another expensive lesson
 

I bought the Tru Sharp blade sharpener and what a big mistake. Now back to buying blades so my questions is, does anyone buy blades from Harbor Freight? I see a 2 pack for $1.99, not sure of shipping but I could buy 10 packs at that price. All I found there was a 45m rotary blade for a specific carpet cutter but says most all other rotary cutter. Any info would be of help. I go through lots of blades cause my eyes are bad and I hit my templates quite frequently. Have so much to finish in such a short time before Christmas.
Thanks

I'd be interested in reports on their blades. Will be watching this thread.

go to the "Search Box" at the top right side of this page and type in "Harbor Freight Blades" and about 100 posts will pop up for you to read -= some good and some bad.

I have never believed that the Harbor Freight blades are as good as those made specifically for quilters. Some quilters like them, but others have complained about them being relatively dull and/or inconsistent in quality. For someone with poor vision, I'm not sure they are a good option because you may have to press harder to cut.

What I have done in the past is bought in bulk from eBay. There are some "generic" blades there that are very inexpensive, but the ones I have opted for are the name-brand Olfa blades.

Here is an example of the "generic" blades on eBay (10 blades for $8.45, free shipping):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-45MM-ROTA...item1c3ce898d0

Here is an example of the "lot" size I usually buy on eBay (15 blades for $30, free shipping):
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-3-15-OLF...item51c3cbffc1

Edit: I just realized that at least the second example above is still in the bidding process. What I usually do is click on "buy it now" to compare prices. I used to be able to get large lots of Olfa brand blades for about $1.50 each, but now they are running about $3 each.

I was using harbor freight blades for a while but have switched back to name brand. The quality of the blades varied so much that it just became easier to know I had a good blade when it was put into the cutter. Better blades ~ less frustration won out over saving money.

Sorry to hear about the Tru Sharp. I have been looking at that sharpener for quite a while but didn't want to spend that much money. I was afraid it was too good to be true. As for Harbor Freight, I have never tried the blades, but again, I would be leary about something so cheap. I watch JoAnn's ads and when they have the Olfa blades at 50% off that's when I buy, and it that sale coincides with one of their coupons that gives you an addl. percentage off your entire order, which includes sale items, so much the better.

I have used the Harbor freight blades for years now, and have never had a problem. I think their blades are sharper.

I buy brand names at JoAnn's when they have discount coupons, sometimes 1/2 off plus free shipping with $30 purchase and for me that is not too much to buy.

Why not buy 1or2 and try them , ie small outlay. I purchased some cheap blades in UK and they would not fit my rotary cutters. Size was correct it was the hole in the centre which was too small. Luckily I had only purchased one pack of 5 but they did fit a friends cutter.
Good luck I know the feeling of those nicks. Is there a handy man near with a sharpener for knives who can sharpen or remove nicks. I collected a pack ie 10 and took them to my cousin who as he does wood turning understood my problem and removed my nicks for free. Normally wouldn't ask I was working mainly one handed which was causing the problem.

I don't understand the frustration with TruCut's sharpener. As soon as a blade starts missing spots when I'm cutting I put it in my sharpener for 30 seconds on a side and go back to cutting. My rotary cutter then acts like I have put in a new blade. Have you tried keeping your stones oiled with a drop of oil before sharpening? My blades last a long time with frequent sharpening.

I bought a lot of H. F. blades when I went to Az . What a mistake I do not like them they were hard on my cutting mat

Visit the website of (LP Sharp). They are a company where you can send them your old/dull blades and they will send you new/sharp blades at a very discounted price. I have had good customer service with them and first started doing business with them almost 10 years ago. Also it solves that (age old) problem with what to do with those old blades.

I also buy from the same ebay seller, and have been very pleased. I got the 10 blade pack to check the quality first. My cousin & I went in and bought their 100 blade bundle. It was less than a dollar a blade. Tried harbor freight and the quality was spotty. Some were very good, some didn't even cut.

Good info. I bought one too but I need to test it out.
Sandy

I also have a TruSharp and quite like it. It does have a learning curve tho. I first tried it on a dull nicked discarded blade and was not pleased with the first result. But after re reading the directions and re positioning the little sharpening stones, I got an excellent result--considering what I started with.

I have ordered from Walmart online (US site--DH was travelling and did an instore pick up for me) and that worked out to just over $3 a blade. Shall check out the Ebay site too.

I too use the Harbor Freight blades. While they are fine when they are new, I have noticed that they do not stay as sharp as long as the pricey ones. That being said ... I can but a lot of HF blades for the price of an Olfa blade. I also have one of those hand held sharpeners that I bought at JoAnns that extends their life a bit longer.

I have always bought my rotary blades with a 50% off coupon at JAF, Never have had a bad blade from them.

Like Prism99, I buy Olfa blades in packs of 5 or 10 on EBay and have been happy with them.

I'm like many people here - tried Harbor Freight and the blades fit fine, but all of the ones I bought (2 pkg, so 4 blades) were horrible. 3 were completely dull and one was sharp in spots, so it'd cut dashed lines only. So I'm done with those! I also prefer 60mm blades and HF are the 45's.

