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Cross Cut vs Strip Cut Shredding ExplainedThere are several different decisions to make when choosing the correct shredding machine including the type of shred need, which in turn determines the level of security of the machine. Most shredders can be categorised into four types: Strip Cut, Cross Cut , Micro Cut and Crypto Cut. Strip Cut Shredding
The Strip Cutter is generally seen as the most basic type of shredding system, but can be more than adequate for the less sophisticated user.
A perfect example would be a home user who requires a reasonably low level of security, but is determined to protect information from possible identity theft.
Strip cut, or Spaghetti cut as it is sometimes referred to, is the means of shredding paper or other types of media like credit cards or CD's into long parallel lengths.
The length of the strips will tend to be as long as the type of media that you intend to cut. For example if you put a sheet of A4 paper into your shredder you will be left with approximately 30-50 parallel
strips the length of the A4 sheet. It would be technically possible if you were shredding a continuous computer printout for the length of the shreds to be as long as the continuous sheet.
You can have a choice of how wide the strips are in multiples of about 2mm. The advantage of strip cut over cross cut shredders are that they will tend to be cheaper, as the cutters cost less to produce,
and they will shred more sheets of paper per pass. Cross Cut Shredding
The cutting cylinders not only cut the paper widthways, but also lengthways too.
The results are small particles that look like confetti. Depending on the exact size
chosen you will be left with between 300 to 900 tiny pieces once shredded from a single A4 sheet of paper. Micro Cut Shredding
The cutting cylinders not only cut the paper widthways, but also lengthways too.
The results are small particles that look like confetti. Depending on the exact size
chosen you will be left with between 900 to 1500 tiny pieces once shredded from a single A4 sheet of paper. Crypto Cut Shredding
Crypto cut shredders are usually used by Government or Military installations where the data is extremely sensitive.
These shredders are Din Level 5 or 6 machines that will shred a single piece of paper into between 1500 and 3000 tiny dust like particles.
Some of these machines will also turn CDs and DVDs into dust meaning that none of the data can be recovered. |
It is recommended that the Cutters on most Cross-Cut Shredders are oiled daily to maintain their effectiveness.