Put Brusso hinges on a jewelry box. Now I can’t use anything else. Ruined myself.
What Makes Them Different
Precision machining. The tolerances are insane. No slop, no play. Open and close with one finger.
Barrel and leaves are milled as one piece. Most hinges are assembled from parts. That’s where the wobble comes from.
The Price
Yeah, they’re expensive. Like really expensive. A pair of small box hinges runs $30-40. Bigger ones more.
Worth it for fine work. Jewelry boxes, humidors, presentation cases. Anything you’re putting time into.
Overkill for shop cabinets. Save those for pieces that matter.
Installation
They’re less forgiving than cheap hinges. Layout has to be perfect. You can’t fudge it with oversized screw holes.
I use a marking knife, not pencil. Transfer the hinge outline exactly. Chisel to the knife line.
Pilot holes are mandatory. These come with brass screws. Brass is soft. Drive without pilots and you’ll snap a head off.
Options
Stop hinges for boxes that need to stay open at 95 degrees. Quadrant hinges for humidors. Knife hinges for hidden installations.
Finishes range from bright brass to antique bronze to nickel. Match your hardware.
My Take
Buy one pair. Use them on something nice. You’ll understand immediately why people pay for these.
