Before you specify
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this shredder need oil?
No. The 300.1 S4 uses Kobra's Oil-Free System, so there is no routine lubrication of the cutting knives and no oil to stock. That is a genuine operating-cost difference against the cross-cut C2 and C4 on the same chassis, both of which need cutting-head oil as a consumable. If the machine has been idle for a long time or has ingested adhesive-backed labels, book a service rather than improvising with oil in the throat.
Is P-2 strip cut secure enough for confidential documents?
No, and it is worth being blunt about it. P-2 is the second-lowest level in DIN 66399, intended for internal material where disclosure is embarrassing rather than damaging. A 3.8 mm strip preserves whole lines of text, so reconstruction is laborious but achievable. Use this machine for drafts, superseded printouts and general office paper. For personal data, medical or financial records, use a P-4 or P-5 machine instead.
How does it compare with the 300.1 S5?
The two are the same machine with different strip widths. The S4 cuts 3.8 mm strips at 27 to 29 sheets a pass; the S5 cuts 5.8 mm strips at 30 to 32. Both are P-2, both weigh 38 kg, both use the 600 W continuous-duty motor and the 110-litre cabinet, and both are oil-free at 55 dB(A). Choose the S4 for a finer strip, the S5 if you want the last few sheets of throughput.
Can it shred CDs and credit cards?
Yes. Kobra lists paper, credit cards, chip cards, CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs and floppy disks for this model. Feed hard media one item at a time rather than mixed into a paper stack. Remember that the resulting fragments are still P-2-sized: shredding a disc here destroys it as a playable object, but it is not the level of destruction a classified media policy would require.
How often will the bin need emptying?
More often per sheet than a cross-cut machine, because strip waste is springy and settles poorly. The cabinet is 110 litres, and in a busy office you should expect to empty it once or twice a week. Pressing the waste down before the fill sensor triggers buys real extra capacity. Bags are not supplied with the machine, so order a supply sized for a 110-litre cabinet with your first order.
Is the 300.1 S4 NSA approved?
No. NSA/CSS Specification 02-01 requires a particle no larger than 1 mm x 5 mm and the specific model has to appear on the NSA Evaluated Products List for Paper Shredders. The 300.1 S4 cuts at 3.8 mm strips and is rated P-2, so it does not meet either condition and must not be used to destroy classified national security information. Kobra's models that are on the current EPL include the 300 HS-6 and the 270 TS HS-6, both of which cut 0.8 x 5 mm.
What warranty covers this machine in the US?
We do not publish a US warranty term on this page because Kobra's US warranty is set by the importing distributor rather than printed on the factory datasheet. Kobra's UK distributor publishes two years on the machine and ten years on the cutting blades (parts only) for this chassis, which is a reasonable guide to the factory position but not a US commitment. Ask us for the warranty document that ships with your unit before you order, and we will send the current terms in writing.