Masunaga Eyewear: Lightweight & Strong... Like Me!

Pound-for-Pound

Weight class does not always determine strength and looks can be deceiving. Sometimes eyewear shoppers will pick up a Masunaga frame and be surprised by their weight, often saying, “This frame feels so light, but is it strong?” The answer is yes. Masunaga frames are made using titanium. Titanium is a lustrous, silvery-gray transition metal with a high strength-to-weight ratio, low density, and excellent corrosion resistance.

Masunaga Chord C Gold

Sometimes I feel like a Masunaga frame. When people pick me up and try me on, they often say things like “You’re so light and willowy, I could snap you like a twig.” First of all, rude. Second, I have had many accidents and never broken a bone and I can lift significantly more than my bodyweight. So, to all those people who have called me a graceful gazelle, you aren't wrong, but like a titanium Masunaga frame, I am also robust.

Attention to Detail

Sometimes eyewear shoppers equate a bold plastic frame with strength and resilience. This can be true, but only if good quality acetate is sourced and attention is paid to all the tiny little details that are often overlooked. The hardware on a frame is incredibly important. The quality of the hinges and the metal core of a temple are crucial for extending the lifespan of a frame and offering the option for custom adjustments. Masunaga is one of the only Japanese companies with a fully integrated production system—from raw materials to finished product—ensuring exceptional detail and quality.

Masunaga 100 Tortoise

Just like the human body needs strength in both its major muscle groups and smaller stabilizing muscles, a Masunaga acetate frame must not only have a strong mold but be built with strength at every level—from high-quality hinges to a durable metal core. True performance lies in the details. If you only focus on your glamour muscles, you will shine bright momentarily and then burn out. Let's take a page from Masunaga's handbook and build strength and longevity.