---
title: "KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha: Staple-Free Stapler"
canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-harinacs-compact-alpha/"
description: "KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha explained: how it binds about 5 sheets without staples, its 27 × 87 × 53 mm size, materials, Harinacs Press vs Handy, and origin."
category: "Accessories"
type: "Staple-free stapler"
published: 2026-10-20
updated: 2026-10-20
author: "Ellis Penhale"
publisher: "Stationery Times"
sources: 13
products:
  - name: "KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha Stapleless Stapler (SLN-MSH305)"
    brand: "KOKUYO"
    brand_origin: "Japan"
    made_in: "Not stated"
    material: "Recycled polycarbonate body and lever (50% recycled), polycarbonate window, steel lever reinforcement, stainless steel blade"
    released: "2015-09-25"
    price_band: "$$ ($5–20 per item, typical US retail, October 2026)"
    manufacturer: "KOKUYO Co., Ltd."
    model: "SLN-MSH305"
    mpn: "SLN-MSH305DB"
    gtin: "4901480315898"
    url: "https://www.kokuyo.com/stationery/category/stapler-punch/stapler/5637/"
---

# KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha: Staple-Free Stapler

> The KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha (SLN-MSH305) is a palm-size stapler that joins about 5 sheets of copy paper without metal staples. Its stainless steel blade cuts a small 5 × 6.5 mm flap and tucks it through a slit. KOKUYO gives its size as 27 × 87 × 53 mm and its list price as ¥920 (about US$5.80) before tax.

- URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-harinacs-compact-alpha/
- Category: Accessories
- Author: Ellis Penhale
- Published: 2026-10-20
- Updated: 2026-10-20

![KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha in Dark Navy drawn to scale, 87 mm long, 53 mm tall and 27 mm wide, beside five sheets joined by a 5 × 6.5 mm cut flap with no staple](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/kokuyo-harinacs-compact-alpha-16x9.png)

*Palm-size at 87 mm long; each binding is a 5 × 6.5 mm flap (drawn at 1 mm = 3 px).* Original drawing (SVG): https://stationerytimes.com/images/kokuyo-harinacs-compact-alpha-cover.svg. Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

## Product facts

| Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha Stapleless Stapler (SLN-MSH305) | KOKUYO (by KOKUYO Co., Ltd.) | Japan | Not stated | Recycled polycarbonate body and lever (50% recycled), polycarbonate window, steel lever reinforcement, stainless steel blade | 2015-09-25 | $$: $5–20 per item |

- Made in (KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha Stapleless Stapler (SLN-MSH305)): Not stated. KOKUYO's Japanese and English product pages don't state the country. One reseller (Japan With Love) lists the black Transparent Mechanism edition, whose JAN 4901480441450 matches KOKUYO's SLN-MSH305TM-D, as made in China; we found no origin for the standard colors, so check the package. Source: https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/kokuyo-needleless-stapler-harinacs-alpha-black-paper-fastener

## Key takeaways

- KOKUYO rates it for about 5 sheets of 64 g/m² copy paper; thin papers such as thermal paper and carbonless forms lower that.
- It measures 27 × 87 × 53 mm (W × D × H), per KOKUYO's Japanese product page.
- Each binding cuts a 5 × 6.5 mm arrow-shaped flap through the stack and tucks it into a slit, so no metal is left in the paper.
- KOKUYO launched the Harinacs line in December 2009 and the Compact Alpha on September 25, 2015, with a blade that needs about 20% less force than the earlier Compact.
- The body and lever are 50% recycled polycarbonate; KOKUYO's list price is ¥920 (about US$5.80) before tax, or ¥1,000 (about US$6.30) for the 2024 colors.

## What is the KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha?

**It's a palm-size stapler from KOKUYO that joins a few sheets of paper without using metal staples.** In Japanese KOKUYO calls it a 針なしステープラー (hari-nashi, "needle-free" stapler), and Harinacs is the name of its staple-free line.

The Compact Alpha (model SLN-MSH305) is the small 5-sheet model. KOKUYO's press releases say the Harinacs line began in December 2009 with a two-hole model, a palm-size Harinacs Compact followed in February 2012, and the Compact Alpha replaced it on September 25, 2015, at ¥600 (about US$3.80) before tax at the time. In November 2024 KOKUYO said the series had sold more than 8 million units.

## How does a staple-free stapler work?

**The blade cuts a small arrow-shaped flap through the stack and tucks it through a slit, so the paper holds itself together.** KOKUYO says the arrow shape makes the join hard to pull apart, and gives the cut as 5 × 6.5 mm.

Nothing metal is left in the paper, so there are no staples to refill and nothing to separate before recycling. KOKUYO's Japanese chronicle says food companies liked that no staple can end up in food, care facilities that nothing can be swallowed, and pet owners the same. KOKUYO is clear that the hold is weaker than a staple's.

![KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha to scale: side view 87 mm long and 53 mm tall, top view 27 mm wide, and a 5 by 6.5 mm binding cut in a paper corner](https://stationerytimes.com/images/kokuyo-harinacs-compact-alpha-size.svg)

*87 × 53 mm side-on and 27 mm wide, with the 5 × 6.5 mm cut shown enlarged.*

## KOKUYO Harinacs Compact Alpha specs

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | KOKUYO Co., Ltd. (Japan) |
| Model | SLN-MSH305 (color suffix, e.g. DB Dark Navy, PW Pale White) |
| Capacity | About 5 sheets of 64 g/m² copy paper |
| Binding cut | 5 × 6.5 mm |
| Size (W × D × H) | 27 × 87 × 53 mm (1.1 × 3.4 × 2.1 in) |
| Body and lever | Polycarbonate, 50% recycled |
| Window | Polycarbonate |
| Lever reinforcement | Steel |
| Blade | Stainless steel |
| Japanese list price (before tax) | ¥920 (about US$5.80); ¥1,000 (about US$6.30) for Pale White |
| JAN, Dark Navy | 4901480315898 |
| Made in | Not stated |

Specs and list prices are from KOKUYO's Japanese product pages. KOKUYO's November 2024 release listed the renewed colors at ¥920 (about US$5.80), but the current Pale White page shows ¥1,000 (about US$6.30); the Dark Navy page is marked to be discontinued once stock runs out. KOKUYO doesn't publish a weight for this model.

## How many sheets can it hold, and how well?

**KOKUYO rates it for about 5 sheets of 64 g/m² copy paper.** Typical US copy paper such as [Amazon Basics 20 lb](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/amazon-basics-copy-paper/) is heavier, at about 75 g/m², so expect a little less.

KOKUYO warns that the paper type matters: thin or soft papers such as thermal paper and carbonless forms may reduce the sheet count or weaken the hold, and it asks you to test on scrap paper first and not to bind the same spot twice. Flax Pen to Paper suggests binding twice in different places when you need a stronger hold.


## What features does it have?

**KOKUYO lists a see-through window, a lever you can press with a thumb or squeeze, a strap hole and corner markers.**

- **Window:** shows where the cut will land, and opens to clear paper scraps after a misfire.
- **Lever:** works as a thumb press (親指押しとじ) or a full-hand grip (握りとじ).
- **Blade:** KOKUYO says the Compact Alpha's redesigned blade needs about 20% less force than the earlier Harinacs Compact when binding 5 sheets (its own comparison).
- **Strap hole:** for hanging it up or carrying it; Little Craft Place notes no strap is included.
- **Corner markers:** guides for binding at a corner; it binds in one place, so corner or side binding both work.

## How does it compare with other Harinacs models?

**The Compact Alpha cuts a flap; the Harinacs Press crimps without a hole; the Handy 10 cuts more sheets.**

| | Compact Alpha | Harinacs Press | Harinacs Handy 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | SLN-MSH305 | SLN-MPH105 | SLN-MSH110 |
| Method | Cut and tuck | Press (crimp), no hole | Cut and tuck |
| Sheets | About 5 | About 5 | About 10 |
| Size (W × D × H) | 27 × 87 × 53 mm | 34 × 95 × 85 mm | Not checked |
| Launched | 2015 | 2014 | Not checked |
| List price (before tax) | ¥920 (about US$5.80) | ¥1,650 (about US$10) | ¥1,600 (about US$10) |

Figures are from KOKUYO's product pages and its November 2024 release; the Handy model code is from Kakaku Magazine. On June 10, 2026 KOKUYO added a Transparent Mechanism edition of the Compact Alpha (SLN-MSH305TM) with a clear body that shows the parts moving, in White, Black, Red and Green at ¥1,500 (about US$9.50) before tax.

For thicker stacks bound with metal staples, the [Swingline 747](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/swingline-747/) is rated for 30 sheets of 20 lb paper.

For cutting rather than joining, see the [Fiskars Original Orange-handled Scissors](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/fiskars-original-orange-handled-scissors/); for notebooks from the same maker, see the [KOKUYO Campus notebook](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/kokuyo-campus-notebook/).

## Where is the Harinacs Compact Alpha made?

**KOKUYO doesn't state it on its product pages.** One reseller, Japan With Love, lists the black Transparent Mechanism edition (its JAN matches KOKUYO's SLN-MSH305TM-D) as made in China, but we found no country of origin for the standard colors. KOKUYO is a Japanese company; check the package of the one you buy.

## Frequently asked questions

### How many sheets can the Harinacs Compact Alpha staple?

KOKUYO rates it for about 5 sheets of 64 g/m² copy paper. Thin or soft papers such as thermal paper and carbonless forms lower the sheet count or weaken the hold.

### How does a staple-free stapler work?

The Compact Alpha's blade cuts a small arrow-shaped flap through the stack and tucks it through a slit, so the paper holds itself together. No staple or other metal is left behind.

