When you apply force to the open end of the stapler, it closes at the hinge and forces the load, the staples, into the paper. The fulcrum of first-class levers, such as the see-saw, is located between the effort and the load. The effort between the fulcrum and the load is present in third-class levers... The load is the part of the stapler that closes when you push down on it. The fulcrum of a stapler is located where the handle meets the body of the stapler. It can be found by looking at the drawing below: there are two holes near the top of the stapler's body. One hole is for the thumb screw that holds the body on, and the other is for the pivot point for the closing mechanism. Now, if you pull back the head of the stapler (where the load is located) you will see that there is another hole directly above the first one. This is where the handle goes through so that you can close the stapler. Without the handle attached, the stapler would still work but could not be used with one hand. The second hole is where the fulcrum is located... The handle is like a second arm helping to close the stapler. Also, note that right above the second hole is the trigger. When you pull this button it releases the staple load inside the head of the stapler.