Scotch Handheld Packing Tape Dispenser Review

 If you have ever needed to tape-up boxes for mailing, moving, or just for storage, you know how fast you can go through boxing tape. Since I am planning to move soon, and am currently taping up dozens of boxes, and opted to buy a Scotch Handheld Packing Tape Dispenser. This saves a lot of money in the long run, but did not solve all my boxing problems. 

One big benefit of this box tape dispenser is that it makes it easier to tape-up large quantities of boxes for shipping.  It uses 2'' wide sealing tape which applies a nice, wide swath of tape around the box. Once you get the tape started, you just pull the taping gun across the top of the box, down the side, then point the dispenser downward so a blade can cut the tape. This should keep the boxes sealed for shipping. 

Another benefit of buying a full-sized taping dispenser is that the larger 2'' rolls of tape are cheaper (especially when bought in 3-packs) than the small disposable box tape dispensers.  I also like the fact the Handheld Packing Tape Dispenser is fairly durable since part of it is made of metal. 

The drawback of this boxing tape dispenser is the cutting blade. The blade, which is quite sharp, is recessed until you push down a plastic shield that is affixed to the top of the unit. Pushing the tape dispenser against the edge of the box will do the trick, but sometimes I just wanted to run a strip of tape along the edge of the box. When doing that, it's impossible to push-down the shield and cut the tape. I'm sure this is to avoid lawsuits for people who get cut on the sharp blade, but it makes the taping gun less useful. 

Overall I still recommend this Scotch Packing Tape Dispenser. It seems to be durable, is easy to use (even had instructions), and can save money over using the single-use tape dispensers. But the fact that the cutting blade is shielded means I still need to use the smaller, more expensive box tape dispensers when smaller strips of tape are needed on box corners and edges.