Has anyone else had problems with their Harbor Freight blades that we ALL had to have? I've opened up two different pkgs. and all four blades have skipped when I cut fabric. There's not a nick and I've looked at them closely and can't see where the problem is. I feel bad about having all these blades that may or may not be damaged. How many pkgs. should I open to find a GOOD one? I gave my DM & one of her friends over 20 pkgs. and now feel I should warn them of the possible problem with the blades. I know I went crazy when ordering these(I got 30 pkgs.) and also picked up 16 pkgs. while on vacation in Oct., but have given over half of them away. Should I go ahead and open another pkg. or just bite the bullet(and pay three times as much) and get them at Jo-Ann's (using a coupon of course) and put these blades up for another day,lol!!! I had bought extra with the intention of putting some in a SQA pkg.!!

I'm sorry you're having this problem! I've only been using one HF blade so far, but it's been wonderful! Cuts much easier than my Olfa blades did. I hope this one blade is not an aberration!

I have had no trouble with the Harbor Freight blades. Our local store doesn't carry them any more. Went online to check them out it is costs $8.99 for shipping. Still cheaper, but, wow.

I guess I'll try opening up another pkg. and see what happens.

I get Olfa blades reasonable on ebay-way cheaper than a store

Have used 2 HF blade and had not problem. They seam to last just as long as others.

I have opened one of my 2 packages purchased. The blades seem to be sharper than Olaf, and last longer too. Only problem so far.....rarely in stock at my local HF Store!

Gee, Sorry you are having a problem with them. I still have my first one in the cutter. I think I have had it in there for over a month and have been using it alot.

I bought a rotary cutter and blade from HF last year. The blade would not cut fabric at all.

did you put the blade in your cutter? the cutter that you buy from them are worthless unless you are using them on carpet. I have had wonderful success with mine. there has been a couple of times that it didn't cut the fabric but that was user error not the blade or cutter.

HF blades are all I use now. Haven't had a problem yet.

I've used 1 package and fell in love. It's been so sharp I haven't need to change it... maybe an issue with your mat or how you're cutting or something? So weird when all I've heard is great things :)

I hope you didn't try to use the cutter on fabric. I bought the cutter and Blades as they didn't have just the blades. Opened it up tossed the cutter and am still on my first blade.

Lot of Co quilters here this morning. Where are you?

I've used one and no problems. But it was awfully oily when I got it out and I was pretty nervous wiping it off.

Mine was kind of oily also. I just run it through some scraps and it works great.

My first blade that I put in skipped. I took it back out turned it over and it works just fine now. I am beginning to think the blades go in only one way and you have to try it both ways to see which way is best.

Mary

I thought that too and turned ALL four of them over thinking they only fit in one way, but they still skipped. I did finally open up another pkg. and the blade is FINE. I guess I just got a few bad blades. I was really feeling bad since I've given over half of them away and didn't want to give them (especially my Mom) bad product. I even tried the "bad" blades in my other cutters(since I have four different ones) and they skipped cutting in them too. I'll just dispose of them and use the others. I really CAN'T complain no more than I paid for them. I was just checking to see if I was the only one to have problems. If I continued to have this problem I was going to return them and get my money back. Glad no one else is having any trouble.

I've had brand new olfa blades that skipped a couple of threads.

So - it isn't only HF blades that can be troublesome.

No problems here .

Mine we not skipping a few threads, but at least 1/4" or more. I could live with a few threads, but not this much. At least the third pkg. of blades is GOOD and I'll get rid of the bad ones. Having a blade skip kind of slowed down my cutting. It's all fixed now and feels better,lol! I sure didn't want to pass along any bad product to my SQA or my DM! I guess you get what you pay for, but at the inexpensive price I'm doing pretty good with the ones I still have to use and surely it's enough for a very long time.

Could it be they are not as "precise" since they in theory are manufactured/marketed to slice into carpeting, so a few imperfections wouldn't be noticeable cutting that compared to a few thin layers of fabric?

