Brass Fasteners vs. Paper Clips
Comparing 2 standards across 13 specifications. 13 key differences identified.
Brass Fasteners (also known as Paper Brads or Split Pins) are malleable metal binding pins featuring a round domed head and two flexible flat prongs. Sized from 0.5 inches (13 mm) to 2.0 inches (51 mm), they are passed through punched holes and spread flat against the back of the document, serving as the industry standard for Hollywood film screenplay binding.
The Gem Paper Clip (introduced by The Gem Manufacturing Company in the 1890s) is a single looped piece of galvanized spring-steel wire that binds loose sheets using torsional elastic deflection. Available in standard No. 1 (33 mm / 1.3 in) and Jumbo (50 mm / 2.0 in) sizes, alongside specialized Butterfly/Trefoil wire clamps for thick 50-sheet reports.
Specification Comparison Table
13 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Shank Length 1/2 in (No. 1)
|
13 mm — capacity approx. 30 to 40 sheets | — |
|
Shank Length 3/4 in (No. 2)
|
19 mm — capacity approx. 50 to 75 sheets | — |
|
Shank Length 1.0 in (No. 3)
|
25 mm — capacity approx. 80 to 110 sheets | — |
|
Shank Length 1.5 in (No. 5)
|
38 mm — capacity approx. 120 to 175 sheets (Standard 1.25" Hollywood Script Brad) | — |
|
Shank Length 2.0 in (No. 7)
|
51 mm — capacity approx. 200+ sheets | — |
|
Head Diameter
|
8.0 mm (approx. 5/16 in domed brass cap) | — |
|
Hollywood Script Tradition
|
Bound with two No. 5 brass brads placed in top and bottom holes (middle hole left empty) | — |
|
Standard No. 1 Gem Clip
|
— | 33 mm (1.30 in) length — capacity 10 to 15 sheets (0.8 mm to 0.9 mm wire) |
|
No. 2 Gem Clip
|
— | 28 mm (1.10 in) length — capacity 5 to 10 sheets |
|
Jumbo Gem Clip
|
— | 50 mm (2.00 in) length — capacity 20 to 35 sheets (1.0 mm to 1.2 mm wire) |
|
Butterfly / Trefoil Clip
|
— | Large circular loops (up to 50 sheets without fiber indentation) |
|
Surface Finishes
|
— | Smooth zinc galvanized, vinyl color-coated, serrated 'non-skid' grooves |
|
Elastic Limit Physics
|
— | Operates strictly in the steel's elastic zone without permanent plastic deformation |