Need to know what is the best self healing mat?
 

I recently starting quiliting, sort of. I purchased the Fiskars self-healing mat, with a rotary cutter and ruler. I swear, everytime i cut using the rotary cutter, the mat makes the blade dull, and i can see the fibers from the fabric stuck in the mat. Does anyone have a favorite mat that you could recommend?
Thanks!!

How long ago did you purchase the mat. Are you using it on a flat non-giving surface? I had mine on a folding table that would give in the middle. Actually the whole table would give a little. Got a board (plywood) then it worked fine. I can use it on my kitchen table also and ihave a different cutting surface now. It's piece of plywood on top of 2 base cupboard. If you still have trouble call Fiskars and tell them about it. Maybe you also have a bad blade. It happens. I opened a pack of new blades and they were bad. Called Olfa sent the blades back and they replaced all and sent me an extra blade.

im using it on a counter top, granite. i already bought olfa blades, and after 3 to 4 cuts, i could feel it going dull on the mat! the mat has painted areas, and i think this is the culprit. i remember years ago, i bought a dritz mat. i don't remember, but i would like to purchase a new one, and stop wasting money.

I like the Olfa mats. I had a grey Fiskars turntable one that was horrible. I tossed it. It left little grey pebbles all over. It must have been old waiting in the store for someone to purchase it.

Olfa has always been good for me. I think all brands of mats call themselves "self-healing".

I've used them all and the best so far is the Quilter's Select mat. Once you hold one you will know the quality.

No mats are really self-healing. That's a crock.

I like the green mats ... Olfa? But even those wear out with a lot of cuts. You can flip them over and use the plain side to get a little more mileage out of them, but eventually... just like everything... they will have to be replaced.

Tessagin, how do you know if a blade is bad, right out of the package?

It sounds like you are pushing down too hard when you're cutting. If you have a new sharp blade you shouldn't have to push down hard enough to cut your mat. I have to watch myself as I tend to do this if I'm not paying attention.

Cari

this is what I discovered. My table has a little give in it. When I cut on the dining room table it is a different story. Easy peasy

I find sewbizgirl's comments interesting because I've used Olfa mats -- ALWAYS purchased from Hancocks of Paducah, never Joannes, etc. -- for well over 30 years, wash them occasionally as Olfa advises, and have NEVER had a problem with them not 'healing'. I do use both sides of my mats, and change up where I cut on them so as not to cut over and over again in the same groove, but I've used these mats for years and years without causing a 'bad spot'.

On the other hand, in my experience in many years of classroom situations, I've decided the Fiskar mats may be the worst ones on the market for dulling blades! I also use only Olfa blades, by the way, which I buy at Hancocks of Paducah in the 10-pack for a good price.

Jan in VA