What is the best rotary cutting mat on the market?
 

Looking to replace my Olfa cutting mats that I have had over ten years. I would like to get your feedback on which mats you like best and why. I am looking at an 18X 24" size.
Jovi

Olfa is my favorite, really don't like the pink ones (whatever brand they are). Ten years of use I think makes for a good quality cutting mat.

I like Olfa.

I too like Olfa the best. I do have one bigger which is not an Olfa and I do use it once in a while, but it's not self healing and my cutter blades seem to dull faster on it....

hands down...Olfa. for sure. I am wanting a rotating board. saving my pennies for that.

the (off=brand) mats may work well and be (someone's) favorite when they first get it- but they do not hold up well-and certainly would not last the 10 years your olfa lasted(more like 2-3 years)
you have the answer to your own question- the mat that is best is the mat that you personally like- and holds up- is worth the $$ it costs.

I have never had anything but Olfa, and I love it!

i have 3 olfa's in different sizes. i wouldn't have any other brand.

Olfa for me too. I have had great luck with them. I bought another brand (less expensive) and thought it was okay but didn't last.

The Martelli Mat

I love everything Martelli has. And I have had all of them a number of times as I teach and love Qing. Martelli is better quality hands down if you want accurate really self healing goods that last. Plus their rotary cutters....ahhhh!

A hard surface cutting mat is the best for long life and best for a rotary blade. June Taylor is a hard surface mat. The self healing mat the blade cuts into the mat, thus the self healing part. I think most all the name brand mats are fine, it's a matter of cutting preference. I had a new Olfa and it started peeling. Olfa replaced it but not without being kinda snippy about it. Said I cut in one place too much. It was brand new and it was peeling all over not in one spot. Another guild member had the same problem with her new Olfa mat. Must have been a bad batch. The new one they sent is fine.

Olfa or Martelli would be my choice.

Olfa for me, too. I just replaced my 24 x 36 mat after 11 years of use. They are pretty expensive but using a coupon at Joann's helps. Even though I usually get aggravated when I try to use coupons at Joann's, they do help. There is usually some reason why you can't use the coupon you thought you could use. I had a 50% off, but they were on sale for 40% off so I couldn't use it, and since I had gone out of my way to go by there and get it, grrrrrr. (but I digress) Go for the Olfa.

Probably either the Gingher mat or the Martelli mat. If you've only ever used one thing, how can you compare?

I love my self healing OLFA. I can just wash it, and go over it with my mat smoother. Good as new

I have olfa and june tailor, I like my june tailor. I think it is just a personal preference

I love my martelli mat. I had a friskar's tri-fold for many years and loved the markings on it (orange on grey), but when it broke, I couldn't find another one like it.

I agree the Martelli Mat is the best one around, it is also about double the price of the Olfa. I have one I have had for 8 years and it doesn't even look like it has been used. I also use the Martelli rotary cutter. Don't know if there is a connection but I really like mine.

My first large Olfa mat I used for twelve years....very good value. I have a small Martelli mat I use for classes, but was triple the cost of the Olfa size.

Olfa, no ifs, ands or buts.

I have never heard of these I will have to check them out.

I have a Fiskars here at home, but we use Olfas at the LQS where I work. I like them both...

UCHIDA translucent cutting mat. I like the stiffness and the markings every mm. The fumes that come off of the Olfa mats give me a headache.

Olfa, but I have not tried the Martelli Mat.

You asked, I'll give you my two cents...
I LOVE my creative marks cutting mat, its 3x as thick as those cheap olfa mats!
www.jerrysartarama.com 23x35 is like 44.00$, but sew worth it! it seems to
heal better than olfa does, happy hunting!
katz

I need a new mat. Looked on line for the price of the Martelli - WOW! I'll replace mine with another Olfa.

Ruby, My thoughts, exactly! The two smaller Olfas I have are great & I need to replace my large one. Overstock.com has the best price & shipping is a flat 2.95. A good deal IMO. :-)

Can you tell me where I could buy these mats?

Ditto......love mine

My Olfa is 12 years old, gets lots of use and still works great. I have the two Olfa rotating mats and enjoy using them.

Umm.....my MIL and I have had our Olfa mats for 25+ years. One of my DILs has that one now and I have a 24"x36" in my sewing room. None of mine have marks in them. I didn't like the red ones, whatever brand they are. I felt like fabric slid too much on them.

I wish I could find another Olfa ruler like the one I bought with the mat but 36" long. I truly don't intend to ever replace my mats. I assumed they were a once in a life time purchase.