Do you have a Rotary Blade Sharpener? Maybe that woud 'smooth' things out?? Let me know if you do & try it, so I can go buy Harbor freight blades!

I, too, have had mixed results with the HF blades. They do seem to dull fairly quickly, and it's hard to get them apart when I take them out of the package, as well as the problem with them sticking to the cardboard. And, I've had nicks and dull spots with them. That being said, they are inexpensive, for sure. DH bought me 20 packages one year for Mother's Day and I'm trying to use them, but it gets old having to change the blade so often. I'm thinking there's a reason the name brand, made for quilting, blades are more expensive!
I am wondering, however, about the benefit of buying a blade sharpener. Would it pay for itself down the line if I use the HF blades and sharpen them? Gonna have to look into and think about that.
It's interesting to read the comments - seems people either love them or hate them, not much in between!

Same here. I bought quite a few packages when they were first suggested on this board, and am still using them,they last a long time!

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I totally agree and love the Harbor Freight blades .. I have had one bad blade in the whole bunch, and out of at least 10 packages so far that is great ! Its a love/hate relationship with the blades I have found out . Either they work for you and you love them or they don't and you hate them. :-)

I'm still using mine and they cut just fine. I guess I'm lucky

I have used several of them and so far I have had no problem with them. I use them for a long tie as well. If, as people say, there is a bad one every so often, it is no problem since thy only cost $1 ( or less, when you get them on sale). For now, I'm satisfied with them and can use the money saved somewhere else.

These stories are why I haven't jumped on the band wagon and ordered any blades from Harbor Freight. I buy from eBay when I see they are brand names and at a good price.

I've gotten blades at a great price on ebay. Olfa and fiskers. Somewhere around 1 a piece.

Thanks, I'll be sure to avoid them. can't stand a dull blade.

I live in a small town near a big city. That said, we have a Walmart that offers a pkg of 2 for $3.99. Now, that isn't as cheap as HF but it is handy and the price is reasonable. I have used HF and the center hole dosen't match all my rotary cutters. It does fit my favorite one. No problem with their quality.

I've been using HF for several years. Even if I get 1 quilt cut out it's still cheaper to me to just change them out. My cutter changes easy so I don't think it's a big hassle to change them.

Maybe it's been so long since I used a "name" brand that I honestly don't know if they are good or not :shock: but I order mine in the mail and love having them laying around.

They had a hard time finding them at the store I went to also until I told him they use them for cutting rugs and they were in a different section of the store.

I use them all the time with no problems. I hope I continue to get good ones!

I've bought them and had good luck with them.

Has anyone bought the blades at Home Depot, Lowes, or other hardware store? How is their price and do they work any better than HF?

I use HF blades all the time. For the price one can't complain. After I am done with it For quilting, I use them for other things, like cutting Gift wrap or Christmas paper. I have a rotary cutter label just for that. Still a lot of life left in them for this type of thing.

Worst blades that I've ever tried. I tried everyone in the 3 blade pack and didn't have success. Then at a quilter's gift exchange I received some in my package. Well let's just say there is a reason someone was giving them away. They didn't work either.

ive found this completely interesting! i have used them with no trouble BUT they seem to not last as long. but then again neither do the olfa's. it's good to read they tear up boards, tho. i wonder how those sharpeners work and if they are worth it in the end?

I have been using the same one for the past 6 months and I do a lot of cutting! So, I can't complain. I've got my money's worth!

Thank you so much!! I'd been looking on the wall of blades - not thinking they would be considered carpet cutters in the store. Going to my nearby store this weekend to see if they have it. I see a lot of good and bad postings here about the blades, so I just have to try them out for myself. I also have a blade sharpener - maybe I can make them last a little longer if I give them a bit of freshening up.

That is probably the best thing to do, as there is a love, hate relationship going on with these. I personally hate what they do to my board. So not worth the savings to me.

I like them. I have had a bad blade every now and again, but for the most part they are good. They certainly are more economical.

I don't like them. For the amount of cutting I do its not worth the frustration!

Blades
 

I totally agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I opened 1 package...Used the blade. Would not even cut through 1 piece of material with out pushing so hard it should have cut the mat but could not even do that. Had to go over 1 peice of material several times and finally quit. Miserable!!!

I bought them too. They don't last as long and and feel like they have been used. I know they recycle the blades and I sent my used blades to them for recycling, but I will not buy them again. Not worth it.

I found that the HF blades have a grease
on them and u have to get that off or they stick in the cutter

I have been considering the HF blades - and the reviews at the web site are a mixed bag, also. Think I'll spring for the $1.99 and try them at least. Is there another online source for inexpensive blades ? even with coupons the Joann price is high.

I agree with you...They are not worth a dime...

I have used these blades before and they were wonderful. This week I've gone thru two pkgs of two each and they are just as you say. Grrrrrrrrr!! Mine are going back too.

The first set I got from Harbor Freight worked fine. The second set - well, the one I was replacing cut better than either one of the two in that package. So no more Harbor Freight blades will come into my home.

I got a pkg. of the HF blades , but haven't tried them yet. But with my expensive blades , I cut through several layers of tin foil several times , & they give me a lot more cutting after that. I was just wondering if that might work with these if you get a bad one.

I've never had a problem with them - my problem is I still forget to change them to new ones - but that is my trait. :-)

Thanks I will have to try this..have never heard of it before. Happy Quilting!!!

I have not had a lot of luck with them either.

I bought them & they have worked really well. Beats spending high $ ones…

Bought them, returned them, enough said. You get what you pay for and these are worthless. I told their customer service rep they should stop saying quilters use them.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion and there are some who agree with you. But there are also a bunch of us who have had good luck with them. So I hope Harbor Freight doesn't change anything. To each his own.

You can buy 100 Olfa 45 mm blades on eBay right now for $95 with free shipping. That's less than $1 each - I'm still working on my first batch of 100 blades. At this price, I change them frequently.

Debbie

They had a hard time finding them in my store. We finally located them in the department where they have the supplies for cutting rugs.

I will never waste my money on Harbor Freight blades again. If they do work, I have to press so hard my hand and wrist begin to hurt. They skip and shred my fabric. They damage my cutting mats. I have to make several cuts to cut my material completely. There is no comparison between them and the brand name blades. Watch for sales and buy a blade that works.