Cutting Edge Brings Back the Stiffel Brand

stiffel

Cutting Edge Brings Back the Stiffel Brand

On February 5, Steven Filler, president of Cutting Edge Industries in New Jersey, and executives at Spectrum Brands (formerly known as Salton, Inc.) inked an agreement to sell the Stiffel®  brand to Cutting Edge for an undisclosed sum.

Filler has long been an admirer of Stiffel and had closely followed the sale of the company to Salton and even attended the auction years ago in the hopes of obtaining some original molds (which were ultimately acquired by Salton).

“Stiffel lamps were zinc casting and that’s exactly what we do. Our intent is to revive the brand,” Filler explains. A search for the original molds, which were sent to a Chinese factory when Salton moved production of the Stiffel line overseas, has turned up empty, but Filler is optimistic. He also has at his domestic factory’s disposal some 10,000 to 12,000 molds of classic lamp designs plus operates his own domestic shade shop through the Lite Tops division.

“The timing was right,” says Filler about the purchase, which involved roughly three to four months of negotiation. “American-made products are coming back.” Domestic manufacturer Cutting Edge Industries is uniquely qualified to handle high-quality production of the venerable brand.

The new Stiffel line will be targeted toward lighting showrooms and high-end shops as opposed to the mass merchants that had ended up distributing the brand through its last days at retail. “The lamps will have solid brass sockets and feature high-quality plating,” Filler explains. The initial product launch will be inspired by Stiffel designs of the past. “Wherever we can re-introduce original designs, we will,” Filler notes, adding, “We’re also going to roll with the times and offer some more contemporary styles.”

The price range for the lamps is expected to be in the $100-$125 wholesale range. The new Stiffel line will not be available in time for the spring High Point Market, however, production plans are well underway. The line will be manufactured entirely at the Cutting Edge factory in Linden, New Jersey.

Cutting Edge Industries manufactures classic lamp designs in the USA
Cutting Edge Industries manufactures classic lamp designs in the USA

 

42 thoughts on “Cutting Edge Brings Back the Stiffel Brand

  1. I have bought several 1950’s Stiffel lamps and I love them. By any chance did you obtain any old catalogs of old pictures of the old Stiffel lamps? I would love to buy shades for them but do not know how to order them. I would love ot see or buy an old catalog of stiffel. HELP!

    1. Hi Debra! I apologize for the delay in responding. The company that will be making Stiffel lamps again might be able to help you with your catalog request. I will forward your request to them.

  2. My wife and I own a few Stiffels, table and hanging, and have recently acquired one with the oval black paper number 885 in white. Does anyone know when it came in production? My dad in the forties told me he had read an article that suiggested Frank Lloyd Wright knew Ted Stiffel and shared ideas on designs of interior decoration and that Stiffel iontroduced some lamps that were dedicated to the famous architect. The look of this 885 certainly could have been one of those. Any idea anyone?

    1. Hi Marc! I haven’t heard of a connection between Frank Lloyd Wright and Stiffel, but the idea is intriguing. I will send your inquiry to the American factory now producing Stiffel brand lamps.

  3. I am trying to replace the light socket ( ceramic) from a Stiffel # 08391.
    It is a reflector floor lamp we purchased brand new in 1993. We had problems with it and returned it to the lighting store in San Jose, Ca to be fixed at least 2 times. Then we just gave up and only used the 3 candeliabra lights.
    Would like to try again to get it to work. I took the socket out and it measures 2″W and 2 3/4 L. There are 3 long screws and 2 shorter ones that attach the socket to the receptacle. Can you help me locate a place that can repair it or help me find the right socket to replace?
    thanks

    1. Hi Nancy! Thank you for writing in.
      You can contact the experts at Cutting Edge Interiors, the manufacturer that has taken over the Stiffel brand. Here is the address:
      Address: 1233 St Georges Ave, Linden, NJ 07036
      Phone:(908) 925-7500

    2. Hi Nancy, let me put you in touch with someone at the factory that is now handling the Stiffel brand. Jessica Ramirez is the showroom manager and she looks forward to helping anyone with Stiffel inquiries. Here is her email: jramirez@cuttingedgecatalog.com

  4. I have a Stiffel floor lamp and weight that is inside the bottom of the lamp that keeps the lamp stable came apart and the plastic shell broke in half and fell out of the bottom of the lamp and i noticed that there was a part number on the bottom (#770-4113). Do you know if it would be possibe to find out if it is still available?

    1. Hi Joe!
      I believe that not many of the original molds survived the company’s various transitions. However, here is the contact information for the factory that owns the Stiffel name currently:
      Cutting Edge
      Address: 1233 St Georges Ave, Linden, NJ 07036
      Phone:(908) 925-7500

      Jessica Ramirez is the showroom manager and she looks forward to helping anyone with Stiffel inquiries. Here is her email: jramirez@cuttingedgecatalog.com

  5. In the 1960s, I bought 3 lovely new Stiffel hanging lamps, I cannot find clip shades that fit them. They will not take the spider type. The shades are 13′ across the top. The lamps are abt 25″long with pulls at the bottom to turn ithem off and on.. They swag or hang with bronze chains and are lovely. I have a place for one of them now. Help.

