I have gone through my second large (33x58) cutting mat. It's the one from JoAnn's. I've got to get another mat but I think I'm wasting my money with these. I'm thinking of purchasing an Olfa. JoAnn's has their cutting mats 50% off and they have the big Olfa (35x70) for $85. (reg $175). Some of the LQS I frequent use Olfa mats and say they wouldn't use anything else. I also have a June Tailor mat but I don't really care for it. BTW I press hard when rotary cutting due to weakness in my hand and I'n sure that's caused the short life of my mats. Is the Olfa worth the extra money?

I have been using mine for 12-15 years now...It's a large green Olfa mat.
There is a tool you can get on line to keep your mat conditioned, It's by Tri-Sharp Mat smoother.
http://www.google.com/#q=tri-sharp+m...4QrQQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=ccf612a4ab56e996&biw=1011&bih=59 7
It smoothes out the cuts that develop over time...

I love my Olfa. I have the 36x24 and the two other sizes down from that. I also have the 12 inch rotary mat and the 17x17 roatary mat. My 36x24 I have had for at least 8 years with pretty regular use and I press hard with no ill effects. The mat that I had before was a Fiskars and it was terrible. I believe the Olfas are worth the money.

I will say, though, that I think the rotary mats are a little bit softer and I do see some marks in my 12x12. I use that one mostly for squaring up small blocks or things like that so I'm not too worried about that.

I think I would go to the smaller size mat if I had to keep replacing it. I have always used the Omnigrid mats & only use my larger one after quilting when squaring up & trimming edges before binding.

I have all brands of cutting mats, I even have the Polar which is super nice but my go to for a big mat is
June Taylor hard surface mats. They last for years.
It's the same surface as industry cutting mats
that have to last as long as possible before replacing.
The rotary blade rolls on top of the surface not cutting into the mat.
My blades gets duller faster using the Olfa or Fiskar mat.
Martelli mats last a long time but it does gets cracks in it.
The Polar mat is a cross between the hard surface
and self healing, thicker then the other mats.
Excellent. The one I have I bought years ago from Quilter's Rule. Int'l.
I will buy another the largest I can if I ever find one again.

I have had a June Tailer mat for years and it is still in good shape. Can't remember the first mat I had, but it wore out fast.

I love my Olfa.

I like my June Tailor mat from walmart lasts me for years and super cheap for the big one is only 14dollars so to replace it is not that hard

Use Olga mats! I do have a hard plastic Matt but haven't used it yet I press hard too!

Beware! The large Olfa mat from Joanns is still airing out in my garage after 2 months. I must say that it is getting better but they off gas so much that you can't keep them in your house. Look for other threads on here regarding the smell.

I love my Martelli mat. My rotary cutters don't dull too fast, thank goodness. I live in Arizona and mine hasn't had ant problems.

ali

I got my Olfa mats from Hancock Fabrics and they have never had a smell. I tried the Fiskars and June Taylor and did not like either one of them. I also tried the white mat from JoAnn Fabrics and I cut right into it.

I had to keep mine (Olfa) out in the shed for nearly nine weeks--have asthma and it made me SICK! And I know it was in the store for quite a while as they did not order anything new when they were preparing to clear out all the sewing supplies(Alco).

Like everything else, it probably depends where it was manufactured.

I've tried other mats(Fiskars & June Tailor), but always go back to Olfa. However the last Olfa I bought (friend got it at Joann's for me) doen't appear to be as good as my old Olfa mat.

Thanks to those who have answered me back about their mats. The June Tailor and Fiskors mats just "Look" too flimsy. I haven't heard of Olga mats; and a couple of you are having a problem with a smell from the Olfa mats. My question is "Did you notice the smell at the store when you purchased them? I thought I'd do the smell test today so need answer quick. Thanks Again, Joyce

I know a lot of people on here have given two thumbs up for the Alvin cutting mats. They are professional mats. Use the search feature to read the discussions, but here is the link to one:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-59896-1.htm

I plan to get an Alvin for my next cutting mat.

I bought one of the giant Olfa mats from Joanns. Do you realize that is comes in 2 pieces and have to be clipped together. I found the seam where the 2 pieces meet annoying and a problem. I took it back (sent it back). I have 2 of the 36" ones and like them very much. Stay away from the white mats as they will really reduce the life of your rotary blades.

Thanks for the advice regarding the hinged Olfa mats because that's exactly what I was going to buy. Yes I agree with you about JoAnn's white mat; I've gone thru 2 of them.

thanks for the information on the Alvin mat