If you were to replace your rotary cutter....
 

...which brand rotary cutter would you get, and why? What's your favorite? Which size to you use most often?

I have a very old Fiskars (45 I think) rotary cutter that I think I used for paper/scrapbooking. It's been working okay with a new blade, but now that I've invested in a nice rotary mat and Creative Grid & June Tailor (ShapeCut) rulers, I'd really like to invest in some nice rotary cutters, as well. Just haven't a CLUE what's best and which brands to stay away from.....

Your suggestions & recommendations would be most appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Well, I have a Fiskars and like it a lot, but I will be interested in this thread to see what the favorite is.

Dina

I have a OLFA (45) that I really like. Just like an old friend, although she has bit me once. This particuliar one is the kind that when you grasp the handle you lower the blade and when you lay it down it automatically retracts, a really good safety feature. Have wondered about the ergonomic ones. Will be interested to hear what everyone thinks.

I replaced my Fiskars with an Olfa 45 and I love it!!

I have used both Fiskars and Olfa, and I like them both. I have seen the Martelli cutters, but they cost a lot! I don't know anyone who uses one. Maybe someone does and will give an opinion.
Also, I use a 45.

I LOVE my Martelli! Thought it might take some getting used to, but it didn't. Mine is a 45 and I want to get a 60 also. All of the Martelli products are a bit pricey but my rotary cutter was worth every penny. I really, really want one of the Martelli cutting boards, but that will have to wait. Just can't justify in my budget right now.

I've used Fiskars and Olfa's and as far as I'm concerned Olfa's are the only ones for me, I have the "ergonomically" correct ones, I have a friend that was given a Martelli cutter and she has tried it and has said when it needs a new blade, it's going in the garbage.

I love my Olfa ergonomic cutters. The 45mm works best in my June Tailor Shape cut ruler.

I have a Gingher that I really like for its heft. I used both Gingher and Olfa blades on it.

Cheers, K

Ditto...I like my Martelli too

this is the kind that i have and have no desire to change

I'm not sure what I would get - that is probably why I haven't replaced it. The one I have works fine and I don't want to spend the time looking for a different one.

Olfa 60mm quick change
45mm gingher
also have a 45mm olfa ergonomic but prefer the gingher and quick change.

I like my Fiskars. I like my Olfa, but not my Olfa where you squeeze the handle to expose the blad. I am afraid it is a false sense of security.

Recently purchased the Martelli. It is now my go to cutter.

I have both Olfa and Fiskars love both , have 60 and 45 mm. I also have a clover 28mm that one gets used the least.

I like my Olfa's. I have worn out a few Fiskars over the years, so I don't prefer them. The hub wears out for me

Dayle

Olfa, Olfa, Olfa!!! Any size, any model. The 45 is probably the most usable for you, though.

Jan in VA

I have noticed that some quilters prefer a particular set up of rotary cutter and how they hold it. Personally as long as it has an instant blade back when you let go of the handle no problem .

I have 2 Olfa's and love them both. The tension spring on one of them broke. I couldn't find a replacement to buy so I contacted Olfa and they sent me three of them for free.

I won a Fons and Porter auto close at the my very first guild meeting and that is what I prefer. It retracts after each use. I also have Olfa and Martelli cutters but use the Fons and Porter the most.

If you go to a LQS see what they use. Take some fabric with you and they will probably let you try it out. If you have friends with different cutters, see if you can try them out. What works for one person doesn't always work for the next. Just remember if you end up finding one you like to see if they carry it at Joann's then you can use a coupon!!!! I'm not dising the LQS, but I spend my money in there on fabric and get my notions on sale if I can.

Olfa for me! I gave my fiskers one away.

Olfa 45 curved handle
I've tried them all, the straight handle ones create a carpal tunnel opportunity
The fiskers and the martelli both seem flimsy and the blades wobble.

