I can use any blades in any of my cutters, Olfa, Fiskars, and I think I have an off brand. I finally figured out why some places I cut are better than others. It has nothing to do with the blade (although a sharp one helps) or the mat or the combination of mat and blade. Speaking only for me, it has to do with the kind of table. I have one that sort of "gives" in the middle when I exert any pressure on the cutter. It always happens in the same place, so I move cutting places and it is better. Go figure. The surface the mat is on really does count!!