Lever Style Cutters/Guillotines
Your trimmers are self-sharpening. Does that mean I will never need a new blade? Our trimmers have a metal blade on the base so each time it is used; the cutting blade sharpens itself. As with any fine cutlery, eventually the blade could wear down and need to be re-sharpened or replaced. For a longer life, run the blade up and down several times without paper. This will perform a sharpening action similar to that of a kitchen knife.

How are your paper cutters self-sharpening? The action is similar to sharpening knives. Dahle Guillotines feature two blades, a moveable upper blade and a stationary lower. During the cutting action, the upper blade files along the edge of the stationary lower blade, sharpening itself in the process. The grinding together of the two metal surfaces hones the cutting edge and produces many years of precision trimming. Paper does not have to be present for this sharpening action to occur.

Can I sharpen the blade on my lever style cutter or guillotine? The blades on the lever style trimmers and guillotines can be sharpened. We do not have a sharpening service but we recommend you call a local knife or scissor sharpener.

Can the blade fall down accidentally? Safety is Dahle’s #1 concern. Our cutters are designed so that the blades will stay in whatever position it is left. This is safety feature to prevent personal injury. Over time, the lever arm may need to be tightened.

Sharp objects make me nervous, what are some safety features to prevent me from getting hurt? Safety is Dahle’s #1 concern. We realize our responsibility in designing safety features that are useful, automatic and unobtrusive to the user. The following are safety features incorporated on most of our Lever Cutters/Guillotines:
-Automatic paper clamp: The trimmer holds the paper securely and eliminates the need to place your hand near the cutting blade.(Some features not available on all cutters).
-Rotary safety shield: This automatic shield covers the blade throughout the entire cutting process.
-Finger Guard: Protects fingers from being near the blade.
-Self-sharpening blade: Ensures your blade is always sharp and cuts easily through material without the need to apply excessive force.
-Non-slip rubber feet: Prevents the trimmer from moving while you are cutting.
-Exact placement blade: Prevents the blade from flying up or falling down after use.
-Lockable blades (567/569 only): Prevents unauthorized use.

What is the plastic piece for on the Premium Guillotines? This piece is an innovative rotary shield. This shield is designed to cover the blade throughout the entire cutting process. Since the safety shield is automatic, you never have to be worried about your fingers being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

What is an automatic paper clamp? An automatic paper clamp is a device that involuntarily holds your work in place. To release the action of this device, lift the blade all the way to the top. This will allow you to remove your material.

How long do the cutting blades last? The life span of a cutting blade varies depending on what you are cutting and how often the trimmer is used. You can contact a Customer Service Representative to help you choose a trimmer that suits your needs.

Are your cutting blades replaceable? The cutting blades are replaceable. You can contact us directly at (800) 243-8145.

Are your Professional Guillotines as precise as your Premium Guillotines? All Dahle products offer precise results. Your precision can be dependent on what you are trying to accomplish and how much you are trying to cut. You should receive the same results on either trimmer when cutting a single sheet of paper. Here are a few things to look for to help guarantee the level of accuracy you need. Size and thickness of the blade, strength and flexibility of the lever arm, and accuracy of the grid and paper guide will all have a combined effect in determining the accuracy of your cut.

Why do you use a metal base while other manufacturers offer a laminated wood? Metal base trimmers are superior to other forms in that they won’t warp, chip, or crack due to age or climate. The metal base also allows our trimmers to be significantly lighter to comparable wood or laminate based trimmers.

Why is sheet capacity listed in a trimmers specifications? Sheet capacity is a standard specification used to measure the capability of the paper trimmer. While the effectiveness of a trimmer should not be measured in sheet capacity alone, it is a helpful guide to it capability. It’s important to note that while Dahle trimmers remain accurate even up to their full capacity, other factors can come into play such as the exact placement of your printed material on each sheet.

What do the imprinted lines and numbers on the base of the cutter represent? The grids and numbers represent standard cutting sizes. Dahle products are made in Germany (excludes Vantage products) so some of the grids represent European paper sizes.

Do you have an instruction booklet in English? Most of our products are made in Germany and sold worldwide. In order to be interpreted universally, some have directions with only drawings. Others have a booklet in several languages; English is found on the pages marked GB (Great Britain).

Where can I purchase replacement parts? Replacement parts can be purchased directly through DahleGov by calling (866) 248-7902. (North America residents only).