> America has mostly knobs. I noticed this when I lived in Germany and England. It's not just Scandinavia that has predominantly handles.
>
> While handles are physically easier to operate, I think they look darned ugly compared to the aesthetic beauty of a nice shiny golden doorknob on wooden paneling. In this one case, I break tradition with both typical guyhood AND typical engineerhood and prefer knobs.
>

(-: I thought we already knew that you were an atypical guy and an atypical sw engineer. That makes "profound ingenuity" a perfectly normal attribute for Sam. :-)

Personally, I think I agree that doorknobs produce greater hindrance in usage than handles do. Functionally, to have to turn (twist) one of those stiff, spring-loaded knobs whilst simultaneously pulling forward the door -- which might be heavy -- is an unnecessary burden, for anyone who is carrying something heavy or who has arthritic hands. I tend to think of doorknobs as an effective way to keep the door firmly latched, though. And the modern kind of angular door-pulls in a "box handle" shape (think of Ikea drawer handles) *are* ugly indeed.

Perhaps a more elegant solution is to use those antique vertical handles which are "thumb latch" door pulls. My parents' house had one on an outside door. Let's see if I can describe it: the handle itself curves ergonomically outwards and perpendicular from the door in a half heart shape, and the gentle curve grips pleasantly in the fingers. There is a latch button at the very top of the handle, which you press with your thumb to release the door from the doorframe. The whole of the vertical handle is mounted on an elliptical backing plate called a escutcheon, which is often stamped and trimmed in an elegant design shape . This escutcheon backing plate protects the wood door from scratches and wear, as well as adding an extra touch to the handle's appearance. I have no idea what this kind of door pull-handle is called. I've only seen them made in polished brass.

Wolf "getting a door slammed in your face should be handled with style" spirit