Thanks, dunster. The specific problem I have right now is not carpal tunnel syndrome, but rather deterioration of the basal thumb joint due to arthritis. The surgery to correct the joint is very different than surgery for carpal tunnel and, as far as I can tell, much more radical because it involves reconstructing the joint, replacing the joint, or shaving the bone ends and inserting a ball.
That is the surgery I am hoping to avoid.
Thanks for all the comments about the Martelli cutter. I'm especially relieved to know it works well with the Stripology mat.
On a different note, does anyone know how to get on Martelli's email list for sales notification? The only link I found for that does not work.