Wire combs are metal or plastic bindings used in bookbinding. They come in different sizes and configurations, with metal wires being preferred for their durability. The two common styles are the 3:1 and 2:1 pitch combs, with other proprietary systems also available. Metal combs come in spiral and closure types, and can be bound using industrial or personal machines.
A wire comb is the name for the actual metal part of a wire bound book. These bindings come in a variety of sizes and configurations. In most cases, a wire comb is made of metal, but sometimes it’s made of plastic. Metal wires are the preferred method of binding, as they hold their shape well and can withstand impacts that could warp or break other materials. Unlike many book binding methods, using a wire comb is usually very simple, and the machines range from large industrial binders down to personal ones small enough to fit on a bookshelf.
There are two common styles of wire comb. The 3:1 comb has three holes per inch or yardstick. This narrow comb style is common in small book or personal document binding. These combs are often double-stranded, meaning there are two strands going through each hole.
The similar, but more widely spaced 2:1 pitch comb is more common in mass-produced books. These combs can be double-stranded, but it’s just as common for them to be single. Outside of the number of loops per inch or yard, the primary difference between the two and three pitches is the overall size. Step three is used in smaller books and step two is used in larger ones. Both 3:1 and 2:1 systems work in round or rectangular holes.
There are many other styles of combs on the market that do not conform to these two ratios. In general, these combs are proprietary systems that work with specific machines. A common example of this is the 19-loop spiral. A 19 ring is designed so that there are 19 holes in the binding; smaller books have narrower holes, while larger books have them farther apart. This system has been a very common size and style for many years, but has declined somewhat in popularity in favor of the industry standard varieties.
Metal combs are generally of two types: the spiral and the closure. A spiral is the type used in most simple books, such as notebooks and personal planners. The clasps are not coiled like a spiral; they close around the book like a vice. Hairsprings are usually single stranded and have a round hole, while hair clips are usually double stranded and have a rectangular hole.
There are two main methods used to bind books using a comb. The industrial version typically uses a large binding machine that operates on an assembly line. These machines will use both coil and buckle bindings and are almost always industry standard. Personal binders are small and portable, allowing people to bind books at home. It is equally likely that these systems use a proprietary system as a standard and prefer clasp bindings over spiral bindings.
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