The 10 Best Hand Punches
This wiki has been updated 21 times since it was first published in August of 2019. Whether you’re a student or a crafter, or require one for your job, a hand punch is a useful tool to have around for cutting clean, precise shapes out of myriad materials. Our selections are designed to work with everything from cardstock and stationery to leather, sheet metal, plastic, and more, and you'll find models suitable for both industrial use and light-duty applications. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Neiko Multi-Purpose Power
2. Swingline Plier
3. Pro-Master Leather
Editor's Notes
August 19, 2019:
There are all sorts of punches available to cater to myriad tasks and materials, like paper punches, metal punches, and arch punches, to name a few. This list focuses strictly on handheld models, with units designed for paper, metal, leather, fabric, canvas, and much more.
We prioritized ease of use, comfort, efficacy, durable build, quality materials, and warranties. It was also important that units didn't jam and came with chip trays, locks, and finger rings for added convenience. We also favored designs that were easy to store or that wouldn't take up too much space on a desk or in an organizer.
Our #1 pick, the Neiko Multi-Purpose Power, is an industrial-grade tool with a middle-of-the-road price that's capable of tackling a plethora of materials and is built to withstand consistent use. For use on paper in an office scenario, the Swingline Plier, We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile, GOOACC One-Slot, and 1InTheOffice Ticket are all suitable. Crafters will appreciate the We R Memory Keepers 3 Way, Fiskars Combo Bundle, and SCS Direct Crafting, but be aware that the latter are very small and can only handle light-duty applications.
Special Honors
Roper Whitney Founded in Rockford, Illinois, Roper Whitney has been crafting hand tools for industry professionals for over a century. They stock heavy-duty offerings in a range of prices, from the budget-friendly to the notably expensive, in myriad configurations that are capable of attending to a variety of tasks. Many tools come with base plates for mounting on benches, and kits with multiple punch-and-die sets in hardshell cases are also readily available. roperwhitney.com
All Things Identification Ticket Punch For railways, bus lines, businesses that use loyalty cards, or any enterprise that requires a punch with a specialty shape, the custom ticket punches from All Things Identification should do the trick. They can accommodate hundreds of shapes, letters, numbers, and even logos. Punches are made in the United States and feature welded finger rings for easy handling and hardened steel dies. allthingsid.com
Malco HP18KR Lightweight and easy to maneuver, this hole punch from Malco can make quick work of sheet metal and vinyl plastic. It sports ergonomic handles with "Redline" technology that are built for repeated use, boast comfortable contours and a nonslip grip, and are engineered to maximize the power stroke of the user. It also features adjustable throat depth for simple hole placement and rust-resistant nickel plating. malcoproducts.com
4. We R Memory Keepers Crop-A-Dile
5. GOOACC One Slot
6. 1InTheOffice Ticket
7. We R Memory Keepers 3 Way
8. SCS Direct Crafting
9. Fiskars Combo Bundle
10. Neiko Center
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.