From Don-isewman--A ??? for anyone/everyone
 

Does any one have a rotary blade sharpener. And also, do you like it. And would you recommend a person to buy on. And what brand would you recommend. I've debateing to get one. I found one on ebay ebay for $40.00. If I decide to get 1, I want a good one. Any info will help me with my decision. THANKS EVERONE for any info. Don-isewman

I have the TruCut and only used it once or twice. I didn't find it to mesure up to the hype. It doesn't take care of nicks and blade doesn't sharp like new. For 45mm I get the Harbor Freight. My blades seem to last a long time so I don't find the sharpeners worth the $$. If an individual is selling one on ebay I would assume they didn't find it useful or worth the $$.

I also have the TruCut and it is ok, but if the blade is nicked, it won't work. I use my re-sharpened blades to trim blocks, but prefer a new blade for cutting pieces. I used a 50% coupon at Joann's a few years ago and it was less than $20. I have probably gotten that much use out of it.

I havethe cheaper Tri-Sharp
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_3hpkFU3hD0...1600/blade.jpg

But the truth is I only use it when I remember I have it and can dig it out of the quilt-related junk drawer

I buy the Olfa rotary blades in quantity on eBay, so my cost per blade is really low (usually ~$1).

I know how to cut well, almost never nick the blade, and so if it gets dull, I just toss it and put in a new one.

I do the same as MTS -- buy in bulk on eBay. Seems as if I don't have to change blades too often, so $40 worth of blades lasts me a *long* time (and it's a lot more convenient than running a sharpener, which I think involves oil).

I have the tri-sharp in my junk drawer too - just taking up space as it never really worked for me. I use blades from freight harbor which work well in my olfa cutter and they cost me on sale about $2 for two blades so even if I go through them a little quicker I'm still saving quite a bit.

I have the True Cut. It won't fix nicks, nothing will. If you use it on a blade that is just starting to get dull, it does work.
I've had a bit longer use from 45mm blades.

I've bought two and neither work very well. The Tri-sharp with the sandpaper rings and the centre piece to twist was the cheaper and better of the two. The Orbitol sharpener was almost $40 and was next to useless. Neither of them would sharpen a blade enough to make it worthwhile. I would rather stock up on blades when they are on sale because at least new ones usually work.

I gave up on trying blade sharpeners I have tried several . Nothing cuts like a new blade.

quilt out loud had a ruler that one edge sharpens rotary blades. I am looking but have not found it.
the sharpeners don't work very well in my experience.

the sullivans The cutting edge ruler. has anyone tried this?

Hi, I've used the Sullivans cutting edge ruler for about a year now. It's just a 6" square, so I only use it for small trims. I really don't know whether it has made much difference, but since I needed a small square ruler and this one was reduced, I've given it a try. I feel that at least I am trying to keep my blade sharp! and it certainly doesn't do any harm.

I have found the cheap ones with the sandpaper rings works pretty good. Seems some of my fiskar blades last a long time, some not very long at all.

I also have the TruCut. It was recommended by Bonnie Hunter. A gift from DDIL. I use it a lot to prevent dulling. (Take my blade out of my cutter and sharpen it during a project). I really like it. Of course, it won't fix nicks... I've been really happy with it as everyone knew my cutter because it was the dullest in the room!!!

Linda in Missouri

Hubby gave me one for Christmas and it totally sucked. I returned it. I can't remember what brand it was. I'll never buy another one, will stick to purchasing new blades.

Missouri Star Quilt Co. is where I bought mine. Can't say that it helped much.

I have tried different sharpeners over the years and was always disappointed. Then DH saw this one on
Amazon and talked me into trying this out with the idea I could always return it. It is True Sharp electric rotary blade sharpener. It finally turned out to be a keeper. There are two stones...I always do mine with the coarse stone first and then finish off with the other stone. I use a timer that counts off in seconds for accuracy. Also I discovered at the same time it does make a difference as to what rotary cutting mat you use. The white ones from Joann Fabrics do wear out the blades fast. Switched to a much smoother mat (got the Big Mat from sewingemporium.com) and discovered I don't have to sharpen my blades as often. No regrets in getting these tow items. Good luck, Don!

I have th tri sharp sharpener with the sand paper rings and you turn it by hand. It works ok but not as well as putting in a new blade. Might help if I used it more but I keep it in a drawer and don't even think to get it out very often.

