The parts of a handfan

Las partes del abanico

Fans have historically been more than just cooling tools: they are pieces of art, cultural symbols and fashion accessories.

Over the centuries, different cultures have created a variety of fan styles, aligned with their beliefs and needs. Thanks to this, we have been able to discover dozens of unique characteristics, as well as multiple and fascinating uses.

Although there is an enormous wealth of fan styles, it is also true that this product has retained its simple composition divided into two parts: the deck and the fan. The deck is the base made of rods and the fan is the paper or fabric that is glued to the rods. Let's go into detail.

The function of the rod is to give the fan a base for movement and at the same time support the fan. There are main rods or guards that are the outer ones of the fan. They are thicker and more robust than the others and protect the fan when it is closed. On them we put the engraving of our brand and also the AEA seal, which certifies that our fans are made in Spain.

Read more: Spanish artisan fan: the AEA seal

Then there are the inner ribs that are inside the fan, usually made of wood, plastic, metal or ivory. They serve as a structure to support the fan.

At ràfega , we make sure that the stem is the protagonist of our fans. As we have already mentioned, we mainly use two types of wood: mongoy, known for its flexibility, durability and beauty, and rosewood, which tends to be dense and hard, making it very resistant and therefore more expensive.

Read more: Types of wood for fans

On these woods, in some designs we have also been able to capture engravings that demonstrate the high quality of our wood and the excellent craftsmanship of ráfega .

On the other hand, there is the pais, whose function is to be the protective membrane that covers the rods. It is made of a fabric that can be leather, lace, silk, paper or cloth, and is usually where many cultures have displayed their creativity through paintings and prints.

For ràfega , the country is also important and that is why we choose colours that can be used for different occasions and also fit the personality and tastes of each client, without losing their elegance.

Read more: Abanico ràfega: the perfect gift for the whole year

At the bottom is the pin, which acts as the central point where all the ribs are joined at the base of the fan. It is usually reinforced with a small nail or rivet (the pin) that allows the ribs to rotate to open and close the fan.

In the part of the pin, at ràfega we have decided to add a ring that works not only so that people can add accessories and decorate their fan, but also so that, with the help of a ring, they can hang them on their bags or pants.

We know that fans are a product that needs care and can sometimes get damaged if we put them in a bag. We also understand that they can be large and that if we want to always carry them with us we have to use them as an accessory, like we do with key chains or scarves.

If you want to know more about our products and the new trends in fans, visit our Instagram: @rafega.abanicos

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