Martelli rotary cutter questions
 

I went to the doctor a few years ago and learned that the thumb joint in my right hand needs to be babied if I want to avoid surgery. For the most part, I have been able to do that. However, recently I have noticed that cutting with my regular 60mm Olfa is causing some aching at the base of my thumb that persists for a day or two. So, I am looking at the Martelli.

Years ago I purchased the 45mm Martelli and might have gotten used to using it. However, I realized pretty quickly that it did not work well in my June Tailor strip cutting mats, which I use often. So that cutter got forgotten and is lying in a drawer somewhere in the house, waiting to become a vintage collectible.

I know that Martelli has changed their cutters since that experience. This video shows the differences: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ACuhS53ko

I do almost all of my cutting with a 60mm cutter because I just find that size easier to use than a 45mm. That's why I am thinking of getting the 60mm Martelli. I figure the blade casing will sit high enough so that I will be able to use my June Tailor cutting mats with it.

The price for the 60mm is pretty good on Amazon. Some of the reviews complain about the blade, but others say that replacing the blade that comes with the cutter eliminates that problem.

Anyone have comments before I make the plunge? I am not looking forward to changing my cutting habits, but looking closely at the videos and experimenting with my thumb and hand positions, I do think the Martelli would relieve pressure on my base thumb joint.

Edit: p.s. How do you like the safety shield mechanism? One video showed the Martelli guy opening and closing it by running the cutter over the mat in a certain way. Is this easy to learn and do? Otherwise I noticed a complaint that it is awkward to open and close the shield because you need to use the opposite hand to do that.

I love my Martelli cutter; I could no longer use my Olfa because of the pressure it requires from the first finger. I found the youtube videos very helpful, showing how to clean and explaining the proper dynamic of cutting.

I have accidentally opened my cutter a couple of times by running it over the mat having forgotten it was closed. I prefer to do it with my finger, but you don't have to use the other hand, it is easy to put the shield back with the first finger of the holding hand.

I've never tried the 60mm, as the 45 works fine for me. I have found the blades to be nice and sharp. My cutter developed a glitch after about three months, so I sent it to them with a note, and received it back promptly with two replacement bolts and an explanation that my bolt had developed a groove because I was pressing too hard. It's back to working great with the replacement bolt.

I know this is not an answer to the question you're asking, but I hope it's okay if I chime in. I had carpal tunnel surgery in 2001 in both hands (about 6 weeks apart). My thumbs had just started to ache at the base, and my hands frequently got tingly and/or numb at night. I didn't have the intense pain that many people associate with carpal tunnel syndrome. I was told at the time that the longer I put off having surgery, the more nerve damage I was likely to sustain. I don't know if that is your situation, but it's something to ask the doctor. There are also exercises that really help with carpal tunnel symptoms. I might have tried those before surgery if I had known about them, but I have never regretted having the surgery.

I love my Martelli cutter. I think it is the 45. I have very small hands and I find it really fits my hand. Sometimes the pressure I needed to do on the other cutters was a pain in my whole arm. I will admit, I do not have the proper table height either. A few months ago I was in a class and needed to replace my blade in my Martelli and the man that helped me turned the screw the wrong way. So when I tried it, it locks up. Martelli told me to send it in and they will replace it for $12.50 so I have my box ready to go. I miss that thing so much and I had to finish a quilt so had to revert back to the other kind. I would recommend it highly but be sure to mark which way the screw is to be taken off.

I've not gotten used to mine and find I wander too much cutting with a ruler.

However I love it for using with my Stripology ruler. It's got more exposed blade so I can cut through more layers than with my other cutters (all 45). I also have a June Tailer ruler, but it's not as thick and sturdy as the stripology ruler, so that may make a difference using the Martelli cutter.

I love my Martelli cutters. You do NOT have to use the opposite hand to open or close. It doesn't take very long to learn to do it with one hand.
I say go for it!

Thanks, dunster. The specific problem I have right now is not carpal tunnel syndrome, but rather deterioration of the basal thumb joint due to arthritis. The surgery to correct the joint is very different than surgery for carpal tunnel and, as far as I can tell, much more radical because it involves reconstructing the joint, replacing the joint, or shaving the bone ends and inserting a ball. :shock: That is the surgery I am hoping to avoid.

Thanks for all the comments about the Martelli cutter. I'm especially relieved to know it works well with the Stripology mat.

On a different note, does anyone know how to get on Martelli's email list for sales notification? The only link I found for that does not work.

So sorry the problem is more severe. I did have a big toe joint replaced due to arthritis, and that was an easy surgery for me, but I don't know how it compares to replacing a thumb joint. Thumbs are much more complicated than big toes.

Prism99
Here is the link for Martelli's website. When the page first loads up, there is a popup box that asks if you want to subscribe. If there is no popup box, go to the bottom of the page and there is a link to sign up for their newletter.
I will also add that I love my Martelli cutter. It took some getting used to (think retrain of brain) but it is worth it.
Good luck with your thumb problem. Arthritis in the finger joints can really alter some activities.
Murphy
https://martellinotions.com/

when carpal tunnel was the "chic disease" and it seemed everybody at work "had it" to some degree, i taught myself to mouse with my left hand instead of my right. that one simple step seems to have prevented the CT - more so than any of the so-called ergonomic devices on the market.

because of that i also taught myself to cut with both hands.
practiced on scraps.
so i rarely get any discomfort from cutting marathons.

martelli makes distinctly different cutters for left and right hand use.
try getting one of each in the size you will use most.
it might help.