    1. I can put you in touch with the factory that is now manufacturing lamps under the Stiffel brand. They have a lighting expert who can most likely help you out. Here is the info:
      Cutting Edge
      Address: 1233 St Georges Ave, Linden, NJ 07036
      Phone:(908) 925-7500

  6. I have been looking for vintage Stiffle catalogs without success.
    Do you know who might have them or reproductions of them
    Do you know if there are any plans to reproduce them
    Regards

    1. Hi Weldon!
      I don’t believe that many editions of the old Stiffel catalogs survived the various company transitions. The factory that currently owns the Stiffel brand has had difficulty obtaining the original molds, but have been making styles that closely resemble some of the originals.
      Jessica Ramirez is the showroom manager and she looks forward to helping anyone with Stiffel inquiries. Here is her email: jramirez@cuttingedgecatalog.com

      Cutting Edge
      Address: 1233 St Georges Ave, Linden, NJ 07036
      Phone:(908) 925-7500

  7. I am looking to replace the shades on my two 1970’s (brass & ivory) Stiffel Lamps.
    Where can I purchase replacement shades; 14 3/4″ X 16 1/4″ X 18 1/2″, Silk shantung, with gold band on top and gold cord on bottom of shade. I love the lamps but the shades have spots on them. I tried to spot clean and made them worse. HELP.

    1. Hi Marilyn!
      The company that is now manufacturing lighting under the Stiffel brand also makes shades on-site at their NJ factory. It is quite possible that they have a shade that will fit the Stiffel lamp you have, even though it might not be from the original pattern.
      Jessica Ramirez is the showroom manager and she looks forward to helping anyone with Stiffel inquiries. Here is her email: jramirez@cuttingedgecatalog.com
      Cutting Edge
      Address: 1233 St Georges Ave, Linden, NJ 07036
      Phone:(908) 925-7500

    2. Hi Marilyn!
      The company that has purchased Stiffel can help you. Jessica Ramirez is the showroom manager of their retail division and she looks forward to helping anyone with Stiffel inquiries. Here is her email: jramirez@cuttingedgecatalog.com
      Cutting Edge

  8. I purchased a pair of Northbrook by Stiffel lamps – 494 Model No. 1333. I was just wondering…how do I find out what they’re worth? They are in beautiful condition & I love them. I know they’re worth more than I paid for them…$20 for the pair. I believe they’re brass…but, not sure. If you can’t tell me what they are worth…can you tell me who I can contact…someone who may know?

    Thank you in advance…even if you are not able to help!!!

    Connie

  9. I purchased two Stiffel table lamps some time in the mid-1990’s and have been trying to locate the same model for another room. If I send a photo and the information from the bottom of the lamp which includes the model number is it possable they can be located somewhere? Or can the Cutting Edge Interior company duplicate it and make their own mold? I sure wish we had bought four of these instead of only two.

  10. I own two crystal globe brass table lamps. There is the number 1210 stamped on the bottom. They were purchased in 1966, the year we got married. They are working fine but the “brass” has become discolored. Reading your website I found out they are cast in zinc. How would I bring these beautiful lamps back to the brass they were once.

  11. i bought a pair of Stiffel lamps…i can tell they ate really old but i have not been able to find the value of them …can u please help..Thanks

  12. Glad to hear Stiffel has been revived. My mother has Stiffel lamps and got me started. I purchased a floor lamp in 1983 as a newly married and over the years I have been able to pick up a few Stiffel table lamps at estate sales. LOVE the quality – can’t beat it. I believe the mid-century Stiffels are going to be quite the collector items in the next couple of decades.

  13. Please let me know if you have replacement glass for square Stiffel torchiere floor lamps. I found a wonderful floor lamp that has a thick square glass bulb cover that is upward facing so light is cast on the ceiling. I have searched the web for square torchiere replacement glass, but see nothing. This lamp has elaborate detailing and has a square base and square housing into which the glass upward facing shade fits. Please let me know what you would need to know and if I might be able to find a replacement shade. I would be most grateful for any information you can give.

  14. I have matching table lamps and stiffel floor lamps. First a couple years ago the bottom fell out of the floor lamp. Today I was moving some furniture around I picked up the lamp to put it on a different table. The entire bottom fell out. Dry rotted plastic in pieces and concrete. I am so disappointed. I do not mistreat my belongings. I don’t know what to do.

    1. Hi Rose, I’m sorry to hear of the problem you had with your Stiffel lamp. You can contact the factory in NJ that handles the Stiffel brand. Jessica Ramirez is the showroom manager and she looks forward to helping anyone with Stiffel inquiries. Here is her email: jramirez@cuttingedgecatalog.com

  15. We have been looking ALL over for a pole switch for our beloved Stiffel floor lamps. The kids want them…everything works great ..even one of the pole switches, but the pole switch went out on the second of our lamps.

    PLEASE let us know how we can obtain one or EVEN MAKE one…someone must have the directions of how to make the part because Stiffel had them for so many years!

  16. I worked for the Stiffel lamp company from 1986 untill 1992. I developed the Glenview lighting company with-in the Stiffel building. I was given the project to start the company to compete with foreign manufacturers. In 1991 Glenview Lighting by Stiffel was up and running and the first products were shipped

  17. Really interesting reading. I’ve been accused of having a pair of brass plated Stiffels and as such shouldn’t be describing them as “solid brass” bases! I have to go tomorrow and check them out with a pick or Dremel tool on the base! Someone also said they could be ‘cast spelter’. I’ll find out.

    I wish there was a listing or way to find out when my two lamps were made. I’m including some fotos if this is possible …, I guess not, can’t insert a foto! We’ll, thanks for the spot to say thanks & “Hi!”…Steven

    1. Hi Steven, a lot of people heard that the original Stiffel lamps were made ofcast brass, but that was not the case. They were always white metal casting with a brass finish. I do not know for certain if it was truly a “brass-plated” finish or not, but you can contact the company that owns the Stiffel lamp license and manufactures the lamps today: Cutting Edge Industries in Linden, NJ 908) 925-7500

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