Has anyone used the rotary blade sharpener? Did you like it? Does it work?

I've been wondering the same thing. Since I'm doing more and more
quilting, I seem to go through blades pretty quickly and they aren't
cheap. Would be interested to see if anyone has used the sharpener.

I had one for a while, and it worked ok as long as your blade was just dull, not nicked. I ended up buying a pile of blades on e-bay, and I just replace when needed.

I have one. Mine is wonderful, I just love it - worth every penny. Everytime it gets a little dull I pop it in the sharpener. Mine blade did have a nick the time before last that it needed sharpened, but DH just keep running it around in the sharpener until it was good to go again. The blade I'm currently using is a sharp as the new ones I have on hand, yet has already cut fabric for 5 quilts. (trust me when I say only a sharp blade should do that, don't use it super dull, it's not safe).

My girlfriend loves it and swears by it but I found it to be fairly useless. If you do give it a try, the key is to use it a lot. Don't wait until your cutter begins to dull or it is already too late. Me, I just find it easier to put a new blade in. So you have a vote for and a vote against. LOL. Hope that helps. :lol:

I personally don't think they're worth the price. The blades don't seem to be as sharp or stay as sharp as long. I get my blades through House of Hanson.com. The last time I got them, the Olfa blades were $3.00 each for a pack of 10. They have excellent service and prices. They also don't charge shipping and handling.

I do have a trick I use with my rotary blades. When they become dull, I turn them over and get a lot more use out of them. It works great to extend the life of the blade!

I often thought a blade sharpener would be a great investment, but it seem to be about equally split for and against. For now I'll keep buying new blades.

I do what you do about turning them over...another hint that works well for me...after cleaning the blade and cutter, add sewing machine oil to both sides of the blade and spread evenly, then turn over...works really well...VickiM in Crestview, Fl :)

Wow. Hint after hint to spread my quilting dollars farther. This is the greatest site and you guys are awesome.