[Beating Kabe Bijin!?] A “Cheap, Safe & Reliable” Item for Hanging Framed Art on Plasterboard — The “Super Tiny Scratch Hook” Is Great, With a Caveat!

Plasterboard (drywall)

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://art-on.jp/kabe-bijin/

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.

Kabe Bijin also drives “eight” staples—the same number—but you can see the driving positions differ.

Once you’ve driven all eight, you’re done. Installation is easy!

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.

1. Kabe Bijin: ¥883 for a set of 2 (Amazon) *unit price per piece @“¥442”
2. Wells Japan “Super Tiny Scratch Hook”: ¥523 for a set of 3 (Amazon) *unit price per piece @“¥174”!
3. 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?

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.

Kabe Bijin? Or the “Super Tiny Scratch Hook”?

Let’s choose based on your usage and preferences!