Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog J-30 shallow mouth

Neva Clog J-30 brushed metal finish

I cannot stop looking for new Neva Clog staplers.  There are long stretches where I think there isn't anything new to see and then a new variation emerges.  This J-30 is keeping its opinion to itself.  The usual wide open grin is kept to a short smirk, which provides a stop for keeping that staple just the right distance from the edge of the paper.  This is the only deviation from the trusty design that started my stapler collection.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, March 16, 2020.

Stapler of the Week Archive-Neva Clog P-50

Neva Clog P-50 steel brushed metal finish

When it rains, it pours. In the last month I have learned about three new Neva Clog staplers. The appearance of the P-50 connects a model number with the US2033599 patent drawing. At first, I was a bit puzzled by its appearance, the spring button that pushes up through the anvil plate. Fortunately, the patent drawing explains its purpose. The anvil of the P-50 is designed solely to pin and the button prevents the staple from bending up in the middle, producing a easily removable staple. The design seems almost limiting but I am sure with knowledge of its intended application, it makes perfect sense. In any case, I am only too pleased to share another chapter of the Neva Clog story.

detail of US2033599 patent drawing

detail of US2033599 patent drawing

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, October 1, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog M-100 & MB-100

Neva Clog M-100 chrome finish

Every now and then something comes along and renews my passion for staplers. Best described as a "Franken-stapler", the M-100 is a S-100 with a modified jaw. I have every reason to believe it was Neva Clog factory modification as evidenced in the photo below from a recent online auction. The box is labeled "Special Neva Clog Stapling Plier Model MB-100," indicating the MB-100 is most likely a modified B-100. It gives me great hope to know there are more Neva Clog "Special" staplers out there. From browsing Neva Clog patents, I know there were many more stapler designs than staplers I've seen and that means many more Neva Clog to find. Cherchez l'agrafeuse!

Neva Clog MB-100 image from a recent online auction

Excerpt from The Stapler of the Week, September 23, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog D-30

Neva Clog D-30 brushed metal finish

It is with great pleasure that I share with you my Neva Clog D-30. I can't tell you how long I've wanted this stapler and the sold price listed at DecoWorld.com led me to believe it was somewhat out of my reach. Fortunately, I found a much less expensive, yet less pristine example.

Patents for this stapler (2087242 and 2041523) list the inventor as Earl C. Bunnell (born c.1895, died 1958). Bunnell was an industrial designer and held a variety of patents for items such as a safety razor, an eyelash applicator, a smoking pipe and one for a machine which manufactures Q-Tips. He also holds one patent for the J-30 (2088404). One will note a variation in the plunger knob between this example and the D-30 presented by the Office Museum.

detail from Earl C. Bunnell patent 2,041,523 Stapling Device

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, July 22, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog Junior

Neva Clog Junior chrome finish, made in Germany

This was a Neva Clog model I didn't know existed. I was excited when I came across it grouped in an auction lot with a Sargent & Co wire cutter and a W Schollhorn Co eyelet setter. Of course, I was doubly excited when these items introduced me to an additional world of tools. But, don't worry, my stapler budget does not allow me to branch out into the cut-throat world of tool collectors.

The Junior only adds to the mysterious German origin of some Neva Clog staplers. It's design is similar to the German B-100 featured in the Stapler of the Week on February 7, 2008. The Junior jaw opening places it in the same category as the S-100 series. I'm uncertain for what intended use such a model was designed. The shorter handles decrease it's stapling leverage and, as a result, sheet or stapled-material capacity. Once again, the Neva Clog saga continues.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Markwell RX-45 & Neva Clog Stapler

Markwell RX-45 chrome finish

Neva Clog Stapler (unknown model) corroded chrome finish, made in Germany

After looking at a few hundred staplers, one begins to recognize stapler types of which each company manufactured a version. These two models are cut from thinner steel when compared to the similarly designed El Casco M-1CA. When compared to the luxury of El Casco, these staplers were most likely the economy models. Each stapler uses a narrow gauge staple, the RX-45 using RX staples and the Neva Clog using the standard DJ-340, suggesting they were meant for light-duty stapling needs.

