Stapler of the Week Archive- Markwell Staple-Master

Markwell Staple-Master chrome and silver painted metal with rubber foot

This Markwell was the second in a line of stapler gift from my in-laws. I have to say, I have yet to truly understand it. It is a front loading stapler, by way of the unpainted clip cover. Above is a little lever which is under a label reading, "Press up gently and then release quickly before loading." I haven't really found more info on this exact model. What I like about this Staple-Master is the markings. There is a identity tag on it with a shield and the numbers "12-2244." I don't know what that means but it's intriguing. On the plunger top is written in cursive script, "Markwell RF Master," the Markwell name is engraved in the rubber foot, and the name, "Staple-Master" is proudly engraved in all-caps on the very front of the stapler. Markwell still produces and sells office staplers, but most of its business is specialty and industrial staplers and tackers.


Excerpt from Stapler of the Week, May 30, 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.

Stapler of the Week Archive - Swingline 615 Saddle Stapler

Swingline 615 Saddle Stapler grey painted and chromed metal with rubber & plastic features

The first time I saw a Swingline 615, was in 2004 during a premarital counselling session with the white-haired scandinavian Pastor at my grandmother's Lutheran Church. I commented on the stapler and my fiance (now my wife) said she had used them many times (perhaps at the historic house museum or the University mail room she worked in during college.) I was entranced by it. I had made a few booklets in college but had never knew there was a stapler with the expressed purpose of binding these booklets. I had learned about the saddle stitch binding while working at West Publishing. In my two months at Kinko's, I learned to operate copy machines that would copy, fold and staple a booklet. The fact that these operations were happening with the use of machinery did not amaze me, it was the fact that such an odd looking thing would be designed for use by the general public.

In my pursuit of owning a saddle stapler, I found examples of electric foot-pedal activated saddle staplers for high volume booklet making. I almost bought one, but then, when would I ever be saddle stapling enough booklets to need it. The Swingline 615 is in no way vintage. This particular model is fairly modern and is still available for sale. If you search it out on the internet, you'll find it's not a cheap item new ($80 - $100) and that it takes special #35150 round wire staples. I have yet to buy a box and start making some more booklets. As the complete finishing service copier moves out onto the Kinko's self-service floor, I think a my studio and a Lutheran Pastor's office will be the only place to find one.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week Archive, May 15, 2007

Stapler of the Week Archive - Chadwick Stapleless Stapler

Chadwick Stapleless Stapler chrome finish with rust accents

So, this isn't technically a stapler. But, when I started learning about the world of stapleless staplers, I had to have one. My first pursuit was after a stapleless paper fastener made by the Bump Fastener Company from La Crosse, Wisconsin. There was also the Clipless Paper Fastener Company of Newton, Iowa, who eventually bought out Bump. Above is pictured a Chadwick Stapleless Stapler , which functions on the same principle. A hole and a tab are punched after which the tab is folded into the hole fastening the paper together without a staple.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week Archives, May 11, 2007

Stapler of the Week Archive - Star Wire Stapler

Star Wire Stapler metal

I really don't know all that much about this stapler. Embossed on the bottom is the text, "SOLD EXCLUSIVELY BY THE STAR PAPER FASTENER CO., INC. NORWALK CONNECTICUT. Made in U.S.A. Patent Dec. 10, 1918 Others Pend. Patent No. 1,787,285 & No. 1,829,537" Sources indicate it was manufactured by the Jones Mfg. Company, which later became the E. H. Hotchkiss Co.. It is identical to the Hotchkiss 1A made in 1929. Such is the blurry line between stapler companies. One company buys out another, retools old designs, scraps the innovations, and the result is a lot of boring homogeneous staplers. But don't get me wrong, I have hope for the future of stapler design.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week Archives, May 4, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive - Faber Castell FC-1

Faber-Castell FC-1 chrome finish

I love plier staplers. It's sort of hard to describe it but they appeal to my primal right to bear arms instincts. The FC-1 I have at work had been once chained to a receiving desk but I always imagine it holstered at my side, my stapler finger twitching just a bit. Back to the point, the FC-1 has the distinction of being designed and manufactured by ISABERGS VERKSTADS AB, Hestra, Sweden. It and just about every other stapler plier that looks like it are SWEDISH!!! The percentage of Swede in me brims with pride and amazement in the fact that Sweden is even in the stapler market, let alone has nearly cornered the market on shiny chrome plier staplers. I use one at work because it also has the distinction of using a full strip of standard staples, meaning I can dip into the office supply...shhh!

