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- Bostitch P-1

Bostitch P-1 black finish steel

The Bostitch P-1 fits neatly in the palm of my hand with my pinkie finger inserted in the finger grip. It took me a while to understand how to load the stapler. It turns out to be a front loading stapler as the rest of the stapler and its mechanism is concealed within the casing. The handles of the plier stapler have also been contained, making the P-1 remarkably compact tool.

Designed by John F. Cavanagh in 1933, the P-1 was described as a "pocket fastener-applying implement." Cavanagh had such an eye for compactness that the designs allowed the finger grip to be folded up into the casing when not in use. This example does not have that capability yet it loses no favor in my eyes.

detail of J.F. Cavanagh patent 1,994,567 Pocket Fastener Applying Implement

Excerpt from the Stapler of the Week, May 24, 2008.