I am waiting for some one to take their old rotary blades and paint them like they do the saw blades.

i have a tru-cut--i do not use it! it seems more dangerous than anything else in my sewing room i've ever tried to do- you really have to handle the blade-alot...and it's not easy-once you sharpen it again you are handling that blade trying to get it off the sharpener-then reloaded onto your cutter for half a dozen good cuts---they do not seem to (hold an edge) very long- i would rather spend the $$ on good quality blades that tend to hold up for a good length of time than risk stitches for a few more good cuts.
i don't remember the site right now- but someone on here posted a site where you can send in your used/dull blades and receive new replacement blades for a very low price...send in 10 blades, receive 10 blades- for only about $5...i will see if i can find the post- that seems like a much better way to go than spending money on a sharpener.

found it....check out: LPSharp. com---they specialize in rotory cutter blades- and have a (trade in) program where you can send in your old, dull, used blades and receive new blades in return for much less than buying them in the usual markets. good quality blades that will hold up.

I bought one that you run you rotary cutter through. It does sharpen the blade, but it doesn't last. I prefer to use new blades and will buy them when on sell.

I have a Dritz Dual Rotary Blade Sharpener that I got at Joanns several years ago and it works great for me, but others don't like it. Has two sides, one for smoothing the blade and flip it over to sharpening. A drip of sewing machine oil on it makes it work even better. It wasn't very expensive either.

Rotary Blade Sharpener
 

All the research I have done on this subject indicates that these do not work very well and are a waste of money. Here is a method I found that may be worth a try.

Fold a piece of tin foil into a multi layered square. Run your cutting blade though it numerous times. Test cut on fabric scraps to determine sharpness. Keep cutting through the tin foil until you are satisfied with the sharpness.

Cheers !

I bought one of the cheapie ones at Joann's that uses sandpaper. It does a so-so job. If you have a friend that is big into tools and woodworking, they may have a grinding wheel or something that is either more cost effective ... or they might even sharpen them for you.

I use Try Sharp and have used it to my satisfaction for more than 10 years.Just remember to buy the size for the blade you use most frequently It is not adaptable to different sized blades.

Sorry to agree with everyone. I have had them all...even the electric one...none work that well. I think the one you just run it through a few times, back and forth, helps the most, IF you do it after each project. The electric one made my blades worse. Now I have a friend who says they make hers sharp. I was so irritated by the way they ruined my blades that I threw it in the garbage. $60.00 down the tube...that REALLY irritated me. I buy on Ebay, make sure they are OLFA and change them often...like many more here.

I use a Fiskars cutter -- do you know whether Olfa blades work okay in that?

Harbor Freight carpet rotary blade at 2 for $1.98 is pretty hard to beat. I ordered 20 packs 2 years ago, and I'm still a long way from using all of them.

I have one I picked up a joann's a few years ago..It works fine for me..I can use the blade a while longer before buying more...I can't remember the brand name but joann's has them in stock all the time...

I take mine to a local knife shop that actually makes knives and he sharpens them for me at a $1 a piece.

I have the Tru Cut sharpener. I do the required 30sec on one side, then flip it over, 30 sec on the other, then flip it back for a further 30 sec. The blade is so sharp it will slice through wood. I always keep it nice and sharp, saves a lot of time than messing around with a dull blade. I never save a blade with a nick in it, it will never cut properly again.

I have the Tri-Sharp and have used it for at least a decade. I love it and when my blades have been sharpened several times and get old, I transfer them to paper cutting function. I recommend the Tri-sharp; I don't buy blades very often.

Make several cuts on aluminum foil. That's a cheeper method of sharpening your cutter

I love my Tru-Cut sharpener. I ordered mine online from them and bought the more expensive model. I have cut my blade purchases in half and never have to cut with a dull blade. I'm just very careful handling the naked blades.

I have not found the sharpeners to be worth the trip to the store to buy them, never mind the ridiculous amount of money they cost. I have tried 2 of my own and one of a friend, and none were in any way satisfactory.

I have one. Actually 2, because I mislaid the first. It works quite well when DH uses it and hardly at all when I do. The difference, I suspect, is that he puts more muscle behind it. He prefers that I buy the generic from jhittle.com