for me, a die cutter works better than the shape cut ruler. seems the ruler always slips. the other thing I think die cutters are great for are curved piecing (apple core, drunkard's path, rob peter etc.) and odd angles like a tumbler. It's kind of the proper tool for the proper job. I cut strips with the die cutter, then sub cut into squares using the ruler. If you can use a ruler and rotary cutter then that's what you should use!