The 10 Best Hand Punches
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
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.