If the blades are not right, take them back. I would not keep anything that did not work. Maybe the manufacturer is having a problem. They were on back-order for 6 weeks or more.
I am mailing blades to 4 members and hope they are OK. I do not intend to "test" them before I mail them.

June

I have not had any problems either, but then I am only on my first set. Some folks said they accidently put two blades on the cutter and it did not work correctly. Found the problem, removed one of the blades , and it cuts fine.
I have not seen the cutter some of the blades came with, but I would definitely be using my own cutter. I have a Fiskars, ok, several Fiskars.
Good luck.

Mine works wonderfully, and when I wore one side out, I flipped it and started out on the other side. So far, having 2 in at once has been the most common cause of skipping that I've heard about.

I am not sure but I know my cutting mat was the cause of my issues with skipping. I changed the mat with the same HF blades and no issue.

I have also had problems. So far I have only opened one pack and tried the two blades; neither of them cut without skipping! I will try another pack and if they don't do any better, I'll return them to Harbor Freight!

Mine skip.

I used one blade and cut out a whole quilt (large) and the blade is still sharp! I usually went with one blade per quilt, but HF's last longer yet! I am very pleased with them. Edie

Mine work just fine. And I don't feel guilty about changing the blade!

I know HFT will return or exchange if your not happy with your purchase. I bought the blades from them (online) have yet to receive mine instore ones, I did return a suction cup thing that i thought was defective and they gladly exchanged it! If your not happy, take them in and tt them! So far I am happy with the blades but then I am on my first one still!

May try the blades if I can get some locally. I use a Martelli rotary cutter and their replacement blades have a perfect circle in the center with no break in the hole. They last a long time and cut beautifully.

Gosh, I thought it was me! I have used all 3 blades in my first pack and none cut
worth a dime....I went to Walmart and bought a "proper" blade replacement.

Beside, my HF didn't have any more in stock and every time I checked on line they were out of stock also. Too much trouble for me to keep trying to find them at HF. It's cheaper to just go across the street to to get one.

Roxanne

I have not had any problem with the HF blades, seemed very sharp but was oily.

I had a similar problem...and it was not the fault of the blade. It was the fact my cutting board needed care, first with a run over with a Lint Roller and then a light wiping with water, a touch of soap on a sponge, then dried. The board needs regular maintenance. That was news to me. I think the manufacturer has a site with advice.

[quote=dkabasketlady]Has anyone else had problems with their Harbor Freight blades that we ALL had to have? I've opened up two different pkgs. and all four blades have skipped when I cut fabric. There's not a nick and I've looked at them closely and can't see where the problem is. . . . . .

I haven't purchased any blades from Harbor Freight (yet!!) since the store is about an hour away - but I may have a solution to your skipping problem. I thought I needed a new blade for my 60mm cutter and bought one (really pricey even at MaryJo's!!!). The skippuing was still going on so I pondered a bit about this and came up with this thought - - - It might be the cutting mat's fault. We all have a tendency to cut in the same area on the mat - and over time this can create a small worn spot. You might try using a different part of your mat or even the backside if you have one of the green ones (they are double-sided and heal the cuts which others do not do).

I have several brands of mats including the white dfrosty-looking one (from Dritz maybe??). That white one is the pits - blades do not stay very sharp on that one so I don't use it much. I also have a few of the June Tailor mats with a pressing surface on the opposite side - great for taking to classes - still do not heal cuts. I use the green (is it Olfa??) mats at home - have a really big one and then use smaller ones on top so that I can turn the mat for better cutting. So - with all my ramblings - try a different place on your mat and see if that helps. I really want to try out the blades from HF and just forgot to go there when I was in the area a while back.

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

Mine seem to work fine. I do have a 'skip' occasionally, but I had that problem with my other blades. I think it's my board - very old and used. I also noticed the oil when I opened the package, but just wiped it off. - Cynthia

Yeah, I got some, too,and don't think they're as good as Olfa. But much cheaper, and with a bit more pressure, do OK.

The only problem I've had with HF rotary blades is getting them here - they have been back ordered twice.

Mine seem to work fine. I do a lot of paperpiecing and am still on the first HF blade. I am real impressed with them.