Many Prestige Pan Handles Have Been Made, As Outlined Below ....

  
 
The "Pan Handle" story started back in 2011, when I was asked "Can you make me a couple of these"? At the time I had no idea how many handles I would finish up making.

Please Note: These handles SHOULD NOT be considered water or dish washer proof. Prolonged exposure to water WILL result in damage occurring.

I use a variety of timbers to make replacement handles, often English Oak and Ash, but I regularly have Mahogany and Iroko in stock (African and American hardwoods). These materials are hard wearing and burn resistant, and are "Fit For Purpose".

Normally I use the timber I have available when an order is placed, and unless otherwise specified, all handles are supplied sealed and varnished without any additional colour.

Nothing is ever kept in stock, all my handles, lid knobs and fittings are made to order, normally, with a very quick turn-around. Other materials can been used, but often, they are subject to additional charges. Also, if additional work is required (or if fittings need to be replaced), the customer is ALWAYS advised up front.		  
 
 
 

Prestige Pan Handles And Lid Knobs

      
 

I have made replacement Prestige pan handles on many occasions. Like many others, the lifetime guarantee on the pan DOES NOT cover the handle, but, as always, I am happy to try and help refurbish your pans and lids.

An interesting request came in for Prestige replacements, it was 3 different fitting styles and lengths, plus knobs for lids.


A feature of SOME Prestige pans is the shaped finger grip on the bottom surface of the handle, plus, the minor inconvenience of the handle being more or less rectangular in profile (not good when you are a turner).		    
 
     
 
I know of at least 6 styles for the lid knob. Any style can be supplied upon request, or if you have a preference for something else, just let me know and we can discuss it. Send me a drawing or a picture and I can advise accordingly.		  
 
Prestige handles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the "Finger Grip" with a squareish profile, the "Flat Top" which is rounded at the sides and has a flat top and bottom with a round ferrule, and, a very dark handle with a round ferrule at the front and a hanging loop at the back. On ONE occasion I have seen a very slim, fully round handle with a slim round ferrule, but I have no other information on this one. 		 
 
  Regardless of the handle style chosen, all replacement handles made by me will be fully rounded without a finger grip or a flat section top and bottom. Handle shapes like the Prestige 'FG' model are very easy to produce by the million on a production line, but are difficult and expensive to do in a small workshop when you only need to make 1 or 2.  
 

When Prestige handles are required, I always need to identify the style. Hopefully, this guide to what I already know will help you get what you want.

First, the "Finger Grip" (FG) style. These handles are typified by the almost square profile, the finger grip recesses on the bottom, and an odd shaped, almost 5 sided ferrule at the front.

This handle style is attached to the pan with a hooked bolt measuring 132mm (measured from the pan, as shown here) and a barrel nut in the end of the handle.

 
 
 

The "Flat Top" (FT) style of handle is surprisingly, flat on the top and the bottom, and is rounded at the sides.

I have seen these as 145mm and 155mm handles, I can supply either.

The ferrule on the "FT" style is a little over 24mm diameter, and it is all attached to the pan with a long bolt measuring 132mm from under the head to the end of the thread.

 
 

Latterly, I have found a different version of the Prestige handle needing to be replaced.

Again, the ferrule and attachment bolt is the same as the "FT" style.

To the best of my knowledge, these pans were marketed as the Prestige 7800 series and were sold exclusively by Boots.


The handle can be supplied in standard form to use your original aluminium ferrule, or if necessary, and as shown here, it can be made up with a new style aluminium ferrule to enhance the look of your pan-set.

 
 



The "Hanging Loop" style of pan handle is fully rounded and has a hanging loop at the rear end.

The ferrule and attachment bolt on this style of handle is identical to the older "FT" style shown elsewhere on this page.

 
 
   


An interesting order came in while we were in the 2020 Coronavirus lock-down.


Colette Connell needed her Prestige "loop style" handles replacing. As it happens, she also told me that the hanging loop was never used, and could be dispensed with.


This was a rare opportunity to completely change the handle style (with new ferrules to be supplied also). Clearly, as shown in her response below, Colette was very happy with the result.


I would like to let you know that the pot handles and knobs arrived this morning and they are amazing. They look great and feel very comfy indeed, I'm delighted with them, thank you very much. I'd highly recommend your handles.
Colette Connell, Glasgow (May '20).


Jon Says:
Thanks Colette, it is always good to get positive feedback.		  
 
 

You never stop learning in this game.

The older style flat top handles use a cast aluminium ferrule as shown here on the left.

Later versions of the flat top handle use a rolled steel band as a ferrule with a folded seam on the bottom, as shown here on the right.

If you want a handle of this type it is important for me to know what type of ferrule you have.		    
 
