This modern take on the doorknob is by L.A.-based industrial designer Will Zhang. Called the Spoke knob, it's made of solid brass.

If you prefer alternatives to the brass look, it comes in a number of finshes.

One thing to note: "The Spoke knob requires handing to ensure that the spoke itself is directed towards the bottom right when at rest, as intended in the design."

"Handing" means you've got to pay attention to whether the door you're spec'ing this for is right- or left-handed, in order to get the knobs oriented the way the designer wanted it. I guess the idea is that if you've got a room where multiple Spoke knobs are visible at once on differently-handed doors, you want visual consistency. The installer had better be on their toes.

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The Spoke is in production by door hardware manufacturer Emtek, where Zhang is the Design Director.