beeswax Suffolk latch can be paired with black T-hinges, or a pewter cottage latch can be installed alongside pewter-finished bolts and pull handles, helping maintain a consistent look throughout a property.

While the design is traditional, the products are intended for everyday use. Suffolk latches remain a good choice for ledge and brace doors, and cottage latches offer a slightly different style using a ring turn to lift the latch bar. A heavier Tudor version is available for garden gates and external use. Matching hand-forged bolts provide a simple way to add privacy to a bathroom or secure a cupboard, and like the latches, they are made from solid steel and finished to match the rest of the range.

The collection also includes traditional pull handles and coat hooks. The handles are available in classic patterns like penny end and arrow end, and work well on cupboards, drawers or internal doors that don’t require a latch. Hooks can be used for coats, robes or window shutters and are supplied in the same finishes for a uniform appearance.

To complete the setup, the traditional hinge collection includes T-hinges, strap hinges and heritage styles like H, HL and butterfly hinges. All are hand-forged from mild steel and supplied with matching slotted screws. These hinges are strong enough for heavy timber doors and are designed to match the latches in finish and profile. Options with protective coatings are also available for exterior use.

Together, the range covers everything needed to furnish timber doors with fittings that feel appropriate to the building. The look is consistent, the materials are robust, and the fittings are designed to be used — not just admired.

Every latch, hinge, and handle in our hand-forged range is shaped using time-honoured blacksmithing methods — ensuring every piece feels authentic to its period.

Suffolk Latches

Suffolk latches are a traditional thumb-operated latch used on plank or ledge and brace doors. They provide a simple, reliable way to open and close internal doors and remain one of the most recognisable pieces of period ironmongery. Featuring classic penny or arrow ends and are available in beeswax or pewter finishes.

Cottage Latches

Cottage latches use a ring turn mechanism rather than a thumb lever, giving a distinctive look often found in rural or early Victorian interiors. The ring lifts the latch bar to release the door, making them suitable for both right- and left-hand installations. Matching keepers and screws are included for ease of fitting.

Latch Sets

Latch sets are fitted to doors requiring access from one side only, such as pantries or cupboards. Operated by a small knob rather than a thumb lever, they maintain a consistent look with full Suffolk latches. Each set includes the latch bar, keeper, and staple, all hand-forged and finished to match other ironmongery in the collection.

The beauty of traditional ironmongery lies in its practicality. These fittings were made to be used daily — strong, simple, and built to last.

Latch Accessories

A full range of latch accessories and spare parts is available, including replacement bars, thumb pieces, staples, and privacy adaptors. These are ideal for refurbishing existing fittings or converting standard latches for internal bathrooms or bedrooms where privacy is required.

Hand-Forged Door Bolts

Traditional hand-forged door bolts offer a secure and authentic solution for internal or external doors. Available in straight or cranked versions with penny, fishtail, or shepherd’s crook ends, they provide reliable strength and complement the rest of the hand-forged range. Pewter and Armor Coat options are available for moisture-prone areas.

Pull Handles

Pull handles are used on cupboard doors, drawers, and internal doors that do not require a latch mechanism. Designs such as penny end, arrow end, and gothic styles allow you to match other hand-forged fittings throughout a property. Each handle is supplied with fixing screws and is forged from solid steel.

T-Hinges

T-hinges are the traditional choice for plank and ledge doors, offering both strength and decorative appeal. The long strap supports the weight of heavy timber doors while the “T” shape provides stability. Available in light, medium, and heavy-duty options.

From cottages to converted barns, hand-forged hardware adds a sense of heritage that machine-made fittings simply can’t replicate.

H and HL Hinges

H and HL hinges are surface-mounted heritage fittings used for cupboard doors, shutters, and full-sized internal doors. The H hinge suits smaller joinery, while the HL version includes an additional arm for extra strength. Both types are forged in mild steel and finished to match the rest of the range.

Butterfly Hinges

Butterfly hinges feature decorative wings that make them ideal for cabinetry, cupboards, and small internal doors. Their symmetrical design allows easy alignment and adds visual interest to traditional joinery. Hand-forged steel construction ensures lasting performance with an authentic period appearance.

Hand-Forged Nails & Studs

Hand-forged nails and decorative studs complete the collection, offering a finishing touch for traditional doors and furniture. Each piece is shaped individually using age-old blacksmithing methods. They can be used for functional fixing or as period detailing to enhance the appearance of timber joinery.

Traditional ironmongery connects homes to their past — each piece a small reminder of the craftsmanship that defined British joinery.

Explore our in-depth guides to traditional hand-forged ironmongery, including fitting advice, finish options, and usage for period homes.