 


Just to confirm that the pan handles arrived the day after you posted them. I am delighted with the handles, it's like having a new set of pans at a fraction of the cost!

Will definitely recommend your services.

Julie Dimond, Bath (Jan '18).

 
 
 
Thanks to the excellent craftsmanship of Jon Simpson, I have been able to replace all the handles on our 30 year old Prestige copper bottom stainless steel pans, thus extending their working life.

The 7 new handles and 4 knobs for the lids were completed and arrived within 7 days of Jon receiving one of the old handles.

I highly commend Jon's work and customer service.

Tim Coales, Croydon (Nov '17).		    
 
   

We cannot thank you enough for producing such look alike knobs for our pot lids, they almost make the pots look like new.

A brilliant service, for which I have looked for a very long time.

I will be ever grateful to you for these knobs and will keep your name for any future requirements we may have.

Alan Langston, Eynsham, Witney (Jan '18).

Jon Says:
Some Prestige lids have a 5mm stud welded to the top, others have a hole for a fixing screw. When enquiring, please make sure you tell me which type you need.		  
 
 



A request for 6 Prestige FG handles and 5 lid knobs came from Owen Matthews in London (Jan '18). After they were done and sent out to him, he sent the following message:

The handles fit perfectly and look great! Thanks so much.

My parents got the pans as a wedding present 45 years ago, and they became mine when I left for university in the 1990's.

Your work has given them a new lease of life. Maybe another 45 years! Thank you!



It gives me a lot of pleasure when I get comments like this, and I felt compelled to reply: "Ok thanks. Hope to hear from you in 2063".		    
 
   


The cast aluminium ferrule on a Prestige FT pan is prone to severe degredation and general pitting, especially when exposed to the ravages of a dishwasher. This does lead to weakness and often, it is not good enough to put onto a replacement handle.

I have tried to find a supply of the original ferrule to no avail, so I have been working on a prototype handle and ferrule for these pans which uses Brushed Chrome Steel tube for the ferrule.

The handle has been cut so that it wraps round the pan fitting to provide the essential lock against rotation and the ferrule has been sculpted with care to fit round the pan.		  
 




Several customers have said how pleased they are with these replacement handles and ferrules.



Please Note:

These new ferrules WILL NOT fit onto an existing handle, the handle and ferrule needs to be replaced as a matched pair.

Due to the extra work involved, they are slightly more expensive.

The modified handle attaches to the pan with your existing bolt.

 
 
   



In recent weeks (as of February 2021) I have been trialling the use of thick walled aluminium tube as a replacement ferrule.


Pictured here is an Iroko FT handle with a new style replacement aluminium ferrule.


In my opinion it does make a better product than the chrome tube, so I am going to gradually change over to using aluminium, as per the original pan fitting.		  
 
 
A few words from Steve Wilmin from the Wirral (Apr '18):

Faced with the prospect and cost of having to replace my lifetime Prestige saucepans or having to make do with crumbling & burnt handles, I decided to do some research and stumbled across Jon's fantastic website.

After a few initial questions, all of which were answered promptly, I ordered 3 handles & 3 knobs. I was delighted with the work that Jon did for me. The saucepans now look as good as new and I've saved a fortune.

Jon provided an exceptional level of service from start to finish. Be sure to check out the rest of his website. It's really interesting !!

See Here:
An Old Flat Top Handle Along Side My Rounded Version.		    
 
   

I get requests for Prestige Hanging Loop pans a lot less than others, and this enquiry resulted in a very good photo (and response) to show here.

The story started with an email containing words I have read many times: "I have a set of Prestige saucepans that desperately need some new handles. You've probably heard this story so many times. I need three of these and was wondering if you could provide a cost for making these? If there are any further details required please contact me."

The story ended with the following message:

Thanks very much Jon, the replacement handles worked a treat. You are very skilled, and the service you give is exceptional. Vic Brading, Higham, Kent (June '18).		  
 
 


I received the following enquiry from Ross McConnell via email on Bank Holiday Sunday afternoon, 25th August.

"Hi, could I please order three replacement prestige handles, 2 finger grip style and 1 Flat top, 145mm long. The ferrule is cast aluminium. Could I also order 2 knobs, both secured by a fixing screw. Please let me know price, including delivery to Kinross, Scotland".

Within half an hour I responded with a fixed price quote, and the reply was "That's great, I've sent payment across to you".



My next contact on this order was on Friday evening, 30th August, when Ross said "Handles arrived today, many thanks for the fast turn around, we're delighted with the quality of your craftsmanship. They fit perfectly and our saucepans look as good as new, here's to the next 35 years!"
Ross & Carol McConnell (August '19).

 
 
   
Linda Hyde refers to her "NEW" 50 year old pans:

I received the pan handles yesterday, a brilliant surprise as I did not expect them so soon and they are perfect. My pans are restored to their former glory and look brand new.

