I get a lot of questions from people asking me what the difference is between cross cut, diamond cut, particle cut and confetti cut paper shredders. The short and quick answer is that there is not really any difference between the various synonyms. The original and probably more correct terminology for paper cut in a criss-cross pattern is cross cut.

Cross cut is a generalized word that can be used to cover all the various shredding terms. Diamond cut paper shredders typically cut paper into very tiny diamond-shaped particles, but this is still referred to as a cross cut paper shredder. The same goes with confetti cut. Confetti cut shredders, which produce very skinny 1 to 2-inch long strips is also a type of cross cut shredder.

Cross cut is even spelled differently, depending on who you talk to. I have seen it spelled both cross cut and crosscut. Ultimately there really is no wrong answer, but you’ll probably confuse fewer people if you stick to using “cross cut” when referring to this type of shredder.

Cross cut shredders cut paper into various sizes and lengths. The different cut patterns are referred to as “security levels,” sometimes referred to as DIN 32757 (the official definitions). The higher the security level, the more secure your shredded information will be.

The highest security level currently available is security level 6, which is almost dust. This security level is used by the military and government for top secret shredding. While most people will not need shredder security level that high, I wouldn’t recommend going with anything under a security level 3 if you can help it.

You can see detailed specifications on all paper shredder security levels by going here: http://www.abcoffice.com/shredder_guide.htm#security

You have more than likely experienced a jammed shredder in your lifetime. It could be from accidentally shredding too much paper, or if you’re like me, you simply like to push your shredder to the limit. Who hasn’t grabbed 30 sheets of paper and tried to run it through a shredder? Although that’s probably not such a good idea, regardless of the shredder you’re using, there is now a new line of shredders that tout the title of being “Jam Free.”

GBC, the makers of Shredmaster, recently released a new line of “jam-free” paper shredders. These new shredders have sensors that detect when too much paper is being fed through. The shredders will let you know, by means of a red LED, that too much paper is being fed through the machine. Simply cut down the sheets being fed and your off to shredding paper again. There are no jams, no grinding noises and no visits to the repair shop.

One thing I really like about these shredders, other than the “jam-free” capabilities, is that they look nice. They are easy on the eyes and aesthetically pleasing. They will easily fit right in into any office or home.

A few of the models include the:

RSX128

RDX1413 RDS1819 & RDX1619

These shredders are available in strip cut and cross cut designs. We have a wide selection of paper shredders available, so stop by and look at the entire selection. Happy shredding!

Over the past week or two, you have probably received at least one or two credit card applications. If you’re like most people, you probably throw them in the garbage. If you’re concerned about the application being stolen, you may tear the envelope in half or quarters.

This may put your mind at rest, but some ambitious criminals don’t mind using a little Scotch tape to patch things up. Taped credit card applications are often accepted regardless. Although tearing a credit card application up isn’t a bad idea, weeding out most ID thieves, it is not fraud proof. This is certainly better than doing nothing.

Although dumpster diving is legal in most states, what they do with that information can make it illegal. The best failsafe to prevent dumpster divers is by using a good cross cut shredder. I keep a shredder in my own home office and shred anything that has personal information or applications.

Shredders are great at home or in the office. I recommend having one in both places. The price of a shredder is nothing in comparison to damaged credit or identity theft. You can see our entire line of paper shredders by going here.

The government doesn’t use just any shredder when it comes to shredding sensitive and top-secret documents. They use the highest-security shredders available on the market. The National Security Agency (NSA) has come up with a list of shredders that they consider to be appropriate for the shredding of top-secret documents.

These shredders are referred to as security level six shredders and shred paper down to 1mm x 4-5mm. The particles are almost as small as dust.

You can find a complete description on security level six shredders by looking at our paper shredder guide.

You can find a list of our high-security paper shredders by going here. Is your shredder on the list? Take a look and see.

Although security level six shredders are nice to have, they are not necessary for everyone. Most ID thieves won’t bother looking at shredded material. They may piece together strip-cut documents, but will almost always avoid cross-cut documents. Thieves usually don’t want to put forth the effort to piece documents back together, and will usually move on to another location for something un-shredded.

Have you ever considered recycling your shredded paper? Although recycling shredded paper, as compared to non-shredded paper, is more complicated, it can be done. Many people also use their shredded paper as compost.

If you have properly destroyed sensitive information, you can take those shredded particles and recycle them. If you shred a lot of paper, or work for a large business, you may want to consider a shredder baler. Shredder balers shred dozens of sheets of paper at once, compact the particles and bale them. The bale looks much like a bale of hay you would see at a farm.

