Architectural Ironmonger.
Client.
The Brief.
Six by Nico is a chain of well-regarded restaurants, headed up by chef Nico Simeone. The restaurants offer a fine dining experience for the masses, with a tasting menu that changes every six weeks, thus offering diners new and interesting dishes for a reasonable price. This has proven popular, with the chain growing to 13 sites since it’s inception in 2017.
So…when architectural ironmongers Datim were asked to create bespoke handles featuring the Six by Nico logo, they immediately recognised this would need to be classic, elegant and epitomise the modernity that this restaurant offers on traditional fine dining.
The Datim team turned to Instinct to match their concept of the logo being immortalised on slimline elongated handles to welcome you to the newly opening Leeds restaurant. Initial concept designs and required sizing details were sent to Instinct…and the process began. This design is registered to Datim exclusively.
The Work.
Manufacturing
The level of detail needed for the script on the handles meant that there was only ever one clear choice to attain the perfect edging needed – Instinct’s new waterjet cutting machine. The machine uses 60,000PSI pressure, forced through a hair thin diamond orifice. This creates a waterjet stream with unrivalled cutting power. 8mm thick flat brass was trimmed into sections to form the elongated rectangular pad handle.
Then the bespoke work began. The Six by Nico logo was recreated and programmed into DXF files. This meant it could be used in the Flow Waterjet Machine to effortlessly create precision cut wording at the top of the handle. Using the waterjet means that the edges of the logo are cut with no requirement for heat. The integrity of the brass is not compromised, and there is no need for additional working of the material to create a buffed edge.
Then it was time to create corresponding pillars. With thousands of customers passing through the restaurant each year the handles had to be of the highest quality standard. The integrity of the pillars was paramount. This required hanging the plates on the CNC Vertical Machining Centres to thread mill the M8 holes rather than usual drilling and tapping. This is a specialist process, requiring solid carbide tooling. The Vargus tool used by Instinct allowed the manufacturing team to mill at the perfect depth, ensuring the cleanest finish and maximum possible tolerance for this handle.
Polishing
The edges of the rectangular pad handle were prepped and softened by our experienced polishers. They also ensured that the handle was prepped ready for the final surface application. The handles were securely packaged and sent to MA Polishing. They used a brushed antique brass waxed finish to firmly bring the handle to life – giving it a modern, quality feel. This hand applied treatment is brought to life with care over several applications, polished back to allow trains of the brass to sit alongside the oxidated darker surface, creating a two-tone effect. The handle is then sealed with wax.
It was over to our despatch team once again. They ensured maximum protection for these beautiful handles using the sustainable packaging that is now standard at Instinct.
The End Result.
We think these handles look incredible. We’re proud to have worked with Datim to really bring them to life. To find out more about our bespoke capabilities, view our webpage. If you are an Architectural Ironmonger, why not ask us for a quote? Or if you are looking for the perfect ironmongery for your own project, contact us to find your local Architectural Ironmonger, who can work with us to find the best solution.
