When you're building or restoring a space with soul, it's the little details that carry the most weight. One of those unsung details? Clavos—decorative nail heads that do more than hold things together. They set the tone, ground the look, and bring history to life, one forged head at a time.

But with so many rustic hardware finishes available, how do you choose the right clavo for your project?

In this buyer’s guide, we’ll walk you through the differences between copper, brass, bronze, and iron clavos from durability and aging to style and tone, so you can make the right decorative nail selection with confidence.

1. Iron Clavos: Traditional and Timeless

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If you're going for a rugged, old-world look that feels pulled straight from a frontier cabin or medieval gatehouse, iron clavos are your go-to. Hand-forged with visible hammer marks and raw texture, they bring unmatched character to wood doors, beams, and furniture.

Best for:

• Western, Gothic, or Colonial-style doors

• Barn doors and timber frames

• Restoration projects with historical accuracy

Durability:
Extremely strong and built to last generations, especially with a protective finish. Our powder-coated or waxed options resist rust in outdoor use.

Aesthetic:
Deep blacks, grays, or aged iron tones with an authentic, hand-worked texture.

2. Brass Clavos: Clean, Classic, and Warm

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If you’re comparing copper clavos vs brass, think of brass as the more polished cousin. It offers a rich, golden tone and brings a refined, classical elegance to any surface. Our solid brass clavos are never plated—so they hold their color and wear beautifully over time.

Best for:

• Mediterranean, Spanish Revival, or French Colonial doors

• Decorative furniture or cabinetry

• Accents in mixed metal design schemes

Durability:
Highly corrosion-resistant and ideal for interior or covered exterior use. Maintains its look for decades.

Aesthetic:
Shiny to satin gold tones that can be polished or allowed to dull naturally into a vintage patina.

3. Bronze Clavos: Earthy, Strong, and Subtle

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Bronze clavos bring a depth and maturity that only time and solid metal can offer. These decorative nails age with use, creating a rich story of wear and weather. Perfect for those who want their hardware to look like it’s always been there.

Best for:

• Timber frame joinery

• Mission, Craftsman, or Baroque architecture

• Statement gates and entryways

Durability:
Exceptionally durable and naturally resistant to corrosion and wear. Great for long-term outdoor use.

Aesthetic:
Brown, gold, or reddish undertones that age into deep, rustic finishes. No two pieces patina the same.

4. Copper Clavos: Lively, Warm, and Always Evolving

See Copper Clavos Collection »

Copper has a soul of its own. Fresh out of the forge, it shines bright like a new penny—but give it time and it transforms into something entirely different. Whether you want that fiery orange glow or the soft blue-green of a weathered patina, copper clavos bring the most dramatic aging process of all.

Best for:

• Southwestern, Adobe, or Mediterranean homes

• Garden gates and exposed exterior use

• Projects that embrace natural aging and change

Durability:
Softest of the metals listed, but still holds up well outdoors. Ideal for aesthetic use with lighter functional demands.

Aesthetic:
Shifts over time from bright copper to dark brown to natural turquoise patina, depending on exposure and care.

How to Choose the Right Clavo for Your Project

When choosing between iron, brass, bronze, or copper clavos, ask yourself:

• What’s the architectural style of the space?
  Iron suits traditional and rugged builds. Brass and bronze lean elegant. Copper feels earthy and expressive.

• Will this be used indoors or outdoors?
  All are viable with the right finish, but bronze and powder-coated iron are especially weather-hardy.

• Do you want your clavos to patina or stay polished?
  Choose copper or bronze for evolving finishes, or brass and powder-coated iron for a more fixed look.

• Do you need them to function or just decorate?
  All our clavos are made from solid metal—but for heavy-duty applications, stick with iron or bronze.

Make the Detail Count

At Old West Iron, we believe that real craftsmanship is in the details. That’s why our clavos are forged, not stamped, and why we offer solid metals instead of plated imitations. Whether you're building new or reviving the past, the right clavo makes a difference you can see and feel.

Browse All Decorative Clavos »

Maddison Mellem
Writing from the forge at Old West Iron