A Guillotine Paper Trimmer Classic: Back to Basics
There are times when the next-best-thing really is the best thing – and times when you understand why “classic” is still around – because there is little to nothing to improve upon. Such is the case of the guillotine paper trimmer offered by Swingline. Its ClassicCut Ingento Maple paper trimmer has an “old-school” feel – and outstanding performance. Made of both stainless steel and wood, it combines sturdiness, durability, and performance in an easy-to-use format.
These guillotine paper trimmers are ideal for general-use cutting projects, and are the kind you would expect to find in any teacher resource room or large office. Its steel blade can cut as many as 15 sheets of 20-lb. paper, as well as delicate tissue paper, stiff cardboard, flexible foam, and other materials. Its large cutting deck is a square equal to the length of the blade, making it able to handle virtually any size project; blades come in 12-, 15-, and 18-inch lengths. With a substantial weight of around 18 lbs., a cutting surface made of solid wood, and a sturdy metal cutting arm, this guillotine paper trimmer is designed for durability. The blade is self-sharpening, so it will last for a long time even through heavy use. It is also backed by a manufacturer’s 10-year limited warranty.
Though this trimmer may look old-fashioned, it hasn’t skimped on safety features. These include a protective guard rail to prevent fingers from getting underneath the blade. A latch hook keeps the blade in the “down” position, to increase safety while moving the cutter, and a safety spring washer keeps the blade in its “up” position, to prevent it from falling unexpectedly and slicing whatever happens to be underneath.
The cutting base is marked with an alignment grid and ruler. You will
want to be sure not to place items on top of the trimmer, to avoid warping.
But if you can handle that requirement, you will find that this Swingline
guillotine paper trimmer will perform reliably for years into the future.
It represents a slight investment, at over $100, but is still competitively
priced when compared to other models and considering both its durability
and cutting capacity. It’s a classic for a good reason.