the stepped configuration as shown in fig3 this stepped configuration of the clamping portion of reed 28 enables reed 28 to be used in the bracket of a standard loom yet provides the advantages of an increased separation space 68 between the two rows b c of dents 30 34 as shown in fig2 4 and 5 the clamping portion 60 of second slot 51 of lower channel 50 is stepped from and integral with the upper portion 59 and is configured to receive one of the first and second rows of dents the upper portion of the lower channel has a depth that is at least as great as the sum of the depths of the first and second rows b c of dents 30 34 and the separation space 68 fig4 and 7 that is disposed between the first and second rows b c of dents 30 34 the stepped clamping portion of lower channel 50 is configured with a depth that is smaller than the depth of the upper portion of lower channel 50 by at least an amount equal to the depth of one of the first and second rows b c of dents 30 34 in the illustration of fig2 the first row b of dents 30 is on the beat up.