### Is a Harinacs as strong as a normal stapler?

No. KOKUYO says it doesn't have the same holding power as a stapler that uses metal staples, so it suits handouts and notes rather than thick reports.

### Does the Harinacs Compact Alpha leave a hole?

Yes, a small one: it cuts a 5 × 6.5 mm flap. If you want no hole, KOKUYO's Harinacs Press crimps about 5 sheets together instead, leaving a 1.6 × 10 mm pressed area.

### What is the difference between Harinacs Compact Alpha and Harinacs Press?

The Compact Alpha cuts and tucks a flap; the Press (SLN-MPH105), launched in 2014, presses the sheets together without a hole and can be undone by rubbing. The Press is larger at 34 × 95 × 85 mm and lists at ¥1,650 (about US$10) before tax.

### How big is the Harinacs Compact Alpha?

KOKUYO gives 27 × 87 × 53 mm (width × depth × height). It has a strap hole for carrying, though no strap is included.

### When did the Harinacs Compact Alpha come out?

KOKUYO launched it on September 25, 2015, at ¥600 (about US$3.80) before tax at the time. KOKUYO added new colors in December 2024 and a clear Transparent Mechanism edition on June 10, 2026.

### Where is the Harinacs Compact Alpha made?

KOKUYO doesn't state it on its product pages. One reseller lists the black Transparent Mechanism edition as made in China; check the package of the one you buy.

## Sources

- [ハリナックス コンパクトアルファ針なしステープラー ダークネイビー (KOKUYO Japan product page: SLN-MSH305DB, ¥920 before tax, 27 × 87 × 53 mm, 5 × 6.5 mm cut, materials, JAN 4901480315898; marked to end when stock runs out)](https://www.kokuyo.com/stationery/category/stapler-punch/stapler/5637/)
- [ハリナックス コンパクトアルファ針なしステープラー ペールホワイト (KOKUYO Japan product page: SLN-MSH305PW, ¥1,000 before tax, eco package, JAN 4901480396699)](https://www.kokuyo.com/stationery/category/stapler-punch/stapler/13204/)
- [針なしステープラー＜ハリナックス＞（コンパクトアルファ・TM）ブラック (KOKUYO Japan product page: SLN-MSH305TM-D, ¥1,500 before tax, JAN 4901480441450)](https://www.kokuyo.com/stationery/category/stapler-punch/stapler/18458/)
- [ハリナックスプレス 針なしステープラー 青 (KOKUYO Japan product page: SLN-MPH105B, ¥1,650 before tax, 34 × 95 × 85 mm, 1.6 × 10 mm pressed area)](https://www.kokuyo.com/stationery/category/stapler-punch/stapler/8158/)
- [軽い力でスムーズにとじられるハリナックス（コンパクトアルファ）を発売 (KOKUYO news release, September 7, 2015: launch September 25, 2015, about 20% less force, ¥600 before tax, Harinacs since December 2009, Compact since February 2012)](https://www.kokuyo.com/news/release/20150907/)
- [シリーズ累計800万個を突破の「針なしステープラー＜ハリナックス＞」シリーズがカラーリニューアル (KOKUYO news release, November 5, 2024: 8 million sold, Press in 2014, new colors from December 11, 2024, list prices)](https://www.kokuyo.com/news/release/241105st/)
- [魅せる機能美。透き通るボディが美しい「TRANSPARENT MECHANISM」発売 (KOKUYO press release on PR TIMES, June 3, 2026: clear Compact Alpha from June 10, 2026)](https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000001332.000048998.html)
- [ハリナックス (KOKUYO Chronicle: how the staple-free stapler was developed; feedback from food companies, care facilities and pet owners)](https://www.kokuyo.co.jp/chronicle/yowa/harinacs/)
- [価格.comマガジン: 針なしホッチキス比較 (Harinacs launched December 2009; Handy 10-sheet SLN-MSH110 and Press SLN-MPH105)](https://kakakumag.com/houseware/?id=13363)
- [KOKUYO: Harinacs Compact Alpha, Dark Navy SLN-MSH305DB (English product page)](https://www.kokuyo.com/en/stationery/category/stapler-punch/stapler/5637)
- [Flax Pen to Paper: Kokuyo Harinacs Staplefree Stapler Compact Alpha, Green Blue (how it works)](https://www.flaxpentopaper.com/products/kokuyo-harinacs-staplefree-stapler-compact-alpha)
- [Little Craft Place: Kokuyo Harinacs Compact Alpha, Blue Green (strap not included)](https://www.littlecraftplace.com/products/kokuyo-stapleless-stapler-harinacs-compact-alpha-5-sheets-blue-green)
- [Japan With Love: Kokuyo Harinacs Compact Alpha, black (JAN 4901480441450, made in China)](https://japanwithlovestore.com/products/kokuyo-needleless-stapler-harinacs-alpha-black-paper-fastener)