This is not so much a question as an answer!
After moving home, I found that the lovely shiny door knobs were extremely hard to open - to the point that I even kept a rubber glove hanging next to one of them! I tried replacing the mortice barrel latches, but the new ones were just as stiff.
I recently discovered the answer, thanks to a very helpful online ironmonger. There are two sorts of these latches, although not always described as such - they can be either single-spring, which have a light action, or double-sprung which are the type which were fitted (and which are in fact intended for use with lever handles rather than knobs).
After changing over, the difference was amazing. I hope this may help anyone else who has a similar problem!
Alec.
After moving home, I found that the lovely shiny door knobs were extremely hard to open - to the point that I even kept a rubber glove hanging next to one of them! I tried replacing the mortice barrel latches, but the new ones were just as stiff.
I recently discovered the answer, thanks to a very helpful online ironmonger. There are two sorts of these latches, although not always described as such - they can be either single-spring, which have a light action, or double-sprung which are the type which were fitted (and which are in fact intended for use with lever handles rather than knobs).
After changing over, the difference was amazing. I hope this may help anyone else who has a similar problem!
Alec.
