Long rotary cutter lifespan
 

This weekend I was happily cutting away with my "plain vanilla" no bells or whistles, just the bare bone basics Olfa rotary cutter. I have used the exact same rotary cutter ever since I first started quilting around 1991. So we are talking a 25 year old cutter handle (that has been through countless blades). Suddenly I noticed my blade shift. Hmm, I think, that is odd. I assumed the set bolt had backed off. Nope nice and tight. Then I look and the blade is offset from the protector shield, not perfectly centered. When I engaged the shield part of the blade is still exposed. How the heck could that happen?? So I take the whole thing apart and realize the hole that the axle screw goes through has finally distorted from 25 years of use. Instead of a nice round circle it is now an oblong. It must have distorted so gradually over the years I never noticed a change until it finally reached the "event horizon" where the distortion got big enough the screw could shift down.
Now if that isn't a testament for how well these handles are constructed I don't know what is. My Olfa has served me well. I just ordered a new one but stuck with the same basic style as I love that cutter and I am old and set in my ways and don't want to change LOL. I sure hope they make them as good as they used to! I was sad that I had to quit for the day. Luckily I was wrapping up for the day anyway.

I have one I've used for years too. maybe not that long but awhile. still going strong.

Wow! I guess you got your money's worth!

Hope you like your replacement as much as your original.
I had one of those early KAI handles, the teal and purple one. I purchased it in the 80's or 90's. It fit my hand so nicely! It lasted at least 20 years before I wore out the plastic 'axel'. I loved it to death! Fortunately I was able to pick up a couple on ebay.

I have about a dozen rotary cutters of all brands and styles. They all cut fine. If one breaks it doesn't matter much. I have some I like the color of and will choose those to use more then then the blah color ones.

I too think you got your money's worth from that rotary cutter. Save the parts, never know when they might be useful. So easy to lose the nut or washer when changing the blade.

Wow, you definitely got your money's worth. It never occurred to me that they might wear out that way. I'm glad I've got an extra of my trusty stick shaped 60 mm-- I don't like the new "ergonomic" styles, they just don't fit my hand as well.

Rob

Sorry that you had to get a new cutter. After this length of time Olfa keeping the same design means it is well loved by many. Mine is about the same age if not older than yours. Over the years I have bought a second one (for the time my original one likes to play hide and seek), a smaller one because I was sure I needed it, then finally got one that will take the fancy blades (pinking and waves) but my favorite is the original - it always seems to work the best.

I change cutters and mats too often to know how long they will last.:)

I have several different brand rotary cutters.....45, 60, and the small ones too......2/3 are oldies, but still work...others are " newer". I just grab whichever out of the coffee cup i keep the regular ones in.....i have two of those " heavy duty" ones too...great for multilayer cutting..those are on the pegboard.....

I still have one of the straight Olfa cutters but I didn't like the way I have to hold it (and with tendonitis.....). Plus, I always needed to remember to close the blade. Then I invested into an ergonomic cutter that exposes the blade when I close the handle - it retracts when I let the handle go. Best cutter ever. May it never fail.

Thanks Feline Fanatic I will definitely check mine. I also have 3 of the Olfa cutters all different sizes, and they were my original cutters. I have at least 5 Frisker rotary cutters and love the handle part on them, so I don't use my Olfa cutters that much. My son gave me a new Friskers with a Titanium blade for Christmas plus a blade removal kit, and which I haven't used yet and had never seen before., and a gift card from JoAnn's. I started using the new cutter and love it. When I opened the pkgs. and was thrilled it the gift, his comment to me was "Mom your hobby is expensive" lol. I put a pinking blade in one of my old Friskers so I don't have to change blades or look for that blade when I need to pink something.

Nothing lasts anymore...LOL. I have also had mine for over 20 years

Mine is still going strong from the mid-80's.

I just recently had to replace my Fiskars ergonomic cutter that I bought 27 years ago when I got serious about quilting. First one cost me $10, new one was $13. Not bad inflation.

Olfa customer service is wonderful. I called them about my olfa cutter that was not behaving. It was about 10 years old, looking for parts. Since they are guaranteed for life, they sent me a new one. I didn't even have to mail my old one in. Give it a try.

I like my Fiskars -- when something breaks, they are replaced for just the postage to return the broken one to the company.

That's a great story, you definitely got your money for that Olfa cutter.

I think you should contact Olfa with your story, maybe they will send you a new cutter, worth a shot anyway.

I have been using he same exact cutter since 1998, so that's 8 years and still working! It has seen a lot of cutting.
peace