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, April 26, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive - Tatum T-155 "Little Buddy"

Tatum T-155 "Little Buddy" gun metal grey and chrome metal

The Tatum T-155 or "Little Buddy" came to me in a lot of staplers. I must admit I was not at first impressed by it. Produced by the Wilson Jones Co. (now owned by ACCO brands), the "Little Buddy" was in production from 1951 to 1965 as indicated through patent research by the Stapler Exchange. This model is, however, excessively unremarkable when compared with the Tatum Aluminum Stapler. I would have to agree that that model is "highly sought after." But as my wife and I tighten our belts, I won't be doing any stapler-seeking on the caliber on the level of the Tatum Aluminum Stapler.

So, it'll be the "Little Buddy" for me.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, April 19, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive - Swingline "Tot 50"

Swingline "Tot 50", red plastic and corroded chrome metal

I have gotten a few replies regarding how the stapler of the week was their family stapler. The Swingline "Tot 50" was my family stapler. I don't recall it being used for anything except perhaps for the family taxes. My family can confirm or deny this but for the most part, the "Tot 50" just took up space. The pictured stapler is not the family stapler, but rather one I received as part of a large lot of staplers. Like other staplers, the "Tot 50", has been redesigned and remarketed. One of my co-workers showed me his little orange stapler and I didn't know what to make of it. It was the new "Tot 50" and I had no idea. There's a variety of colors, the optional built in staple remover or the version with a magnet to stick it to your locker, etc. It fits anywhere but as a result is fairly insubstantial and yet, it still holds a place in my heart.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, March 29, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive - Swingline Speed Stapler No. 4

Swingline Speed Stapler no. 4, green painted & chrome metal with plastic plunger

My wife and I have been watching the BBC series Foyle's War for the past week or so. Set in England during World War II, the program focuses on the fact that murder is still murder, even during war times, and Folye won't let you get away with it. The production notes of the film included some insight into theset dressing of the film. Objects needed to be old and yet look new as they would have in the 1940's.

So, I thought this Speed Stapler would be mildly appropriate for the film. These models were very much influenced by the streamlining of all things of the era. Was it faster than other staplers due to less wind drag? It must have been aerodynamically superior to have earned the title of "Speed Stapler."

Does anyone else think this thing looks like the sphinx?

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, March 22, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive - Swingline Cub

Swingline Cub light grey

Swingline Cub grey

Swingline Cub green

Swingline Cub red

Swingline Cub light brown

Swingline Cub black

These early all metal Cubs add the cute-factor to my collection. As with last week's aceliner, the Cub came in many colors. The Cub was redesigned several times in its life and still exists today as a standard half-strip stapler. These examples required 77 or Cub staples that went out of production 15 - 20 years ago and Swingline/Acco has since sold off their surplus stock. So, if one wants to use a Cub, look to ebay, goodwill or the antique shop for staples, as I haven't yet found a source for replacement staples.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, March 15, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Ace aceliner

aceliner brown plastic and chrome finish

The third example of Ace brand staplers from my collection is another addition made by my wife. A careworn, though not distressed example, this aceliner is still commercially available. An "executive" model, it is also comes in black. Vintage items were available in green, red in a similar plastic and also earlier Bakelite faux tortoise shell in a variety of colors. It's a very comfortable stapler to use both in the hand and on the desk top. The cursive name moulded on the handle and the neat detail of the brown plastic in the tab of the spring loading mechanism cheer me right up.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, March 6, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline 99

Swingline 99 two tone drab olive plastic and chrome finish

This little hand-held stapler came to me from some friends in the electronic auction ether. This model is still sold today, albiet with less appealing design and color. I'm not altogether to sure I like current stapler design. As more and more parts become plastic and "ergonomically designed," I'm less inclined to look at them. But here, the Swingline 99 fits perfectly in one's palm and is very much made of plastic. I think I can afford to contradict myself occassionally when the stapler is this cool.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, February 28, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Ace Clipper

Ace Clipper chrome finish

A fantastic plier stapler if I've ever seen one, and I've seen a few to date. Perhaps you've seen one on the pharmacy or take out-counter, the plier stapler is a favorite of counter help and shipping clerks across the world. Still available for purchase, the Ace Clipper uses a particular type of staple, as evident on the stamped writing on the handle. I try to stay away from staplers that require me to buy special staples, but there's so much going on when one uses the Ace Clipper. Most staplers only hinge at the tail, whereas the Ace Clipper pivots around 5 separate hinge points. I think that's pretty cool.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, February 22, 2007.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Ace Pilot

Ace Pilot-chrome finish

Purchased by my wife at the Grandstand State Fair Antique spectacular. This stapler now serves as a doorstop for our bedroom door. These staplers seem to be the most satisfying to use because of the plunger action, reminiscent of a 60's game show buzzer technology. Another comparison one could make is to a telegraph key, but one would waste a lot of staples trying to staple out Morse code.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week archive, February 13, 2007.