Abstract: A rotary knife having an annular blade, a split blade housing for supporting the blade for rotation, a handle assembly including a head member for supporting the split blade housing, and a clamping assembly including a clamp body for clamping the split blade housing to the head member. A portion of the split blade housing is provided with an area of scoring along a bearing surface that bears against the clamp body. Similarly, the clamp body is provided with an area of scoring along a bearing surface that bears against the blade housing bearing surface. The areas of scoring coact to inhibit movement of one end of the split blade housing with respect to a second end of the split blade housing when the split blade housing is clamped to the head member.

Abstract: Retainer element for releasably inhibiting movement of a restraining clip along a clinched blade end of a staple used to bind one or more pieces of sheet material. The element is wedge-shaped, inexpensively formed and inserted between the clinched blade end and a yoke or between the blade end and its restraining clip to frictionally prevent movement of the clip during transport and storage of the bound sheets.