I buy blades at Joann's w/coupons; or sometimes I find okay prices on Amazon or at quilt shows/expos. Blades are something I'm keeping a constant eye out for and when I find a good deal I stock up.

My philosophy is that life is too short to waste on things like dull blades. Plus I just love how slick and smooth a fresh blade cuts, it's very satisfying.

I use them all the time. You can't beat the price. Everyone now and then I get a defective one but for the price that is OK with me.

I've used the HF blades with mixed success. Some are sharp and stay that way for quite some time and some are duds right out of the package. I prefer 60mm blades, so have purchased from E-Bay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/231230080631...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
The same seller also has the 45mm blades for a good price. So far I've only used one of the blades, but it seems to be holding up well. And when it gets dull I'll use the TueCut sharpener I have to extend the life.

Maybe I got a bad sharpener. I did exactly as you say. and took the edge completely off and would not even cut paper. It is trash as far as I am concerned and will send them my review. I will just continue to buy blades and trying some off the wall cheap ones that will be here Monday. Harbor Freight won't deliver to a PO Box so have to find out if they use UPS or USPS. If it is postal service then I won't use them

The blade sharpener will not take out nicks in blades, only sharpen a dull blade. And remember if you sharpen a sharp blade it will never get dull. I think the date on my last blade change was sometime last year. I sharpen it right before cutting a lot of fabric and sometimes will stop and sharpen it if I'm cutting a lot. Rotary blades from HF are hit and miss in fabric rotary cutters. Some okay, some crappy. If used in the cutter made for carpet and used to cut carpet they work just fine like they are suppose to.

I have the Tru sharperner and love it. Haven't bought new blades in over a year, I just do as the above quilter stated she did and its like a new blade.

Or you could order a 10 pack of Olfa brand (45mm) blades fro Handcocks of Paducah for $33-34.
They are the *right* blades for your cutter and mats, last appropriately long, and are shipped in a little plastic carrier where they can retain their lightly oiled state until they are used. Been using them for years.

Jan in VA

Didn't really like them.

I use these blades. Once in a while there is a dud and you need to toss it but overall a really good deal. I use them in all different kinds of rotary blade cutters.

I didn't have any luck with the Harbor Freight blades. First pack I opened had two bad blades and the 2nd pack had another. I gave up at that point. I just buy the fiskars or olfa blades when I have a coupon. I've read a lot of negative reviews about that sharpener. I was thinking about getting one until I saw those (I think at Nancy's Notions).

I tend to find the best deals on Amazon. Then again, I have a 28mm rotary cutter. I get them (including shipping) for 5 for $11. They are Olfa brand blades. Tried an off-brand once & they got bent before they dulled. Very frustrating.

I will let you know. I have bought the carpet blades from H.Feight. I was ok with them at 1st. But after useing them I eventually got disappointed. I would say buy 1 pkg. And check them out. I have a lady friend, who buy's them on occassion. And likes them.

a lot of us here use the blades from Harbor Freight. Not always really sharp but a darned sight cheaper.

I didn't have great results with my Tru Sharpener either nor with Harbor Freight blades. I buy my Olfa blades from Walmart, five 45mm for around $18.00. I buy in bulk from Ebay sometimes also.

I agree that you should buy a pack from Harbor Freight and try them out for yourself to see if they will work for you.

I buy mine from Harbor Freight,sometimes good, sometimes bad ones but for the price...last ones I bought on the package it says "Ideal for cutting Carpet or Quilts" Thought that was funny.

They did not work in my rotary cutter very well. I would buy a pack and try them out, some say they work great for them. I would have loved them to work, they are very reasonable in price.

My feelings exactly! I purchased several packages twice from them and threw them all away. Couldn't get a one to work.

I tried them, and I think they are horrible, will never buy again. In this instance, you get what you pay for!

I think it is strictly a matter of just personal preference. I have been buying the Harbor Freight blades before they became so popular and they had a run on them, and have had no trouble with them. I would recommend that you purchase pkg., and try them, then you could decide what you want.My DH goes to HB every time we are in the town where they have a store, which is where we must go for our doctors. I have purchased several things there that I use for quilting. Two things that truly like are the 48" metal ruler that I use when cutting my binding strips or any other long piece of fabric, and the ruler suction cup holder-$7.00 vs. $15.00 or more and both of these work great. I really like their yellow and grey knit gloves that are rubberized in the finger and palm area, they are terrific for yard work, and are about $1.99 a pair different sizes also. I haven't tried them for quilting. The price is right on many of their things and they do carry many brand name items. As I said before, a matter of preference.

I did not see anyone respond about Martelli rotary blades. When Martelli has a half-price sale on blades, I purchase the largest pack offered. Does anyone else buy blades from Martelli? I have seriously thought about purchasing the Tru Sharp blade sharpener, but after reading the reviews here, I'm skeptical as to whether it is worth it.

I bought blades one time from Harbor Freight. A great disappointment they were all very dull. I was told I should take them back but I live over 60 miles from the nearest store so not very practical. I would stick to good blades and learn not to nick them. A good blade will last through more than one quilt.

I do not like Harbor Freight's blades. They just did not cut good for me at all. :thumbdown: