I would not use that knuckle. Too Mediterranean for me.

Satin finish

I would not use wood newel posts either.

Stairways are a piece of sculpture in your home. Elevate the appearance.

^^^

No..............

This is what she HAS, from her other posts.

What she wants, is planning...below CONCEPT

This is why we say, don't make multiple threads on the same issue..?

What is the current state of the "remodel" ..........around all the stair issue? Please?

Satin, the matte looks dull

The matte will scuff. I love the look of mixed wood and metal baluster/handrail vs spinals. I think it's more sculptural. To each their own!

It depends on your home. If it’s more traditional then the matte looks better. IMO the shiny is best with modern staircases.

Within the matte-black traditional options, keep in mind what looks best in your home. I had to redo a staircase and banister in a center hall colonial and stuck with the designs that would have been there when it was built.

These are on jmpwood.com.

Those knuckles look bulky and dated, especially 150 of them. A total PITA to clean as well. No knuckles or very tiny ones.

Consider the sheen of everything else surround your staircase in deciding on finish. I prefer matte but it could be harder to clean.

IMO the matte looks more like real wrought iron and I agree no knuckles

Am going to agree with other posters about the knuckles but my preference is the satin finish as opposed to the total matte finish.

If I felt I could go without any knuckles I would. Yes, I fear they will look bulky. That is why I bought samples. If we use them, it would be one in the middle of each group of 3, the othersplain.

These are another much simpler one we ordered. 5/8” round with a collar. Called satin black but looks pretty flat. Also has a round base shoe instead of the usual square one. Comparing the size to the knuckle, it is less bulky and would not be as traditional looking. However, we are switching to the squared newel posts.

Why do you feel like you can't have knuckles? Are you keeping the handrail and/or the newel post? I think Bev's stairway ideas are very elegant and simple. But it also depends on what's going on in the whole house.

Changing to square newel posts, new handrail as well. Treads being sanded and stained to match floors, risers and stringers painted white.

I use the larger knuckle all the time outside but I really like that round one you are showing with the smaller knuckles. Much more subtle and you have sooooooo many. (I’m still team painting your spindles white)

Some people love the colonial style spindle and newel posts. My husband and I do not. I tried some white square balusters, but with three per tread, it was too much. Mostly a sea of white and very little space between them.

I hear you and I’m really not trying to dissuade you (your house!!!) I consulted on this stair restoration with the same three per tread spindle configuration. These are 1 1/4” square spindles versus the more standard 1 1/2”

3 Iron Balusters with knuckles are going to look very busy on your stairs (especially back to back as the other side of the stairs is open) and out of place with square newels. But I digress, and much advice will be contrary to the previous post. As noted above would have been better to update and continue that thread rather than have people start all over with advice. Plenty of people have offered advice, you have pretty much left this as confirmation of your choices and I do not think anyone really has done that. But at the end of the day your house, your dollars, you do you.

I often think about contrast in these types of situations, I like the example from @HALLETT & Co. above bc the white spindles recede into the background with the trim and all the other lighter colors - if you are using a lot of white in your space then the black spindles will be high contrast and more dramatic, which may be the look you are going for but good to be sure

if it's just a choice between the two, I like the matte finish.

I agree with no knuckle. Being black, it will catch dust from every shoe going up and down those stairs. Dusting each of the 150? No way.

STAIRWAREHOUSE

Look Here