I am so so pleased that I found your excellent talent and expertise on the web, many many grateful and sincere thanks, and cheers, Linda Hyde, Rochdale (May '21).		  
 
 
     
 
 
If you have a valued Prestige Copper Bottom pan with a black plastic handle, read on. Often these handles give way inside, leaving them in a state whereby they cannot be used safely.

As shown here, I am able to replace your handle with a varnished Oak replacement using your original bolt and ferrule, thus restoring your much loved pan to full health.		  
 
 
Once again, I find an oportunity to enhance and improve:

A simple enquiry related to the need to replace one Prestige Flat Top handle, along with the added comment "Can you put a hole through the end so I can hang it on a Butcher's Hook".

I explained to the customer that it was not a good idea to put a hanging hole through the end where the securing bolt lives, and that a stainless steel hanging loop was a much better option.

Using an extended rod to connect it all together, you see the final result here. A very practical way to enhance a valuable Prestige copper bottom pan with extra functionallity and good looks (Nov '21).		    
 
 
    So, Carol Howarth made an enquiry regarding some standard PFG pan spares plus her elderly Prestige mystery pan. I did not recognise the handle style and requested that she sent the pan and all of it's bits so I could measure them correctly.

As expected, a completely different Prestige style had come to light, and there are several differences. The lid has an M4 thread for the missing lid knob (if anybody can tell me what shape it should be, do get in touch). The cast alloy ferrule has a rounded off, rectangular recess in the back to accept a similarly shaped spigot on the front end of the handle, and the M5 through bolt is only 100mm long, measured from the tip of the bolt to the underside of the head.		  
 
 
From here on, this style will be known to me as a "PMP4", being a Prestige Mystery Pan with an M4 lid.

With a new template made for the router to cut the handle spigot and a 100mm through bolt made, a new handle was turned from a 140mm Oak blank and fitted to the waiting pan.

The rear bolt hole was drilled 10mm to a depth of 60mm to allow for the shorter bolt. Also, a standard PKC lid knob was made with an M4 threaded insert instead of the normal M5 thread. Using PKC as a knob format allows this pan to match the remaining PFG spares being ordered at the same time.		    
 

Carol says:

The handles and mystery pan arrived back as expected and all were absolutely fine - thanks. I am delighted with the replacement pan handles and lid knobs that Jon made for me. They look splendid and feel completely secure. We had never stopped using the pans, despite the increasing risks of old wobbly (or missing) handles, but didn't want to give up on them, not least because of their sentimental value.

Jon couldn't have been more helpful, and had to adapt the design of the handles/knobs in the case of a couple of pans, but I get the feeling he is a man who likes a challenge! Thanks so much Jon - we now have pans we believe to be beautiful and know to be useful (and safe!), many thanks.

Carol Howarth (Nov '23)

  
 
 

When you run a small business, there will always be the odd time when something goes wrong, and it has always been my opinion that what really matters is how you react to the problem.

In Jan '24 Gill Redman ordered four handles. A couple of weeks after delivery she an emailed saying "as you can see I have a bit of a problem with one of my handles, it seems to have split down the grain of the wood". Clearly, the timber I used contained a bit of internal stress, and cracking was the result.

I suggested that the handles be replaced in about a month, at which time we would be able to judge the extent of the problem. What Gill didn't know was that during that month, I decided that the best thing would be to replace all the handles because they all came from the same plank, so actually, all were of suspect quality.

 
 


Gill says:

Excellent workmanship and customer service.

Inspite of the earlier problems, I am delighted with the new handles for my saucepans and the helpful advice which Jon gives, especially relating to using a wooden handled saucepan on a gas ring.

What a great company to deal with, and I can highly recommended Jon's services.

Gill Redman (Mar. '24)

  
 
 


Anthony Edwards says:

The handles arrived today and fitted perfectly, they look brilliant. Thank you for your prompt service and excellent workmanship.

The pans now look good and ready for a continued safe use.

Kind regards, Anthony Edwards (Nov. '24)

 
 
 
 

Prestige Repairs and Refurbishing

      
 
   


The most common problem I encounter with Prestige pans is handle and ferrule degredation.


Often (but not exclusively) the damage is caused by putting the pans in a dish washer.


The aluminium ferrule of an "FT" style of pan often gets eaten away by the caustic action of some detergent products. The ferrule can easily be replaced, but only in association with a new handle which has been made to match.


To the best of my knowledge, Prestige used two types of bolt. So whether it be the long straight type, or hooked, you need look no further for a supplier.


Also available is the small square 5mm nut that sits inside the pan fitting, and the sleeve nut used in association with the hook bolt.


The odd shaped five sided "FG" ferrule never needs replacing, it is made of stainless steel and never rusts or wears out.