Ergonomic rotary cutter recommendation?
 

I cut 125 strips yesterday, and the arthritis in my hands is really complaining. A few times the pain was so intense my hand just couldn't push the cutter at all. I have the original style Olfa cutters. Does anyone have personal experience with an ergonomic cutter that would be better for my hands? I see lots of ads, but I would prefer personal experience. I can't continue with what I have now.

Pam

I like the martelli. They have them for both right and left handed people.
https://www.amazon.com/Martelli-Ergo...+rotary+cutter

What I have found works best is to use different cutters in the same cutting 'session'. I cut with a fiskars stick type, then use the martelli, then back to the fiskars. I find that if I don't hold my hand in the exact same position it helps a lot.

Pam, I have the ergonomic cutter - in a drawer. I couldn't get the hang of using it. I totally understand your problem. I just cut a little, then sew a little, and don't get nearly as much done as I'd like. Sounds like the Accuquilt Go would be helpful, especially the electric one. They are expensive, though.

Yikes, you were on a roll. I agree with Mford.....just try to rotate your activity..sew, cut, press. You are probably passionate about quilting, but take breaks...that will ensure that you can continue sewing. We need to remember our backs, wrists, shoulders, etc. My hand/wrist usually falls asleep - so I just get the tingling/numbness if I overuse my hand...but that worries me because there is no control or grip! Take care, take it slower and enjoy the process!

I have the Olfa ergonomic cutter and it's all I can use. You should still
take breaks when cutting. Don't want to cause any permanent injury.
Other things that helps when cutting strips is the Creative Grid Stripology
ruler. I also have the Slidelock rulers. I don't even use wrist bands now.
The Slidelock takes a lot of pressure out of your hands.

It isn't just the cutter. It is the amount of repetitive motion you did. I would get the ergonomic Olfa cutter others recommend, space out the cutting *much* more, and start saving for an Accuquilt Go! Big. You want to save your hands as much as possible, and repetitive motion cutting is just asking for trouble.

Pam, if you are right handed I'd be happy to trade you a box of scraps for my Martelli cutter.
Nothing wrong with it, I'm just an old dog and I prefer my curved olfa.

I personally live my Martelli ergonomic rotary cutter, I have 2 of them. When cutting multiple strips, I also use my June Taylor Shape Cut ruler, to make multiple cuts without moving the ruler.

I have the Martelli cutter and love it. I followed the instructions on the container and had no trouble learning to use it.

I love the Omnigrid . It's self-retractable and works best in my arthritic, Carple tunnel suffering hand. Got it on line at Walmart and have seen at some of there stores!

I have the Olfa ergonomic cutter and am very happy with it. It rests naturally in my palm plus it retracts the blade when not being pushed. I still have to be careful and not do too much at a time because of tendonitis.

Love my Martelli....have two and used them for years.

Thanks folks. Sounds like I may have just overworked my hand! I am an orderly woman, and I like to get all the cutting done before I start to sew. I want to make sure I bought enough fabric before I get too far into it (I have been know to miscut sometimes <wink>). This particular quilt is a "pixelated" one, and it is all little 2" cut squares though it is basically strip pieced. I know when piecing I do the sew a little/press a little approach.

I do do have friends with the ergonomic Olfa cutter, and I may ask to use it at the next sewing get together.

Kalamaquilts, I will send you a PM!

Thanks folks.

Pam

I have the Martelli ergonomic rotary cutter and love it....so when Martelli had their 1/2 price sale a week or two ago, I ordered two more...arriving today! That's a great time to purchase! I have an Accuquilt Go but never use it, so thinking about selling it. I mostly use my JT Shape Cut Ruler. I'm really interested in the Stripology Ruler, so if anyone can tell me the upside/difference in it and the Shape Cut Ruler, I would appreciate it!

I use the JTShape cut Ruler on all my strip piecing. I cut for a few minutes (10-15) then take a break by going over my pattern instructions. If I get on much of a roll, I definitely will make mistakes.

Remember to vary your activities. It is one thing to want to get something done in a short amount of time, but it is another if you injure your hand to the point of having to rest it for a few day...what have you gained?

A member of my sewing group did a lot of cutting and lost the use of her hand for a month because she inflamed a nerve in her hand and she couldn't grip anything for a long time. She finally got a cortisone shot in her hand and is better, however, she lost an entire month of sewing, had to get an MRI, doctor visits, etc. Her doctor chastised her about doing repetitive motions for a long time and said that she needed to do things in shorter spurts and use heat and ice on her hand while doing these projects.

