Kids' creativity, as measured by the most recent Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking scores, has been sliding since 1990, most noticeably among our younger students. Reduced music and arts education is cited as a key factor.
I like to use the 'demolition grade' blades. They ll cut wood, metal, plaster, wire, or pretty much anything you d care to throw at them. They're made from decent carbon steel that will take and hold an edge rather well. When bought in packs of a dozen, they can be had for about a buck each.
Staples are made of either mild steel alloys or aluminium or brass or zinc alloys... Staples are made out of metal or zinc plated steel. They have also been known to be made out of stainless steel (to provide rust proofing). The thickness of the staple depends on its use, be it stapling papers together or being used in construction. Staples are made by mending large pieces of metal together and then being bent into the shape of a staple. Imagine a long piece of thin metal in the shape of an upside down U (the staple shape). A sharp cutter then slices the staple into its appropriate size by moving down the metal (like corn on the cob).