The item is functional but it requires a lot of hand strength to punch through just a couple of notecards. I definitely don't want to use it frequently for this reason.
I use the punch to put holes in documentation I have printed off for my planner. The planner has 7 rings and I don't have an automatic punch for it so this works extremely well for the purpose. I also use it for crafts; it goes through plastic easily. It serves the purposes for which I bought it nicely.