I have not seen many examples of the featured Neva Clog stapler. It is yet another taste of the company's products manufactured in Germany. Like the German B-100, this model features a removable front plate to facilitate removing jammed staples and we all know how frustrating a staple jam can be.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, March 1, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog B-100

Neva-Clog B-100 chrome finish

Neva-Clog B-100 Box printed cardboard

Neva-Clog B-100 chrome finish, Made in Germany

I found a couple of examples of the B-100 stapling plier which I referenced in the Stapler of the Week on October 17, 2007. The top example is of US manufacture and the bottom made in Germany. This is a new area to explore. I also have an example of a desktop Neva-Clog manufactured in Germany which seems to be the earliest Neva-Clog in the collection.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week February 7, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog DT-30

Neva Clog DT-30 aluminum & steel

This Neva Clog has been on my wish-list since I found out it existed. Although, I could say that about every new stapler I learn about. The DT-30 design is very interesting in contrast to the other Neva Clog models. Its combination of aluminum & steel suggest a design toward a light yet strong stapler. If the 'Gator' were made of the same gauge steel as the other Neva Clog plier staplers, it might prove to be a bit heavy to use. I think about G. Halvarsen, using this stapler, and wonder what he might have been fastening. An internet search turned up a 1955 instructional document from the Philco Corporation that specifically called for the DT-30 in the assembly of their Apple receiver. I don't know if G. Halvarsen worked on early color television technology, but thanks to him, I have a great example of this stapling pliers.

Excerpt from The Stapler of the Week, January 17, 2008.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog D-40 & D-40X

Neva Clog D-40 brushed metal finish with corrosion

Neva Clog D-40X brushed metal finish and wood base

Neva Clog produced a line of desk top staplers in addition to their plier staplers. The D-30, D-40 and D-40X are the Neva Clog staplers recognized as being perhaps the most art deco in design. I'm not the best person to make that distinction, but they are very attractive. Their sleek lines and solid construction make them very pleasant to use. I don't use them much however because my supply of DJ-340 staples is low.

These staplers are remarkable for their styling and details, but beyond that, they are the most common types of staplers available. One need only look to the Ace Pilot for another example of these common desk top models. They function very much the same, yet they have very different aesthetic value. The D-40 is the standard model, similar to the Pilot, the D-30 is the compact model, and the D-40X is the extended reach model for stapling booklets & pamphlets.

The D-30 is featured on the Magazine Stapling Machines page of the Early Office Museum and one example was featured for sale by DecoWorld. DecoWorld was the first hit I found for replacement DJ-340 staples. I've since found other sources with varying prices, but haven't made a big order yet.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, October 29, 2007.

Stapler of Week Archive- Neva Clog S-100

Neva Clog S-100 black finish

Neva Clog S-100 chrome finish

Neva Clog produced many models of plier staplers to perform different tasks. As the J-30, J-60, and J-56R were more suited to the office, the S-100, F-100, and B-100 models were meant for tougher tasks. I've found reference to them used by leather workers and even corn breeders (Maize Newsletter Issue 15, 1941). As seen illustrated below, the S, F and B-100s varied in jaw opening size. The S-100 and F-100 used either A-1000 (1/4" leg) or L-1000 (5/16" leg), where as the B-100 had it's own B-staples. If you find yourself confused by all the stapler and staple model numbers, you're not alone. There's really no discernible logic to these names but it's interesting to hypothesize what different things one would staple with each model. I measured and my index finger would fit in a 1/2" jaw opening which brings back a rather unhappy childhood memory. You can fill in the details. Luckily, these S-100s only have 9/32" of clearance so I won't have to relive that experience.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, October 18, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog J-30 & J-60

Neva Clog J-30 chrome finish


Neva Clog J-60 tarnished chrome finish

When I first became interested in staplers, my father-in-law gave me my first example of a Neva Clog. That stapler is the J-30 pictured above and came to me along with three or four boxes of Salco replacement DJ-340 staples. It sparked my taste for the stapler plier and the box of Neva Clog staplers in my studio is perhaps evidence of that fact. I've given J-30's as gifts to friends and nephews. They all have had the distinct N-C mark, but only the example given to me by my father-in-law bears the fantastic representation of what the stapler does. The J-60 may not be pretty, but it does have one added feature the J-30 doesn't. With aid of the switch on the bottom, the J-60 has the ability to staple and pin. This may be a feature we take for granted these days, but it wasn't always an option. There is still much more to the Neva-Clog story and as I learn more, you can be sure you'll be the first to hear about it.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, June 12, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Neva Clog J-56

Neva Clog J-56-R brushed metal

Neva Clog is perhaps my favorite of all stapler companies and yet I know very little about it. Located in Bridgeport, CT, Neva Clog produced staplers geared toward very specific tasks. Their "J" line was geared toward the clerical side of the stapling public. But they also produced a whole line of more industrial staplers intended for use in factories, farms, warehouses, upholstery, and leather work. The Model J-56-R is perhaps the most interesting of the "J" line because it features a built-in stapler remover, that folds out not unlike the blade of a jackknife. I'm pretty sure the "R" stands for remover, but I can't be absolutely sure about that. We can look forward to many more Neva Clogs in future Stapler of the Week Posts...I guarantee it!


Excerpt from Stapler of the Week, May 25, 2007.