Whether an apartment or a detached house, the walls of homes generally use “plasterboard (drywall).”
When you drive a thumbtack or nail into such a plasterboard wall, it makes a small but irreparable “hole.” It’s a small yet fairly noticeable hole.
The world is convenient—there is, strangely, a method that leaves no noticeable hole (or rather, almost no visible hole). As I summarized in the article below, the “method using stapler staples” is an item that leaves no visible marks even after removal. It’s an item called “Kabe Bijin.”
https://burart.jp/kabe-bijin/
Comparison of a Kabe Bijin attachment and the hole marks — photographed at an art-supply shop storefront
Wall-hanging hooks
Kabe Bijin is a very reliable fixing device for plasterboard. It’s a wonderful product, but what makes it hard to reach for is the price. At “¥883 for a set of two (Amazon),” ¥442 per piece is a rather high cost.
So, the product I’ll cover this time is this “Super Tiny Scratch Hook” from Wells Japan. “The Super Tiny Scratch Hook”.
Actually attaching it to the wall
“The Super Tiny Scratch Hook”—I actually attached it.
The stapling works by driving eight staples arranged in parallel.
It’s in a spot easier to drive than Kabe Bijin.
Kabe Bijin also drives “eight” staples—the same number—but you can see the driving positions differ.
Kabe Bijin’s driving positions are distributed on four sides, so it looks well balanced.
Once you’ve driven all eight, you’re done. Installation is easy!
I was concerned that the hook’s depth is a bit shallow. It might bother you a little when hanging with thick cord.
Close the top lid and you’re done. It’s smaller in size than Kabe Bijin.
The material is plastic, so it doesn’t feel very rigid. The load capacity is “5kg.” That’s 1kg less than Kabe Bijin’s “6kg,” but 5kg should be plenty. For larger framed works, use several together.
Comparing it with “Kabe Bijin”
Now, let’s compare the prices of the “Super Tiny Scratch Hook” and “Kabe Bijin.” See below.
Kabe Bijin: ¥883 for a set of 2 (Amazon) *unit price per piece @“¥442”
Wells Japan “Super Tiny Scratch Hook”: ¥523 for a set of 3 (Amazon) *unit price per piece @“¥174”!
Wells Japan “Super Tiny Scratch Hook”: ¥744 for a set of 6 (Amazon) *unit price per piece@“¥124”!!
What do you think? Buying the “Super Tiny Scratch Hook” in a set of 6 comes to “¥124” per piece.Overwhelmingly cheaper than Kabe Bijin!—you should be able to see that.
A disappointing point
However, I ended up finding one “drawback.” The photo below shows a work hung with the “Super Tiny Scratch Hook.” Do you notice anything?
The distance from the wall opens up to as much as “2.7cm” at the very top.
Yes—looking at the upper part of the frame makes it obvious: the structure hangs the work at a distance far from the wall. Measured at the very top, that distance was “2.7cm.”
Measuring the same work with Kabe Bijin gave a result of “1.8cm.” There’s a gap of about 1cm. Even using back rubbers, it seems hard to stand it vertical again.
Summary
When you have room in your budget, Kabe Bijin’s load capacity is attractive, but the low price of the “Super Tiny Scratch Hook” is overwhelmingly appealing. Since it’s a product that hides behind the frame, if it satisfies the function, it should be an item to choose on price.
However, for those who want the work to sit flush against the wall, Kabe Bijin wins.
