Now that we have a criterion in mind and have identified the features that really matter in choosing the best paper cutter for your needs, let’s look at some of the best brands in the market. We have selected the top five brands, each featuring a great model. Go ahead and pick the paper cutter for you.
You may have never given it much attention, but have you ever wondered just how many things you can do with a paper cutter? Perhaps, you might have been asking yourself why everyone in the office wants one around. Probably, you won’t realize how important this device is, until the moment you have a book you need to bind or several flyers to create. A paper cutter can be a savior in such situations, but you have to be aware of the features that get the job done.
To begin with, using a paper cutter comes with its fair share of risks. And the first and most imminent threat is to your fingers. If you are to keep your hands safe, the devices should have guard rails to prevent any of your fingers sliding into the blade.
And talking of safety, there is a big risk in working with unstable equipment. If your
office desk is quite smooth, you may be worried that this device will slip, with catastrophic consequences. Not to worry; just like a
paper shredder and most other office equipment, paper cutters are built to maintain stability on virtually any tabletop. To prevent slipping, most of these devices come with rubber feet for stability so, regardless of the surface, you can keep working without any cause for worry.
The other thing you cannot afford to miss is the efficiency that the paper cutter can offer. No one loves leaving the office late after struggling to trim some
printing papers for a project due the next day. If the mere thought of it drives you crazy, then you need to get a cutter with the ideal blade for the job. The good news is, these blades are sharp enough, and some of them are self-sharpening for everlasting service.
Then there is the aspect of trimming your papers to the right size. This can prove difficult if you do not have a ruler handy. Good news is, almost all cutters in the market feature a pre-printed ruler or a grid, and some even come with an adjustable paper guide for repetitive cutting. It can go a long way in making your work not only easy, but also precise. From trimming fine edges on cards and flyers, to cutting documents to the desired size and shaping them, you will not have to work with jagged edges anymore.
You can always get more with paper cutters, and you can find this out for yourself with our top selected options, but first take a look at some of their features.
Price
Let’s face it, considering paper cutters’ performance and efficiency, you might expect them to cost you a fortune. Actually, these devices come at a reasonable price, ranging from $25 to $60, and a little more if you want to get a high-end one.
It goes without saying that several factors will affect the price of any paper cutter. For instance, if you go for one that comes with the best safety features like spring action or guard rail, or one with a self-sharpening blade, you can expect to pay more for the quality. This applies to the material too – a wooden cutter will definitely cost you a little less than a plastic one or a resin type. When it comes to the brand too, you can expect a tilt in the price. So, you want the paper cutter that everyone is talking about in town. Well, you can be sure to spend more on that product than you would with the less known brands.
Most importantly, you need to understand the worth of the paper cutter you are going for. Unfortunately, the market is flooded with numerous cheap paper cutters, but these are not for you. If you want to take shortcuts, then you might end up with a device that lacks essential features like an ideal handle, pre-printed grid or a safety latch hook that you would get with a quality cutter.
Features
Behind every reliable paper cutter, several features bring out the best in it. If you want to make the most of your cutter, these are some things to look for.
- Type – Paper cutters come in two types – the sliding blades, and the guillotine type. These may vary considerably in design or performance, but either of the types will always get the job done. If you prefer either of the two, you can always keep an eye on the other features to ensure you get the best deal.
- Size – If there is one aspect of these devices that can vary from one to the other, then it has to be the size. Most cutters are shaped nearly the same, but they vary in size, from the lightweight options that you can easily carry around to the more hefty ones. This comes down to your preference. or the needs you have for the cutter.
- Maximum Load – Whether a paper cutter can cut ten or more sheets of paper, or handle a certain cut length, depends on the individual cutter you land on. Most of them, however, are built for heavy-duty function. As such, they will usually withstand a load of even up to thirty sheets at a go. Most importantly, determining your needs should come first.
- Blade – The blade is an essential part of the paper cutter, and usually made of stainless steel. For ideal operation, most of these blades are sharp enough to slice through sheets of paper like butter. Most of them do not lose their edge quickly, and some are designed to self-sharpen themselves as you operate the device. Most important of all is the issue of safety. To achieve this essential goal, most cutters are fitted with a protective blade guard rail to keep your fingers from danger, as well as having blade latch hooks for locking the blade in place when the cutter is not in use.
Construction and Design
The construction of a paper cutter makes all the difference between having a device you will be proud of and blaming yourself for wasting your money. If you want the real deal, here is what you should not miss.
Weight
Cutters come in different sizes, and so they vary in weight. The options here can be overwhelming, but you should always zero in on the perfect one that best fits your desired mode of use. Some cutters are light enough for easy portability, while others have some heft to them. If you are looking for something to place on the desk so you can use it there, then the options are on your side but, if you need one you can carry from one place to the next quite often, then you need to ensure you get a lightweight one.
Material
The material used in making paper cutters differs as well. This might vary from one brand to the other. You might go green and choose the natural wood options in the market or opt for the recycled resin type. Plastic cutters are also available.
Design
Each cutter is designed in a distinct style according to the manufacturer’s choice. Most of these devices are well built, and they usually make a good addition to your table. Whether you are using it in the home office or on your desk at the office, well-designed paper cutters can be a conversation starter.
Performance and Ease of Use
Performance is the most important aspect of a paper cutter. This is where you need to get everything right, and everybody in the office will want a cutter like yours. But what do you need most?
Safety
Using a paper cutter may seem like a simple task, but it poses some threats – the most significant being the risk of your finger getting into the blade. A slight mistake may ruin your papers too, so it is important to ensure everything runs smoothly. Most cutters feature a guard rail, which keeps your fingers from the sharp blade by creating a barrier between the two. Some cutters also come with a spring action function. This keeps the blade from falling unexpectedly. Others have a latch hook for holding the blade in a downward position for all-time safety. The other aspect that’s usually overlooked is the stability of the device, and this is usually achieved by non-skid rubber feet. Having the cutter well placed and tightly secured can save you both injury and wrong cuts on the papers.
Ease of Use
A paper cutter may have a razor-sharp blade, but if the handle is not ideal, you might well have a torturous feat trying to use it. The handle should be comfortable in your hand, as well as having smooth movement. Fortunately, most handles feature an ergonomic design to provide a comfortable and steady grip. This means you can use the device for hours without any issues or discomfort whatsoever.
We are sure that by now you are confident about getting the best paper cutter for your needs. If you are not yet convinced that any of these five cutters have all you need, you can always browse the brands we have recommended and check out their other amazing options too. You will surely find something to your liking. Then, hit that buy button with confidence!
