Could my cutting mats make my blades dull? I have a blue June Tailor and a green Olfa. It doesn't seem to matter which one I use. I have to make 3 passes to cut even with a new blade.

what kind of blades are you using? Also make sure you didnt put 2 blades in by mistake. This happened to me once

If your mats are very used, especially in one spot, that tends to dull blades.

The surface under your mats has a big impact too.

Mats have only been used on 2 projects. I have an Olfa and a Fiskar with the big blade. I only have 1 blade in each. Its a puzzle. My mats are on my granite counter top.

I find that if I cut with the blade at an angle it doesn't cut as well. It needs to the pretty straight up.
Sue

Where did you buy your Olfa mat?

Does it need to be cleaned?

Jan in VA

Olfa came from JoAnns. I do not know how to clean other than with a damp cloth. Is there a better way?

Check to make sure that your blades are correctly installed in your cutter and that when you cut, your cutter is really perpendicular to your mat and not slanted. the fact that it is happening on both mats makes me wonderit the problem is with your blades or cutting method.

You can lay them in the bath in warm water and a little gentle detergent then scrub gently with a soft brush. Dry flat on a towel. I can't imagine why your blades aren't working if they're a quality brand and little used. A new blade should cut through several layers of fabric no trouble. I do a lot of stack n whack and cut 8 layers easily. Check the blade is in right and that you are holding it as vertically as possible. Granite is a hard surface - my mats are on a wooden table, but I can't imagine that the surface would dull the blades through a mat that quickly. :shock: Sorry, not much help am I? :roll: :-D