Readers are constantly sending emails asking where to find cabinet pulls for vintage kitchen cabinets made by Youngstown, Geneva, and other makers. The answer: Not an easy one, I am afraid.
For example, the chevrons aka boomerangs above, on 2-3/4″ centers, are classic early Youngstowns. The Geneva’s that are most problematic are the kind with the recessed, plastic backplate.
The vintage Youngstowns CAN be found – but you are going to have to hunt and peck and search and wait.
- Watch ebay like a hawk – they DO come up
- Try sites like historichouseparts.com (I helped a reader find some there just last year – they are still shown under “Jamestown” cabinets – a seller of Youngstowns, I believe)
- Liz’s Antique Hardware
- Rejuvenation for new reproductions
- Crown City Hardware for new reproductions
The Geneva backplate issue has been a difficult one for years, again as far as I know. I started hunting for my steel cabinets about 7 years ago. I constantly saw this question asked on forums. I know of no source for them.
Meanwhile: Be sure to see my Category called “Cabinet Hardware” for replacement choices.
Sheliah Wall says
I have a old white steel hutch with these type of cabinet and drawer pulls. Can you tell me what time periods these types of pulls were used?
pam kueber says
Hi Sheliah, in general, I think these are post-World-War II. That was when production was running at its highest levels. However, steel cabinets were available earlier in the century. See our complete category Kitchens / Steel Kitchens for all our stories on steel kitchen cabinets.
Andy says
All my many recessed, plastic backplates are in excellent shape but a few yellowed somewhat. I was hoping to buy replacements :-)).
So if I ever decide to replace them, I will make them out of hard wood. Or when the 3D copying machines get less expensive, copy an existing one.
Robert Schultz says
I just heard a family member bought a 3D printer and is making stuff! I am going to see if he can make the Geneva door pulls that are cut into the actual door!! It is certainly worth a try. I might have to paint them but at least they might be functional. I’ll keep you posted!
Susan Penfield says
In our 1962 laundry room, we have the rounded boomerang or chevron cabinet pulls pictured at the top of this article. They need cleaning and polishing, and I have lots of experience with that (restored a dozen or so original brass door hinges – so much sturdier than modern door hinges! Plus, saved money.). However, these handles seem to have a gold finish – probably brass with a gold finish and lacquer over that? not much of the gold is left; mostly on the pulls used the least.
Does anyone know how these handles were finished? and/or how to re-do this finish? Otherwise, they’ll be brass, which is fine, but that old “gold” is pretty snazzy. thank you!! (and if only the pink sparkle formica was still available….) — Susan
Robert Schultz says
Greetings –
Anyone ever find a source for the Geneva pull plates that have the plastic inserts mentioned on and off? Super gluing some of the broken plastic pieces just is not cutting it anymore! I guess the plastic gets brittle with age and use. A few replacement ones would totally “finish” off my recently repainted Geneva kitchen cabinet project!
Bob:)
pam kueber says
nope, not available anywhere as far as I know… best advice I can think of: Salvage them from other cabinets…
Bob Schultz says
Thanks Pam! If only I knew someone who did plastic injection molding … we could make some repros! In the meantime I’ll keep searching … (and continue carefully opening some of those cabinets with cracked handles!)
Cisco Lane says
I had a logo that was painted over too. I dropped it in boiling water and scratched off the paint with my fingernail. No damage!
Rachel says
I have the Geneva cabinets with the plastic insert. I ruined the inserts (too embarrassing to say how) and could find replacements. I had purchase numerous handles or backplates with the hope of getting a good… look. Found one that works so I thought I would share.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?productId=3047221&storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10051
Adam says
I have 37 youngstown cabinets pulls ready to sell. Just upgraded my kitchen. ready to make a deal.
pam kueber says
Put ’em on the Forum, Adam: https://retrorenovation.com/forum. No buying/selling on the main blog. Good luck.
Bob Hamid says
I wonder if you happen to have the hinges for those cabenits. If you have them please either call 732-681-3079 or email me at: bhamid5557@aol.com
pam kueber says
Bob, I have an FAQ on this. Short answer: No hinges. You need to jerryrig something. Good luck
carmelina says
Bob, I don’t know if you still need hinges, but my husband and I have Geneva cabinets and when the right hinge broke on our most used trash cabinet, we swapped the hinges on the right door of the cabinet under the sink and replaced it. We then removed the other door under the sink, leaving it without any doors. I made a coordinating tension rod curtain to cover the are and it looks just great and gives a lot of character and charm to our kitchen. Carm
Rusti says
I found some great cabinet pulls at Liz’ Hardware in LA. They are the perfect size for my 1949 metal cabinet’s, and the holes that were standard at that time. They arrived perfect, still in a package from the WW2 era. They are chrome with a burgundy red button. Which is exactly what I was looking for. I needed 18, and they had 18. I really lucked out on this. They shipped, and arrived perfectly.
Ifound the source on this site! Thank you so much!
New floors were installed today, and the counters were installed a few days ago. It is looking so pretty, I could dance!
pam kueber says
That’s great to hear, Rusti!!!
Angel says
My mother is moving into a home with a Youngstown Complete Kitchen (in great condition). She wants a remodel and while I think she’s crazy, I cannot take her cupboards. Where would I start if we wanted to sell them? Thanks in advance
pam kueber says
Angel – see the FAQs and the Steel Kitchen Cabinets section under Find PRODUCTS/Kitchens/Steel Kitchen Cabinets
Rusti says
And, my cabinets look yummy now! I painted them to match the backsplash all around my kitchen. White on top/burgundy on bottom. Which goes great with my backsplash/white with tiny little burgundy squares running through the top part. I love them!