Question 1

What's the difference between 26/6mm and 24/6mm staples?

Accepted Answer

They are not interchangeable, despite looking nearly identical. The numbers refer to the wire gauge and leg length — 26/6mm uses slightly thinner wire than 24/6mm, meaning a stapler designed for one will jam or misfire with the other. Always check your stapler's manual or the packaging for the correct gauge before buying refills. Most standard desktop staplers use 26/6mm, which is the most widely available size in UK shops.

Question 2

How many sheets can a standard office stapler handle?

Accepted Answer

Most standard desktop staplers are rated for 20–30 sheets of 80gsm paper. Beyond that, you're into heavy-duty territory — models rated for 40–50 sheets, which typically cost from around 15 £. Pushing a standard stapler past its rated capacity is the most common cause of jams and bent staples, so if you regularly bind thick documents, invest in the right capacity rather than forcing a budget model.

Question 3

Is low-force technology actually worth the extra cost?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for anyone stapling more than a handful of documents a day. Low-force staplers use improved leverage mechanisms to reduce the required operating force from around 3–4kg down to 1.5–2.5kg — a meaningful difference over hundreds of staples. The Rexel Optima range is the most cited example in this category. For occasional home use, it's probably overkill. For a busy office, it reduces hand fatigue noticeably and is worth the premium.

Question 4

Should I avoid half-strip staplers for office use?

Accepted Answer

Not necessarily — half-strip staplers are perfectly capable for standard office tasks, they just need reloading twice as often as full-strip models (105 staples vs. 210). The real advantage of half-strip is compactness: they're lighter and take up less desk space. If you're stapling continuously throughout the day, a full-strip model is more practical. For moderate use, half-strip is a reasonable choice, especially if desk space is limited.

Question 5

What causes staple jams, and how do I avoid them?

Accepted Answer

Jams are almost always caused by one of three things: using the wrong staple gauge, overloading the stapler beyond its sheet capacity, or using a worn or budget mechanism without guided feed channels. To avoid them, always use the correct staple size, never exceed the rated capacity, and — if jams are a recurring problem — upgrade to a model with anti-jam technology. Brands like Rexel and Leitz build jam-free mechanisms into their mid-range and above models, which makes a real difference in shared office environments.

Question 6

Are expensive staplers like Novus or Leitz premium models genuinely better?

Accepted Answer

For most users, no — the premium is hard to justify. Novus models average around £83 in this category and are built to an exceptional standard, but their advantages (ultra-low force, near-industrial capacity, precision engineering) only matter if you're stapling thick documents all day in a professional print or legal environment. For a typical office worker, a Rexel or Leitz model in the 15 £–21 £ range delivers 90% of the performance at a fraction of the cost. Buy premium only if your workload genuinely demands it.

Question 7

Which stapler brands are easiest to find replacement staples for in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Rexel, Leitz, Rapesco, and Fellowes are the safest bets — their staples are stocked by Amazon.co.uk, Staples, Ryman, and most office supply retailers. Bostitch and Rapid are also well-supported. Where you can run into trouble is with budget imports or obscure brands that use non-standard gauges. Sticking to established brands means you'll never be caught short, and buying own-brand staples (e.g., Rexel staples for a Rexel stapler) virtually eliminates compatibility issues.

Staplers Price Comparison

Fellowes LX840 White

Fellowes LX850 Flat clinch White

Fellowes LX850 Black

Fellowes LX820 Black

Fellowes LX840 Black

Fellowes LX820 White

Fellowes LX870 Flat clinch White

Staplers Price Comparison