Scotch 1 Core Desk Tape Dispenser (C38 Py) Review

Everyone uses tape in one form or another to bind items together. Whether we use it in the office, at school, or in the home, we all use tape at some point in a given month. For most of us, our tape is dispensed by pulling it from the small plastic dispenser included when we purchased the tape. But for those with a need for added convenience, a separate desk top dispenser can be purchased to make the task that much simpler. One tape dispensing device that I use is the Scotch C- 38 Tape Dispenser, a solid black mechanical tool for Scotch- style tape.

Office Supply Commentary:

Scotch C-38 Tape Dispenser is nice for many reasons. It can be operated (usually) with only one hand, making it more convenient than ordinary dispensers that require one hand to hold them and another to tear the tape. As long as you don't pull too quickly, you should have no problem tearing off just the right amount of tape with one hand. Tear too quickly, and the unit is likely to slide across your desk a little bit. I found that, out of habit, I often used both hands when I was first introduced to this dispenser. Now, I feel confident enough that I let one hand do the work when I need some tape.

What helps keep this unit in place on your desk when you pull the tape are the pads on the bottom and the fact that the inside is weighed down with sand. The pads on the bottom are made from a material that is rubber- like but that also contains cloth and possibly other materials. These pads help to hold the unit in place on a smooth desktop. It will still move if you pull the tape too quickly but as long as you are gentle, there should be no problem keeping the unit from sliding around. The other reason the device doesn't move is because it is filled with sand (I assume it is sand- I wouldn't know for certain unless I broke the unit open with a hammer). Why the company chose to use sand isn't certain, but I'm sure cost was a factor. Solid metal would have also done the trick and it would have eliminated the sound of shaking sand (it isn't packed tightly- you can shake it and hear the sand granules) when you move the device around. But solid metal would also cost more, so this is reason enough to use material like sand.

Scotch recommends, of course, that you refill using only rolls of Scotch brand tape. You can really use any brand you want, but you need to check the measurements first to make sure the roll of tape will fit inside the dispenser. The tape itself cannot be more than three- quarters inches (2 cm) in width and the roll itself cannot be very large or it will not fit. If you're in doubt, the best thing to do is look for the rolls of Scotch tape in the store that you know will fit the dispenser (based on past experiences) then look at the less expensive brands and find one with the same dimensions. This will save you some money and the tape will more than likely be just as good as the Scotch brand.

Bottom Line Viewpoint:

Overall, this tape dispenser is a nice addition to the school or business office. It adds convenience, saves time, and offers a more attractive way to dispense tape as you need it. Most home users will consider it a waste of money and if you don't use tape very much, it probably is a waste of your hard- earned cash. But for others, the few dollars required to purchase this device is money well spent. It makes tape dispensing easy with single- hand operation that delivers the goods without much movement and with little fuss.