Has anyone 'oiled' their rotary blades with machine oil? I read recently that they need this maintenance occasionaly.

I've never heard of that. I'm going to check into it.

I bought a few blades from Harbor Freight but they didn't seem to last very long. I switched back to Fiskars and haven't had any problems. Before Christmas our Hancock's store had the 5 pack for about $13.00. Sounds like a lot, but before the sale price they were $27.00. The one I put in before Christmas is still going strong.

Martelli blades DO come in a 5 pack.................If you go to their web store on line, and sign up, they have a sale a few times a year where your entire order is 50% off.............I LOVE their blades. They last and last. I stock up on them when the sale hits on that site......

I agree it may be the mat. My Olfa blades get dull as I have the plastic cutting mat from Joann's and not the nice Olfa Self-Healing mat. I think the blades are weaker now than two years ago when I started sewing, I had two Olfa blades BREAK! on me! They were barely used and I was just cutting through one layer, no pins! That was scary.

I love their blades too! I have their cutting board too (purchased at an estate sale for $25) and it is smooth as glass!

I just turned my mat over because I have grooves in my mat, and it's only a couple years old. But I seem to use the same area, so it could be the mat as well.

I use Harbor Freights works great for me and a lot of local quilters I know. I thought the others were not lasting as long either, so I switched. Maybe it's because I don't cringe at the check out when I buy them!

I went to the Martelli site and watched the guy cut through 20 or more layers, with ease. I ordered the right handed cutter and 5 blades. The guy said he has had people tell him they have had their cutter for around 3 years and it's still going strong. He also said the way you hold a regular cutter also tends to dull the blade. He said nicking the blade is not the problem, it is the angle you hold the cutter that bends the blade, which you can't really see, but the bend misses the fabric and leaves strings behind on the cut. I will let you know ! Syl

I find my blades last longer on the new mat I bought at the sew/quilt expo here last summer. It is called Big Mat and it actually comes with a 5-year warranty. It is also made in USA. The surface is extra smooth. www.sewingemporium.com.