Franklin Brass (10-Pack) – Square Matte Black Cabinet Knobs for Dressers, Drawers, Kitchen Cabinet Door, Vanity, Furniture, Closet Knobs, 1-1/8 Inch | Parow

Why I reached for these knobs

I’m a big believer that small hardware changes can make a space feel new without touching paint or tile. For a recent refresh, I swapped dated round pulls for the Parow square knobs in matte black. On paper they’re straightforward—1-1/8-inch squares, zinc construction, matte black finish, sold in a pack of 10—but what mattered to me was how they’d look, feel, and hold up once installed across a whole kitchen and a couple of bathroom vanities.

Design and build quality

The Parow design is clean and unfussy: a true square with gently softened edges and a flat face. The matte black finish has a low-sheen, powdery look that reads modern without feeling stark. It’s a finish that blends well with other black fixtures but also contrasts nicely against painted cabinets (I tested them on white, navy, and natural oak). The scale—1-1/8 inches—lands in that sweet spot where the knob looks proportional on standard cabinet doors and small-to-medium drawers.

The knobs have a reassuring heft. Zinc hardware can sometimes feel hollow; these don’t. Each piece felt dense and well cast, with consistent finish across the faces and edges. I checked a handful side by side under bright light and didn’t see color drift or odd sheen variation. Threading was clean on all the units I used, and the screws seated smoothly without cross-threading.

One small but useful detail: there’s a tiny anti-rotation nib on the back of each knob. It’s designed to bite into the wood or paint film and keep the knob from twisting over time. It’s not aggressive, but it does the job if you install properly (more on that below).

Installation experience

Installation is generally straightforward. The Parow knobs use standard 8-32 machine screws. My set included screws that worked for standard cabinet doors and thin drawer fronts, but if you’re dealing with thicker drawer boxes, expect to pick up longer screws. I’d plan ahead and have a range—1", 1-1/4", and 1-1/2"—on hand. It’s a cheap fix that saves a trip mid-install.

A few practical tips from my install:

• Don’t twist the knob to tighten. Hold the knob square and turn the screw from the back with a screwdriver. If you rotate the knob, that anti-rotation nib can score a circle in your paint or finish before it sets.
• Control the nib. On freshly painted doors (or softer wood), I like to mark the center hole, then lightly start the screw from behind so the knob is loosely seated. With the knob held perfectly straight, I apply pressure to set the nib, then finish tightening from the back. This keeps the nib from wandering and ensures alignment.
• Keep orientation consistent. Square knobs look best when their edges parallel your door edges. A simple alignment jig or even a small torpedo level speeds this up across a big run.
• Avoid overtightening. Because these are zinc and you’re threading into a machine insert, you get a solid stop. Snug is enough; you don’t need to crush the cabinet face.

With these steps, I had a smooth, mar-free install. Once set, the knobs stayed straight and didn’t loosen with use over several weeks.

In daily use

Square knobs can be hit or miss on comfort. These work. The edges are lightly eased so they don’t dig into fingers, and the 1-1/8-inch face gives enough purchase even on heavier drawers. On a tall pantry door I’d still prefer a pull for leverage, but for doors and most drawers the Parow feels secure. The matte finish helps here too; it’s not slippery.

The finish has been resilient. I tried them in a kitchen and a kid-heavy bathroom, where moisture, soap, and oily fingers usually expose weak coatings. A quick wipe with a damp cloth brought them back to uniform matte, and I didn’t see premature shine spots or color rub-off. As always, avoid harsh cleaners—mild soap and water are plenty.

The anti-rotation nib has done its job; none of the knobs have drifted out of square. On painted cabinet doors, it leaves a tiny hidden indentation under the knob base, which is exactly where you want any bite to happen.

Where they fit best

• Modern, contemporary, and transitional spaces: The square profile and matte black finish play well with slab fronts and Shaker doors alike.
• Bathrooms and laundry rooms: The smaller scale suits narrower drawer fronts and door rails, and the matte finish coordinates with black faucets and accessories.
• Kitchens: Great on upper doors and smaller drawers. For wide drawers (24 inches and up), I prefer to mix in matching pulls to balance scale and ergonomics.

If you’re aiming for cohesion across multiple rooms, the 10-pack format makes it easy to carry the same look through a bathroom vanity, linen cabinet, and laundry room without piecing together singles.

What I’d watch out for

• Screw length. If your drawer fronts stack to more than about 3/4 inch (face + box), budget for longer 8-32 screws. It’s a common hardware quirk, not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth planning for.
• Installation technique. The nib is a blessing when used correctly and a nuisance if you try to spin the knob to tighten. Take the extra moment to tighten from the back and you’ll avoid scratches.
• Size expectations. At 1-1/8 inches, these are intentionally compact. They look crisp and proportional on standard doors and drawers, but if you want a bolder statement or need more pull area for heavy drawers, consider pairing with larger pulls.

Value and alternatives

In a category where prices can escalate quickly for designer names, the Parow hits a practical sweet spot: solid feel, consistent finish, and a multi-pack that keeps per-piece cost reasonable. You can certainly find cheaper knobs, but they often sacrifice finish quality or weight. You can also spend more for boutique hardware with artisanal finishes, but for most residential projects, these deliver the essentials—durability, clean design, reliable install—without inflating the budget.

If you love the square profile but need a different finish, the same design is commonly offered in other tones, though the matte black variant is the most versatile if you’re blending with diverse palettes and fixtures.

Maintenance

There’s not much to do here. Wipe with a damp cloth and a drop of mild dish soap as needed, then dry. Avoid abrasives and ammonia-based cleaners to preserve the matte surface. If you do get a tiny paint ring from misaligned installation, it’s usually hidden once the knob is properly set; otherwise, a light touch-up around the hole fixes it.

The bottom line

The Parow square knobs are a dependable, modern update that punch above their price in hand feel and finish consistency. They install cleanly if you use the right technique and plan for screw length on thicker drawers. After living with them across kitchen and bath cabinets, I like their understated look, the way the finish resists fingerprints, and the fact that they stay put—straight and snug.

Recommendation: I recommend these knobs for anyone refreshing cabinets or furniture who wants a clean, modern square in matte black without overcomplicating the project or the budget. They’re well-made, comfortable to use, and easy to keep looking good. Just have a small assortment of 8-32 screws on hand for thicker fronts and tighten from the back to let the anti-rotation nib do its job. If you need high-leverage pulls for heavy drawers, mix and match; otherwise, these are a smart, reliable choice for most doors and standard drawers.