I just read a blog post titled "The Weirdest Thing I've Ever Shopped For Online" where the blogger recounts her purchase of a cast iron, floor model paper cutter. She describes herself as a “hobbyist bookbinder, papermaker, and letterpress printer.” But at the end of the post, she laments that her cutter is now in storage because she doesn’t have room for it in her new house!
This got me thinking about all of the powerful new tabletop paper cutters that we can buy these days. I understand the appeal of a 500 lb. antique guillotine cutter, but the newer models have strength and portability that make them a great option if you really don’t have the room (or the budget) for a cast-iron floor model paper cutter.
I have seen a lot of guillotine cutters over the years, and it’s worthwhile to take advantage of the improvements that have been made in their design.
Dahle makes durable guillotine cutters with a metal base - a step up from the older models that were wood based and therefore subject to splintering and cracking. For under $300, you can get the Dahle 561, which cuts up to 35 sheets at a time. Dahle also has a line of floor models with metal bases for schools, libraries, and other settings where large materials and high volumes need to be cut.
Although I do understand the appeal of the old press machinery, the advantages of newer guillotine cutters make it worth giving up that old fashioned touch.
Especially in a library, school, or an office where the paper cutter will be used constantly, it’s really worthwhile to invest in a new metal-based cutter.
If you need to cut larger, thicker stacks of paper, new stack cutters are also available that make it easy to cut into well over 300 sheets a time - and these are tabletop models.
