How long do your rotary cutters last?

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06-02-2012, 07:21 PM

#31

liont

Senior Member

Join Date: May 2012

Location: USA

Posts: 475

I live by the sea. Mine (Olfa) gets rusty very fast. Brown spots everywhere.

06-04-2017, 02:43 PM

#32

JBeez63

Member

Join Date: Jun 2017

Location: Bowling Green, OH

Posts: 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catherine

I get nicks in mine all the time. i guess i can't cut straight even with a ruler. Mine hits the ruler, so I'm sure that is where they are coming from.

Mine just hit the ground, darn it, and the blade was only two weeks old. Now it's limping over the fabric. SIGH

06-04-2017, 04:50 PM

#33

JBeez63

Member

Join Date: Jun 2017

Location: Bowling Green, OH

Posts: 3

Titanium Blades Now Exist!

Quote:

Originally Posted by quiltmaker101

One day someone will invent a titanium blade that never dulls or chips, but until then...

Your wish has been answered, 10 years later, LOL!

Driffy Rotary Cutter Titanium Blades 5-Pack 45mm

06-04-2017, 08:08 PM

#34

quiltingshorttimer

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2011

Location: kansas

Posts: 6,407

Quote:

Originally Posted by lm wood

I am a new quilter, and am having a terrible time learning to use the rotary cutter. From the comments I am reading, I think I may be cutting against the ruler, this is a no-no - correct? Also, I just bought a "set" from walmart, fiskars I think. Should I invest in a better one, and which is your preference? I appreciate any and all help/comments. thanks

Fiskar's are fine--the cutting mat will not last as long as the Olfa self-healing but I've got both and Fiskar's will do just fine. As far as using your rotary cutters--don't push it against the ruler, instead hold it so it rolls right next to the ruler, with your wrist forming a straight line from elbow through to the rotary cutter--in other words, don't angle your hand down. with your other hand on the ruler, leave your pinkie (or even pinkie and ring finger) off the ruler and on the fabric/mat--this anchors the ruler better than just pressing down on the ruler. If you are finding the blade to skip, check to be sure that you aren't always cutting in the same spot on the mat resulting in cuts, grooves, and snags. if you are moving the fabric around the mat ocassionally and still get skips, your blade probably needs changing.

06-05-2017, 06:49 AM

#35

newbee3

Super Member

Join Date: Aug 2010

Location: Central Iowa

Posts: 2,338

it could be the mat if it is showing signs of wear

06-05-2017, 09:10 AM

#36

AnnieF

Senior Member

Join Date: Mar 2010

Location: Rochester, NY

Posts: 524

You know what the quilting wisdom is: if you cut with your rotary cutter and it leaves those pesky threads attached.....it's time for a new blade.....whether the blade is relatively new or not! My group of friends laugh because a few years ago we all went in and bought a large quantity of blades and split the order up....I think, I paid for 25....but we're all so frugal, that we're cutting and complaining about the uncut threads instead of just changing the stupid dull blade!

06-05-2017, 11:49 AM

#37

MadQuilter

Power Poster

Join Date: Mar 2009

Posts: 15,639

I double-fold my fabric most of the time which means I cut 4 layers at a time and of course, the blade will go dull after a while. I started getting really careful around the ruler. I start about 1/2" up from the end of the ruler, align the blade to the ruler, pull back to cut to the end of the ruler and then roll forward to cut the rest. I found that doing this method kept the blade from getting chipped from the ruler.