Stapler of the Week Archive- Hotchkiss No. 57

Hotchkiss No. 57 steel grey and chrome finish

Hotchkiss No. 57 steel black and chrome finish

Hotchkiss No. 57 box cardboard with printed paper label

These examples of the Hotchkiss No. 57 join the No. 52 and No. 54 in the series but at first glance they reveal only superficial differences between models. The No. 57 uses a slightly narrower gauge 1/8" staple, where as the No. 52 and No. 54 share 3/16" or 1/8" staples. The instructions included in the No. 52 and No. 57 boxes references the method to clear jammed staples "by placing a pencil between the jaws of the plier and compressing the handles" at which point "the patented spring front plate comes into play allowing the crumpled staples to be ejected." The No. 54 is not mentioned in these instructions and this led me to notice a small button located just behind the jaw which when depressed takes the place of the pencil in ejecting a jammed staple. This button is also found on the Elastic Juwel, which leads me to believe it's taken from the German design. All in all another fascinating chapter in the Hotchkiss story.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, February 18, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Swingline Cub Plier

Swingline Cub Plier steel chrome and green finish

Swingline Cub Plier steel chrome and green finish

Along with previously featured Swingline Cub staplers, these Cub Pliers not only fall into the "cute" category, but are also perfectly sized for comfort and function. When held in one's palm, the user's thumb and index finger naturally fall into position in the indents on the top and bottom of the stapler. The Cub Plier features a punched tab at the rear to enable attaching a chain or string to prevent "office product drift" which tends to occur in the workplace. As with all Cub examples, Cub or no 77 staples are required, for which I am still searching for a equivalent source as Swingline has discontinued production and sold off all surplus stock. I have not seen enough examples to speak to the color variety, although a recent eBay auction featured an orange Cub Plier, which in my experience is an uncommon color. Crate and Barrel's trendy subsidiary, CB2, is peddling a modern orange Swingline. Although, I can't say it'll be on my wish-list.

Image from a eBay auction offered by Mitchell's Memorabilia Company.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, February 12, 2009.