A combination punching and binding machine for gang punching a stack of sheets and binding the sheets with a pre-curled plastic "comb-binding" element. The machine has a manually actuated lever which, when operated in one direction actuates the punches, and when operated in the opposite direction, laterally moves a comb upon which the binding element is placed, and then actuates a plurality of hook elements to uncurl the curled splines of the binding element for receiving the punched sheets.