Handles Made of Wood, Horn and Acrylic: What Feels Right in Your Hand
The handle determines whether you enjoy carrying an umbrella or whether it stays in your bag. A good handle sits securely in your hand, distributes pressure evenly and matches the size of your palm. Wood, horn and acrylic offer different properties: weight, feel and shaping differ considerably. If you use a walking umbrella daily, you should hold the handle before purchasing or at least know the handle shape and material.
Wood Handles: Warm, Light and Versatile
Wood is the classic material for umbrella handles. It feels pleasantly warm, absorbs moisture and provides a non-slip grip. Maple wood weighs approximately 600 to 650 grams per cubic decimetre and remains light even during longer walks. Beech wood is somewhat heavier, but harder and more resistant to scratches. The grain makes each handle unique. Wood handles are often bent, turned or carved: as a crook handle, knob or anatomically shaped round grip. After rain, you should wipe wood dry to prevent it from swelling.
Horn Handles: Dense, Smooth and Refined
Horn usually comes from buffalo or cattle and is cut into thin slices, heated and pressed over a mould. The material is denser than wood, feels smooth and cool and develops a natural patina over time. A horn handle weighs approximately 20 to 30 per cent more than wood at the same size. The colouring ranges from light beige through brown tones to dark black with fine stripes. Horn can be polished to a high gloss, but remains sensitive to strong temperature fluctuations. Many Men's umbrellas feature horn handles in classic crook form, which can be hooked over the forearm.
Acrylic Handles: Colourful, Dimensionally Stable and Easy to Care For
Acrylic is a transparent plastic that can be cast into almost any shape and coloured in all shades. The material is lighter than horn, heavier than wood and remains dimensionally stable even when wet. Acrylic handles are available as clear spheres, marbled knobs or in geometric shapes. The surface is smooth, can be wiped with a damp cloth and barely changes over the years. Some manufacturers combine acrylic with metal inlays or coloured pigments. The weight is approximately 400 to 500 grams per cubic decimetre. Acrylic is particularly suitable for modern, colourful umbrellas where the handle remains visible as a design element.
Handle Shapes: Crook, Knob or Round Grip
The shape of the handle determines how you hold and carry the umbrella. A crook handle can be hung over the forearm, leaving both hands free. The knob sits in the closed fist and is suitable for short distances. A round grip distributes pressure across the entire palm and is more comfortable for longer distances. Some handles are anatomically shaped, with recesses for thumb and index finger. The length of a crook handle is usually between 10 and 14 centimetres, a knob measures 3 to 5 centimetres in diameter. Try different shapes before making your choice.
Care and Durability of Handle Materials
You should wipe wood dry after each rain and treat it once a year with colourless wax or wood oil. Horn does not tolerate strong heat: do not place the umbrella on the radiator or in the car in sunshine. Acrylic is robust, but can splinter on impact. All three materials last for many years with proper care. Umbrellas from Guy De Jean demonstrate how high-quality handles made of wood, horn or acrylic, with thoughtful craftsmanship and clear design, become long-lasting companions. Ensure that the handle is firmly connected to the frame: a screw connection or a continuous metal sleeve provides stability.
Related categories: Jewellery, Bags and accessories, Pocket umbrellas. The full range: Umbrellas.
Read more: Guy de Jean: How to Recognise the Signature of the Manufactory, The Gentleman's Umbrella with a Suit: Length, Colour, Handle, Designer Umbrellas: Three Signatures, Three Entrances, How Wind-Resistant Is an Umbrella Really: Ribs, Frame and Storm, Drying and Storing a Wet Umbrella Properly: Care for Longevity