I had bad thumbs and had surgery for Basil thumb on both hands. It was the best thing I did. There was about four months befor I could wring out a dishcloth. I can do everything good again. The Trapesium bone was all in pieces and was removed. Good luck.

I watched the video about cleaning your cutter. They now have a version 3 and you can upgrade for $12.50 by bringing your old cutter to a trade show or place they are vending.

I, too, am looking at the Martelli ergo cutters due to issues with my hands. You can also order them from Joann's online and use a 50% off coupon if you have one.

Martelli cutter
 

I switched over to the Martelli last year & it has really helped. I have severe arthritis in both wrists & thumb joints. Obviously, I don't cut fabric for too long, otherwise, nothing helps except Motrin! I do really like the Martelli cutter though & have no trouble using it or changing the blades.

Thanks for the videos-I guess I have the most current cutters even though I bought it 2 yrs before that video was posted. I find it interesting how she kept saying martelli blades are the longest lasting and cheapest. My 60mm blade didn't last at all and they are not cheap. I bought other brand 45 mm blades but I guess I have to use the martelli brand 60mm so I almost never use my 60 mm cutter.

Thanks for that info! I was going to buy both the 45 and 60 but now I think I am going to pass on the 60. I can't afford expensive blades that don't last long!!!

I've been looking at the Martelli website and was impressed with what they had to offer. Since I've been having trouble with my wrist I need a different type of rotary cutter. Then there is their mat and rulers and lots of other things. Gives me a lot of food for thought. I am also retired and look at the expense involved. Hopefully the products are worth the investment. Still a bit on the fence. Hope all works out for you Prisim.

I finally ordered the 60mm Martelli and a package of replacement blades on Amazon. If I can learn to use it, it will definitely help my right hand.

wildyard, I noticed in the reviews on Amazon of the 60mm that several people said it works fine once you replace the blade that comes with the cutter. I have some other cutter blades that were stored for a long period of time and noticed the other day, when I went to use one of them, that the oil coating had congealed and become sticky. I'm thinking that perhaps the cutters are manufactured in large quantities and then may be stored for long periods of time under less than ideal conditions. All rotary cutter blades benefit from a very light coating of oil to keep them moving well, but old oil can get gummy. I will see what happens when my cutter comes.

I prefer 60mm over 45mm because it is more universal for me. It works as well as a 45mm cutter but works better than a 45mm cutter when I am cutting multiples layers.

Murphy, thanks for the link. I was able to sign up for the newsletter there. Not sure, but I think Martelli has an old website out there too and that was the one that didn't work.

scrap adict, thanks for the thumbs up (pun intended!) on the surgery. My thumb isn't bad enough yet, but good to know it can actually work. I'm a real wimp about surgeries.

Prism99, I have used older blades with the oil gone sticky, and they still cut fine in the rotary cutter. I don't have a problem with them not rolling smoothly.

I wiped the sticky oil off my older blade with a paper towel, then re-oiled with fresh before putting it into my Olfa cutter and it worked fine. I'm just speculating that the Martelli cutter may be more sensitive to sticky oil, especially considering that its blade housing is different from other cutters. Pure speculation on my part, though, based on the comments in Amazon reviews about a replacement blade working better.

It's probably been mentioned but be sure to sign up for their email list. They have 50% off sales several times a year.

Well, I ended up getting both the 45mm and 60mm with a few replacement blades from Amazon. The prices there are better than on the website, especially when you have Prime and don't have to pay shipping. I am currently in the middle of piecing a quilt so will probably never get to some serious trying-out of the Martelli cutters for awhile. I'm pretty sure that, if I can get used to them, they will be easier on my hand/wrist/thumb.

Wow, Prism99, I just did the same thing last night. I was trying to order from Joann's online but having a problem with the lower shipping coupon, so I decided to check Amazon. We are prime too, and their prices were amazing! I got both the 45mm and 60mm for $32.72 plus I had a $10 gift card credit I didn't even know I had. LOL.. so ended up paying $22.72 total. I can't wait to get them and try them out.

i know everybody says you can't, but i think you actually can use some other brands of blades in the martelli cutter.
you have to compare the shape of the hole in the center because they are not all the same.

I just got mine today! Went over to my cutting table to find something to cut. It feels weird when I open it- it seems like it cuts the matt, but I suppose I'll get used to it.

There is a learning curve with the Martelli cutter. It really helped me to watch the youtube video that explained the way to hold it properly. Stick with it if it feels awkward at the outset, because you'll get the hang of it, and it's a much less stressful way to cut.

The Martelli blade has a circle in the center, rather than a notched circle like the Olfa and other blades. You can use other blades with the cutter, but the notches will eventually damage the bolt, and you'll have to replace it.