Knowing what kind of pulls to use for each piece of furniture is one of the finer points of design. By making a set of pulls that complement the project, you will get a more refined and detailed design for even the simplest item. And, when the project is a gift, this adds a final touch that only a handcrafted pull can give.
The process of making your own pulls can be quite simple or it can take some careful planning and fine execution. Handmade pulls can be the focal point of a project or a simple addition to a well-made piece of furniture.
The design process
As with standard, factory-made pulls, the size and style should be compatible with the mood and look of the piece. A small, delicate pull will work wonders on a jewelry box, yet seem out of place on a large armoire. No matter what the finished pull looks like, it should be comfortable to grasp and offer a positive, precise feel.
My design process starts in one of two ways. Often, I pick up a piece of softwood 2x4 stock and start whittling. Softwood 2x4s are cheap, soft enough to be worked easily and almost always thick enough to yield enough material for experimenting. I use every trick—and tool—in the book to play around and come up with something that’s comfortable to grip and looks great on the project. The alternative is stumbling across an idea by accident. I may be working on a completely unrelated task as something catches my eye: two mouldings might look good when they’re placed side by side, or a small offcut turns out looking really intriguing. I experiment, and a new design emerges. Keeping your eyes and mind open to these little bits of inspiration will ensure that you never run out of ideas.
Once I have a prototype pull that’s close to being complete, I use double-sided tape to position it in place temporarily. I view it from a couple of angles and test it out. I then make slight modifications to fine-tune the pull’s comfort and appearance.
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