Harbor Freight blades....Have They Changed?
 

Has any one else noticed that the rotary 45mm blades from Harbor Freight are not of the same quality they were when they first came to our attention? I had 5 pks I purchased in the fall and just opened one - well, 4 of them actually! That's 8 blades and every one simply creased the fabric! I tried 4 or 5 passes and do know that there are 2 to a pack. They used to be great, but not one of the 8 was usable! Darn! Back to Olfa for me!:(

Sorry to hear that you are having problems with Harbor Freight blades. I bought several packs last fall and I just opened the 2nd one a few weeks ago. I used the same one for weeks and weeks. I bought a new cutting mat about the same time and I think that also helped the blade to work better, a nice smoother surface. For me they have lasted lots longer than the Olfa ones. Just another opinion.

I had the exact same experience. I have eight more unopened packages. Big disappointment. Maybe they did used to be better. Darn!

I've also been "not as pleased" with them as with the Olfa. But, then, maybe I've not opened enough packages. Some here seem to indicate that there are some that are better than others...

I love mine, no problem at all , you know that men use them to cut carpet with so they have to be pretty darn sharp
to cut through carpet. Did you check to be sure you only put one blade in and that they where not stuck together, as they do since they have oil on them.

I tryed HF blades, I had the same problem, one package would be good but the next not so good or one blade good and the second out of the package not so good, Have never had that problem with blades made just for rotery cutters, I guess we get what we pay for.

If they are just creasing the fabric I wonder if it was a bad batch ? Could happen

I had the same issue as you I ordered some because every one was saying how good they were and they were horrible 1st 2 packages every blade would not even cut through left peiceces attached even on a new mat. So went back to olfa no issues just do not like $$ the cost try to buy at JoAnn's when I can get 40 or 50 % off

I bought some...and they were horrible!
Regular name brands for me on Rotary blades.
K

yep, the one package I opened, the blades were no good. I do have a relatively new mat. Will not be buying HF blades again, and I still have 2 packages. Waste of time and money in MHO.

I could not even get the plastic off mine. When I finally did they did not cut.

I have not ever had a problem with the Harbor Freight blades and have used them probably going on 4 years. I do know other people have reported problems, but for me they can't be beat for the price.

Ditto for me. They work great for me and seem to last a long time, too.

I have had good luck with most of my HF blades. I would say my success rate is the same as the more expensive blades. Sorry others have not been as successful.

I should add that I've been using the HF blades since they were first "discovered" and loved them. Oh sure, a few were not good, but opened another pack and it was fine. But 4 pks!!! 8 bad blades??

There is surely some truism to the addage....you get what you pay for.
I've always been and Olfa only gal. I buy mine from Hancocks of Paducah, 10 at a time for a great price when they have free shipping.
Jan in VA

If you bought them all at the same time, they would all be from the same batch in the manufacturing process. Think of all the people that bought huge amounts....

Sometimes one can get good deals on Olfa blades on e-bay.

I have had good luck with them. One blade out of several was not good but the majority have been.

I put in a new Olfa blade in a Clover rotary cutter. It skipped terribly. Had DH check it and he said it was a bad blade. Took it out and replaced with a Harbor Freight blade new out of the package. That was month ago and it is still doing great. Can't figure this blade thing out!!

I had the same experience. Rats
Back to the brand name ones.

Ditto. Used to love them but the quality got very iffy - some worked and some didn't. Decided to go back to the name brands. I got some through the Wawak catalog, they have some great notions at good prices. (It used to be Atlanta Thread and Supply, they changed the name.)

have had no problems with the HF blades so far -- will keep using them

I bought 5 packages last fall. I opened one Saturday. The blades were stuck together, looked liked the lubrication had dried out. Cleaned them up and lubed them and tried to cut fabric with each one. They wouldn't cut hot butter, let alone fabric. I may try to open the other packs just to see, but may just toss them in the trash. No more for me!

Has anyone tried to contact the company and return the darn blades? If they are sold to cut carpets and won't cut fabric there is a HUGE problem! My SIL bought me a few packs and they have worked well BUT, you can be sure if one does not work - it is going back :((

I didn't know HF CARRIED rotary blades! hmmm...got one right around the corner! Goin in! lol

HF blades didn't cut cleanly for me. Tried 2. Both would cut, then skip, then cut...back to Olfa for me.

Same here! I just tried them and I was so stoked to find cheap rotary blades. But they just chewed up my fabric. Switched to a fresh Olfa blade and it was like cutting butter. I guess I got what I paid for! Luckily I didn't wait until I was completely out of Olfa blades before testing them...nothing worse than a lovely pile of freshly pressed fabric and no decent blades!

try www.lpsharp.com I like the fact that they recycle.

I had one blade from HF that was not sharp at all. The next one I used was OK. I still have several more that are unopened. I will try them, but if there are more like that one dull blade, I will stick to Olfa and Martelli. I really like the Martelli best of all brands I have used.

I have not had any issues with them and bought some in the fall and some about a month ago and they are still working great. I have 3 cutters set up for different purposes, fleece/batting, cotton, and decorators. All work great.

I guess I will stay with the name brands. I bought HF blades, but haven't used them yet.

I paid over $11.00 yesterday for ONE 45 rotary blade at Michaels. I could not believe the price increase. I went online and ordered 3 pks from HF. Lowes and Home Depot don't sell them in this area. Thought I would give it a try. I also purchased a Pinking Rotary Blade, don't know how that one is going to work. Anyway, with all the pros and cons about this thread, I thought I would give HF a try.

They are sold as "carpet cutting" blades. Used to be so happy with them!

I do too! Are they actually as good as the originals? Great price!

I just received my second shipment of 10 pkgs HF carpet blades. No problems so far. I haven't used all of them - keep giving them away to friends.