You can see an example of one of these industrial shredders by going here:

Baled paper is very dense. It is easy to transport with a cart or a hand truck. The baled paper can be stored in a warehouse or loaded on a truck where it can later be recycled. One bale of paper, usually about the size of a box, contains the equivalent of several bags worth of shredded paper.

Shredder baler combinations vary in size. Some can fit in an office environment, where others will fill a small warehouse. Shred services often use shredder balers in their trucks due to the limited space. Shredder balers vary in the amount of papers they can shred at any given time. Some high-volume shredder baler combinations can shred up to 400 sheets of paper at once.

We have always had one of the largest selections of paper shredders available on the Web. We carry shredders from major manufacturers such as Fellowes, Destroyit, Intimus, Rexel, GBC, Kobra and more.
Shredders vary from home office to large industrial shredders. Offis Life paper shredders are our newest addition. A total of 27 new shredders will be added to our already large lineup. Offis Life shredders are 100 percent comparable to the familiar HSM brand of paper shredders. All our shredders can be found here.

Because we have hundreds of shredders to choose from, we have created an interactive shopper assistant.
It is designed to help narrow down your search by asking a series of common questions. It is really effective. I would recommend giving it a try.

The Offis Life high-security paper shredders have been especially popular. The 2777HS is a customer favorite. We have also found the Offis Life 1577HS to be a top pick. Feel free to browse our shredders and look at the new Offis Life shredders.

We are very excited about the addition of eight new Formax paper shredders to our lineup. We have sold Formax products for years. You may have heard of their popular folder inserters and paper folders. Due to our success in the paper shredder industry, we have been given almost exclusive distribution privileges.

We have had several Formax products set up on our display floor and I have had the chance to play around with the Formax FD8600CC. The first thing I noticed is how quiet the shredder is. The sound of the actual paper being shred is louder than the motor on this shredder. I have never heard a shredder so quiet. Because the Formax shredders are so quiet, they are perfect for use in areas where people are working. Compared to these shredders, comparable shredders sound like lawn mowers.

The shredders are made from durable solid metal. The menu on these shredders are very well laid out and easy to read. The mid to high-level shredders include a load indicator that let you know how much stress is being put on the motor. This helps you know whether or not you are putting too much paper into it. Putting the appropriate amounts of paper into a shredder will help prolong the shredder’s life.

I would highly recommend taking a look at the new shredders. If you are in need of a new shredder, you should try one of these out. I’m confident you’ll love it!

You have probably wondered at one time or another how effective shredding documents really is against identity theft. Although ¼-inch strip-cut shredding is the least effective method of shredding documents, most thieves won’t bother to try and tape the documents back together. They will simply skip that and go to another garbage or neighbor who doesn’t shred.

Why take the time to piece together strip-cut particles when you could easily go to the next location? Most thieves want to put forth as little effort as possible. For added security, it is generally recommended to use a cross-cut shredder. Cross-cut shredders create particles that are almost impossible to tape back together.

The reason I say almost is because some people are willing to take the time to try and tape documents back together. It is not the casual thief or the regular shredded material that I’m talking about. It is the thief interested in discovering corporate secrets or finding out top-secret information from the government that I’m referring to. It used to be generally accepted that a level 5 shredder (1 x 11 mm) was the best in shredding. Particles were believed to be impossible to decipher. It was later discovered that some data could still be read using a high-powered microscope.

After 9/11 it has become even more important for the government, Pentagon and military to shred top-secret documents. This led to the creation of the level 6 shredder (1 x 4 mm). This is now the standard for use by the government, Pentagon and military.

Some level six shredders shred paper down to particles as small as 0.07 x 2.6 mm. Although the U.S. military and government are the biggest consumer of top-secret shredders, large corporations also find the need to shred sensitive documents using sophisticated shredding methods. You can find all our level six shredders by going here. You can read about all six shredder levels by going here.

Since working for ABC Office, I have seen the demand for paper shredders grow significantly over the past several years. To help keep up with demand, we have increased our shredder line by adding the popular Fellowes brand paper shredders to our site. A total of 21 new shredders have been added. While all the shredders can handle paper, many of the new models can shred CDs, DVDs, credit cards and more. Come take a look at our new selection of Fellowes shredders by going here.

Document shredding is one of the most important ways you can protect your identity. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) states, “To thwart a thief who may pick through your trash or recycling bins to capture your personal information, tear or shred your charge receipts, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, checks and bank statements, expired credit or charge cards that you’re discarding, and credit offers you get in the mail.

Take a look at our useful fraud prevention ideas and paper shredder recommendations by going here:

Shredder Guide

Fraud Prevention Guide

HIPAA

FACTA

For information about a paper shredder that may work for you, call toll-free (1-800-658-8788) Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. MST. A knowledgeable customer service representative can then assist with answering questions regarding shredders.