My first ergonomic rotary cutter was the one from Fiskars. It lasted me twenty seven years, and since that was so cash efficient and easy to use, my new one is a Fiskars too. I bought my first one at Walmart, and the second one too. If it works don't fix it. I have never tried the others, but with arthritis in my hands, this one works for me.

I have a Martelli for my left hand, but the best cutter of all is my AccuQuilt Cutter. I have the 2 1/2" and the 2" dies for it. You can cut up to 6 fabrics at one time.

I like both my Olfas and my Martellis. I am still getting used to the Martellis and the 60mm is a little bit more wobbly than my Olfa 60mm. That said, if you are going to be cutting a lot of strips or shapes, you might consider getting a Go Big or Go Big Electric, if you have the budget.

I personally have a Studio that I use for cutting any large number of items, but use my rotary cutters if I only have a few to do.

I have both Olfa and Gingher ergonomic rotary cutters - try not to do too much cutting at one time. As someone else stated, repetitive movement will hurt and isn't good. I've already had carpal tunnel surgery, have a little arthritis in my hands and get trigger finger on and off. I do believe cutting is the least favorite part of the quilting process for me. I've bought precuts before but also fabric off the bolt.

MARTELLI Rotary Cutters - without question!!! Please watch their videos for proper instruction on holding and cutting. If you aren't shown how to use them, you will not like them..................I use both right and left hand cutters.....and their blades are the very best (sharpest, last longest)......Sign up for their redline direct sales and get items @ 50% of retail.

Also look at how you stand/sit, the relationship of your shoulders to your cutting surface, the height of your cutting surface, is your blade sharp. Doing anything in marathon sessions is never good for our bodies even without arthritis.

Has anybody invested in the Martelli cutting system with the ruler and mat?

Had a Martelli for over 10 years. It still works. Bought another. Tried the Truecut, didn't like it.

I also have the Martelli Mat. Will never go back to Olfa. Buy Martelli blades when they have a sale. Far cheaper than some Olfa sales. I don't like Fiskars except for scissors.

Have an Accuquilt Go, too.

[QUOTE=PaperPrincess;7708059]I like the martelli. They have them for both right and left handed people.
[URL]https://www.amazon.com/Martelli


I also have this rotary cutter & it has helped me with cutting. Takes a bit of time to get used to it but so far so good.

I had these scraps of material too small for my cardboard rollers - started cutting what I could into 5 1/2" squares, and then 2 1/2" squares. I think I may have about 6 quilts (queen sized) I can eventually put together - lol - I took my time after the blisters started forming! It took me a couple of weeks, off and on cutting daily, but it's all done now and the stacks are color coded for specific quilting patterns. My shelves look so very organized, I'm almost afraid to start grabbing stacks to make quilts...

I hate the martelli. It sits in a drawer cause it does not have a blade guard that automatically shuts. I cut myself just horribly because when you set it down, the blade sticks up in the air. My olfa's automatically shut. Just saying.

I have a Martelli cutter. I love it. Had to cut tshirt blocks that I spent a long time fusing (ugh!). Blocks were cut zip zip and no pain, no aches. Love, love, love it! Bought it at a quilt show. My new favorite tool.

I use the Olfa ergonomic and it works. I also have the Sew Easy Quilt & Sew Ruler/Rotary Cutter For Quilting/Patchwork for cutting long strips and the JT shape cut ruler. Whatever I use, I only work for 15 minutes at a time so I don't hurt my hands.

I adore my Martelli. The lady at the store told me it would take some time to get used to it, so not to cut scarce or expensive fabric with it the first time LOL She was right, but it didn't take too long to get the hang of it and now it's all I use.

If it feels wobbly you haven't got your wrist positioned right, the blade should roll as steady as Olfa or fiskers

I have the Martello and really like it. Easy on the wrist cuts like going thru butter

[h=3]TrueCut rotary cutter. I cut for hours with no hand fatigue. Was given to me as a gift after my DH heard me complaining... Got at Hobby Lobby.
. https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon...._AC_US160_.jpg[/h]

Alex Anderson just created a new rotary cutter and mats. The cutter is easy change out blades, has a little weight to it, easy on the hands and made for left and right handers. The cutting mats have the numbers going in both directions on all sides, they are two sided, one is light and the other is dark. she also has the plastic rulers that cling to the fabric so you can make a cut and like if you are doing a small block, you just turn the ruler and the fabric will turn too. Also has numbers going in both directions so that you don't have to worry if you have it going 1 to 6 or 6 to 1, it shows both. I'm going to look for it at the Hampton Roads Quilt show that comes in Feb.

[QUOTE=PaperPrincess;7708059]I like the martelli. They have them for both right and left handed people.
[URL]https://www.amazon.com/Martelli

I have this one too and like it.