New blades
 

Just had to share...I'm starting to cut pieces for a king sized quilt...I changed my rotary blade..again, second time this year and it's only April...maybe I've set a precedent for myself, lol.

for some reason I delay in changing my blades. I was still using one and had to re-cut to spots every time. I moved recently and know I have some new blades somewhere but ended up buying more and then did change it out. Lovely and smooth cutting again.

My blade gets nicks in it because I sometimes run it into the sides of the ruler. I'm getting better at not doing this and the blades last a lot longer.

I change the blade at the first skip. I don't wait for it to get worse. One guild member was struggling with cutting and I said you may need a new blade. She said this one is still good. I just have to recut several times with it. I said that's kinda dumb isn't it? She said a new blade is expensive! She huffed over to her $12,000 Dream Machine. LOL

Good lady!! I just ordered a bunch more!! Feels so right, doesn't it?

There was a while I ordered new blades every time I saw them on sale. I think I have 20 in my blade box. And yet I always wait to change my blades until the skipping stitches drives me nuts. Then when I make the change, I wonder why do I wait? The blades go on sale all the time. I have a large supply and no excuses.

Nicked blades definitely need changed. But,. . . .maybe a blade isn't dull, just needs some "help". I found my blades get a minutely thin layer of lint, same as a sewing machine. It just needs a careful wipe. Also found the nut can loosen after a while. So now if it skips I loosen the nut, wipe and tighten then test. If it skips, off it goes and a new blade is in order.

Apparently you are a very busy and prolific quilter! Go you!

When I get nicks, I generally change the blade -- generally because if I have nicked the new one I will work with it until it gets dull. It is truly annoying to nick a new blade.

I am absorbing your advice.