Check Availability of Used Equipment
One way to reduce the cost of purchasing a letter opener is to find used or refurbished machinery. Pitney Bowes models tend to be the easiest to find in the used market, with reliable units available for as little as $800. Slitting machines tend to be much more difficult to find on the used market, since the technology is still relatively new.

Avoiding Paper Cuts
Many models offer "feathering" cuts that reduce the likelihood of receiving painful paper cuts when emptying envelopes.

When Testing, Consider Type As Well As Size
In addition to testing units with mixed size mail, try using openers with different materials ranging from regular paper to kraft to Tyvek envelopes.