I'm hoping to buy a new cutting mat this weekend at Joann's big sale. We can buy 1 regular price item at 1/2 price, and I want to get a really good one...

Which is the best?

I like the Olfa I belive is the brand.

Olfa would be my first choice, fiskars second.

I like Olfa ... but they can have a strong odor if they have not have time to air out.

Olfa gets my vote.

Olfa seems to be the best to me but as stated above, it does have a strong odor when first purchased.

I like Omnigrid, but mine were purchased 10 yrs. ago. I don't think the quality of anything is what it used to be. I think it also helps if the make of your ruler is the same as your cutting mat.

Olfa! Leave it out to destink for a few days!

Olfa self healing! Was lucky no smell!

Olfa definitely. I think they just wear better.

Eh, I'm not too picky. I've had good lucky with my Fiskers mats, and they've been good to me. I like the fact that they're double sided and that they have markings up to 1/8" clearly marked. I'm not sure about Olfa, I've used them at my LQS, but they didn't turn me on. I really think it's a personal preference.

This may sound odd, but I find the green color of the Olfa mats very restful to my eyes. The yellow lines on them are very easy to read, making it easier to line up fabric.

But I haven't tried other brands, so it's really all I know.

I like the fiskers better then the Olfa.

My Olfa mat is probably 15 years old. It is still as good as new. I also have a June Taylor but I don't like it as much, it doesn't lay flat all the time.
Sue

And another vote for Olfa from me. It seems to be very robust - takes lots of abuse from the rotary cutter and just keeps on going.

I've got Fiskars and haven't had any problems with them...had them for at least 10 years.

I think cutting boards and rotary cutters are all 50% off this weekend. You can still use the 10% off your total purchase coupon though.

Great! I hope they still have some there for me on Monday...

just don't buy one of the white ones. they dull your blades.
people buy them to cover their whole cutting tables, but I'll bet they hate them later.

I think the white ones are Dritz brand....I agree, don't buy one of those.

From what I have seen, SELF-HEALING is the most critical thing. I personally wanted blue (not green) and big!

I like the June Tailor Cut and Press. I use both sides equally for each task.

I prefer the Olfa.
Thanks for the tip on the white ones. I wanted one to cover my whole table, but since they were so expensive I hadn't gotten one yet.

Olfa.

I like the Martelli, it last longer

I love Martelli, they are out of Pensacola, Fl. They don't warp from heat or from being rolled. They are wonderful. The best I have ever used and I have been using different ones for about eight years or so.

I bought the large white one from Joann's about 6 weeks ago (big discount). Regularly sells for about $70. Size is 57" wide & 36" deep. The brand is not on the mat, and the box is gone. WONDERFUL MAT! I just love it. I have had several other brands, but this one is the best I have ever used since I started quilting 25 years ago. It comes rolled up in its box, and they stand the box upright in the store. Downside is the space required to use it. It fits my sewing room working space perfectly.

How long did it take to dull your blades? I have had mine about 6 weeks. No dull blades yet, and I have cut a lot of fabric. Just wondering. So far, I just love this mat.

I do know I will not buy a Gingher again. Everytime I make a cut in a piece of fabric a tiny sliver of the cutting mat comes out. I love my Martelli mat. It pleasing to the eye and heals itself right up.

Olfa! I have used the Olfa brand mats for 25 years or more, and love them.

I just bought an elan. The owner of my LQS has been using it for years and I have always noticed how thick it was so when she brought them into the shop they were flying out so fast it took me 4 months to finally catch one in the store. I am hoping for many happy years of cutting without replacing ANOTHER mat.

OK, I have one nobody mentioned so far. IT's a DRITZ and I love it. It has no smell; heals well; and so far has given me no problems. I have had it about 18-24 months now.

I bought an OLFA and let it air out for about 10 days; I brought in the house and layed my fabric on top; I then had to let the fabric air out for 24 hours since it smelled like rubber.

Olfa is a wonderful product but when I returned it to Joann's the girl said and I quote: What is that smell???

I have a smaller one that is a Fiskar and no problems with that but I would never buy another Olfa.

Olfa is the one I use when not cutting on my cutting table as that comes with its own cutting mat, it is white.

I bought mine from an on-line school supply company. It was not only less expensive but the quality is better than the leading brand.

Olfa for me. I got mine in the artist section at Hobby Lobby they are cheaper than if you buy in the quilters section and if you have a 40% off coupon, even better.

I have had no trouble with my Olfa mat and must have been lucky as it did not have a smell at all.

OLFA it is....Fiskars do not heal themselves and are slick...

I have used Olfa for 20 years and have NEVER had one smell...
even the newest one that is still in its box under the sofa I went to see if smelled and NADA>.....

Olfa gets my vote. I've never had anything else and the one I'm currently using is 20+ years old............and I use it LOTS!

Omnigrid.......the green one