Stapler of the Week Archive- Bostitch P-4

Bostitch P4 stapler steel black finish

The Bostitch P4 is another fine stapler design by J.F. Cavanagh. Perhaps you remember the Bostitch P1 stapler featured May, 24, 2008. The P4 has the look of a staple gun tacker but Cavanagh included an anvil plate with a very deep throat. The combination of increased staple-driving leverage and the extended reach of the anvil plate suggests it was designed for commercial or industrial use. In my opinion, at the time the P4 and the P1 were two of the more innovative stapler designs offered by Bostitch. They took the power of a tacker and applied it for stapling good, not evil.

detail of J.F. Cavanagh patent 2,095,659 Fastener Applying Device

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, March, 30, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Markwell RTP

Markwell RTP steel chrome finish

Markwell RTP steel chrome finish

The Markwell RTP is remarkable for its ornate engraved decoration announcing everything you need to know about it. This engraving lets you know which and how many staples you'll use, how far you have to insert the paper to put your staple up to 4 inches from the edge, where you need to press to operate the stapler and perhaps most importantly "RTP" is the nickname you'll use for your Markwell stapler. I can't say what "RTP" is short for aside from the fact Markwell used similar model names such as the RX, RF, RB, along with many variations on these model initials by adding extra numbers or letters. In addition to these intitals, some models were also given additional nicknames, such as the Staple-Master, the Pacemaker, the Handi-Clip and the Staple-Robot to name a few. In any case, the RTP is a very memorable stapler.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, March 22, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- El Casco 85 CT

El Casco 85 CT steel chrome finish

El Casco 85 CT box cardboard printed label

The 85 CT is another amazing El Casco stapler. It may not be the gold plated version, but this chrome plier, like the M1-CA, is quite a statement. My first thought was how closely it resembles the Neva Clog Junior. The 85 CT's construction is a bit more substantial, but it is produced for a luxury market, whereas the Junior was manufactured with utility in mind. The box provides a useful lesson for stapler enthusiasts, because as the art of stapling maybe a universal language, it helps to know the corresponding word for what it is you're speaking.

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, March 14, 2009.

Stapler of the Week Archive- Bates 88P

Bates Hand-Grip 88P steel gray and chrome finish

Bates Hand-Grip 88P box printed cardboard

Bates Hand-Grip 88P plastic, steel chrome finish

Somewhere in between Swingline's 99 plier and Cub plier, the Bates Hand-Grip 88P is simple and to the point. It is interesting to contrast these two examples to see how little the more modern plastic and steel example has changed from its all steel predecessor. The interesting feature of all three mentioned staplers is the pierced tab at the back. I've already offered the theory that it's purpose was meant to prevent "office drift," but I ponder whose office it was used in. It's actually small enough to be carried in a pocket and would be classified as a light duty stapler. It may be foolish to wonder at who or what vocation this design was aimed, but it's what I think about in my spare moments. I'm always asking the question, "What would you fasten with this stapler?"

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, March 8, 2009.