Is there any way to sharpen rotary blades instead of buying new ones?

There is a tool out there that cost about $15 that is supposed to sharpen them. I have a friend who swears by them but I have never been able to get mine to work like I would want. They are blue and basically have sandpaper that sharpens the blade. Most people I know don't feel they work well. I did see something else once in a quilt shop. It was about $40 and it looked like it would really work. Sadly, it was during the Shop Hop (which covered Southeastern Idaho, some of Wyoming, and the edges of Utah) and I can't remember for the life of me where it was. I'm hoping I can track it down again next May when the Shop Hop comes back around. I know that's a ways off but if I do find it I will definitely post a picture.

To get more life out of your blade, simply flip it over. It only lasts about half as long but it does extend the life of the blade. Hope this helps!

The older rotary blade sharpeners don't work that great but new one is getting rave reviews. It's the Orbital Rotary Cutter Sharpener. http://www.usasharpeners.com/

Wouldnt that be lovely? I seem to get a dull blade after one quilt.. is that average? I found ebay had some pretty good deals for packages but a 40% off coupon from Joanns works pretty well too. I just hate to run out when you need one, cant afford to buy them often either. Mine is skipping right now and I am trying to hold on for just a couple more weeks (guess what I asked Santa for?)

I have heard that the sharpeners don't work that well. However there is a new blade out that I hear stays super sharp longer. Sorry I can't recall the name of it. When I find out I will post the name and where to purchase them. I'm sure they carry them in most quilt shops. Maybe someone else is familiar with them.

That's the one I saw. I've bookmarked it. Thanks!

No, I don't think that is normal, unless you are making a large quilt with a lot of intricate pieces. I can usually get a few quilts done with the blade before flipping it over and extending the life for another quilt or two. Are you pushing down too hard? Sometimes, especially if the cutting mat has a lot of cuts in it, it will dull the blade faster. If your cutting mat is worn out and you don't want to buy a new one (money's tight around the holidays!) then just flip it over and use the back. Works great and you get twice the life out of your cutting mat, which I happen to love.

I didn't know there was a "new" blade that stays sharp longer. I have found the the blades that Martelli Notions sell for there rotary stay sharp longer than the other brands. However I use all the brands.

i have an orbital sharpener. don't like it at all. the less expensive sandpaper types work better for me.

i buy generic blades in bulk now, so rarely bother to sharpen. i just hate throwing them in the trash. :roll:

What is the cutting surface you are using? It is mostly the cutting surface that determines how fast your blade becomes dull.

I buy my rotary blades in bulk on eBay so they cost much less per blade. IMO, this works better than using a sharpener. I used to use the sandpaper type of sharpener and it did help, but I resented the time it took -- especially if the blade had a nick in it I hadn't seen. Sharpeners cannot remove a nick in the blade.

Where do you buy your blades? I don't put my blades in the trash. I put them a a round metal container and when it's full I can safely trash it.