I have used only Fiskars for about sixteen years now and have never even thought about changing. They work great and don't cost an arm and a leg. (I still have my original cutter that I bought when I first started quilting. It still works great, but they changed the design a bit a while back, so I bought a newer 45 mm version and a 60 mm cutter - love them all!) But that's not to say I wouldn't love Olfa or another brand, I just have never had the need to change to try them. :)

I was in a junk shop at the Arizona market in Yuma where I picked up a rotary cutter for like 5.00. You have to squeeze it to make it work and I really like it. I also have the fisker cutter where u lock the blade out. This has been my cutter for years. When i worked in the fabric store I used the Oafa cutter and I liked that as well. I tried those egeronomic red ones I wasn't fussy about it.

Basically any cutter is good as long as it has a sharpe blade in it.

i have a fiskars and the cutting edge both 45. love them.

I will tell you what I won't buy again. I bought a Fons And Porter one and I am not crazy about it.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I wonder if I go to a LQS to try some cutters, will they allow me to also bring along my ShapeCut Plus ruler? I want to make sure the cutter will work with my favorite ruler! And if the shop goes to all that trouble to allow me to play, bring my own fabric & rulers to test, I'll probably just buy from them.

I am sure if you take your own fabric they probably will! I think this is a great idea, I really wish there were more places to "test drive" a notion before you buy. If you like it, it is well worth the $ but if it doesn't work for you it is a waste. Hoever never throw quilting tools that don't work for you out (unless they aren't safe) - try giving to friends, a guild or your local Senior Center. Good Luck!

I have 2 of the olfa 45. And 1 of the smaller olfa(?). I use these 3 most of the time. I have 1 of those 45 eurogonics(sp), and used it once, maybe twice. Getting use to cutting with it that euro, just hasn't got me in the mood to use it, yet.

I have an Olfa ergonomic cutter that retracts the blade automatically. Love it!

Left-handed 60mm Martelli ergo. For me, nothing else comes anywhere near close for all-day cutting comfort and blades that stay sharp dozens of times longer than anything else I've used.

For really small cuts like small applique pieces with lots of curves, I use a standard 18mm Olfa cutter.

I have used all the Olfa models and sizes, and I like them all. I also bought a Martelli, as well as Fiskars. For blades, I buy the titanium Fiskars at JoAnn's when I have a 50% discount coupon. It also helps to make sure the cutters are used just for fabric and nothing else. I use a different cutter for interfacings and battings.

I use a OLIF 45 and really like the way the blade retracts when not in use. 45 is the universal size and can do most everthing. . the 60 is too big for everday cutting and the smaller size is used for curves.

Martelli left-handed 45. Without a doubt. An Olfa with a straight handle for when my martelli is buried and I can't see it!

Ditto...I like my Martelli too


Ditto......I love my Martelli, haven't changed the blade yet.

I also have a 45 mm Gingher ergonomic quick change and LOVE it!! I also use my trusty 45 mm Olfa that closes when I lay it down. I usually go to it first.

Yesterday, for the first time, I used my electric blade sharpener and loved it. I've been leery of it for months, but it was so easy to use and really sharpened my blade. I need to sit down and sharpen all my old blades now. It really works well.

Olfa (ergonomic -- curved) -- I have both 60 and 90 (Joanns 1/2 price). I use the 60 in the June Tailor Shape cut. I also have the 18 and 28 (the 18 is straight) -- I use the little ones to rip long lines of stitching that are not quite right . Have tried Fons and Porter (gave it to the church quilters) and ditto with Fiskars. Just like the feel of the Olfa. Tried the Martelli at a quilt show -- hits my hand in the wrong place so I did not consider it.

I have an Olfa 45 mm that retracts the blade when you let go of the handle. I am very happy with it.

I have an OLFA 45 and really like it especially the safety aspect, when you lay it down the blade automatically retracts. The' ergonomical' one looks good too, but I haven't tried it. Angi