The rotary cutters we use are discribed as a rolling razor blade. Well what I have bought so far I consider junk. For the price of one blade your lucky to be able to cut one quilt. I just had the second handle fall apart.
Today I am going to the hardware store and look for a cutting knife that has replaceable blades. I know there are all kinds, one thing they have in common is they're sharp. I want to get one that uses inexpensive blades. I will post later and let everyone know what I find. :wink:

i own one or two fiskars cutters, several dritz cutters, and several of some wierd brand i got for $1 each at Big Lotts.

the first fiskars i bought fell apart. i bought another because it used to be the only brand they sold at WalMart and the only brand i'd ever heard of.

by the time i decided i wanted one with a bigger blade, WM was also selling Dritz cutters. they were less expensive than fiskars, so that's what i bought.

i like the dritz much better. they are sturdy and stable. the fiskars cutter feels flimsy, wobbly, and generally like junk in comparison. much easier to achieve an accurate cut. it's easy to take apart and put back together. in fact you can't put it back together any way but the right way. it cuts easily through as many as 8 layers of fabric. and they are safe, safe, safe to use. i did manage to cut myself once but only because did something incredibly stupid while using it in a way it wasn't designed to be used.

i treat my cutters like i do my computers. i push them to their known limits and beyond. i have used the dritz; abused the dritz; but i have not been able to make it feel cheap.

far be it from me to discourage independence and exploration of new frontiers. i hope you find something that cuts fabric as easily as a rotary blade. especially through more than one layer. when i first got into quilting, i tried box cutters and craft knives. i already had those and didn't want to pay for a rotary cutter if i didn't need to. neither worked well at all for me. So if you haven't tried a Dritz yet ....

I only own two rotary cutters...the first one was a KIA which I really liked but it wasn't very ergonomical (I think thats the correct term?) so I bought a Fiskars with the wide grip handle.... the screw does keep coming loose on it but I just give it a twist to tighten it now and then.... Next time I will try the Dritz.....let us know how you come out with your new experiment Ruth!

Take a utility knife to one of those rotary cutting pads and kiss the pad goodbye. They are meant for rotary cutters only.

Try the OLFA. I is an engineer and I don't usually buy junk. The OLFA is a nice tool. For most hands a 45mm is best. Don't get the straight one, get the one with a curved handle. Very comfortable, very accurate with a good rule.


JMHO.

tim in san jose

Ruthie

I have used fiskars for quiet awhile. I agree that the replacement blades are not cheap, I really push the limits on mine, sometimes I find that it's not alway the blade. I'll take mine apart, clean it and re-oil it, and then sometimes turn the blade over. and I'll get more miles. But please if you find a cheaper solution and just as worthy, please let me know.

My first rotary cutter was the cheap variety JoAnn used to have on a slaes promotion for $1. I bought one and thought it was pretty good, so I went back and bought a dozen. Consider that I had a dozen new blades as well.

After a while I wanted one of the bent handle style and bought a Fiskar. I am still using it 6 years later. Recently I purchased an Olfa simply because I had a problem getting the old blades off the Fiskar. I later learned that a quick shot of WD-40 does the trick. Just let it set a few minutes.

I have cut and pieced my way through about 3 dozen quilts. I do not let my blades get so dull that I have to use a lot of effort. Therefore, I have no deep grooves in my mat. I have had 2 mats. With the first one I cut everything in the center before I realized it was full of fibers. (Don't forget to e-mail the manufacturers and tell them what you have found to be a problem. Fiskar is exceptionally understanding.) I bought a new mat, and turn it to use on the other side when trimming. I also learned that you can dry scrub the mat to clean out the fibers. I gave the old one to someone who wanted to experiment with cutting fleece for Linus blankets.

Remember it is cheaper to buy where they are sold at reasonable prices in quantity. We buy a stash of fabric, so why not have a stash of blades to make our cutting simpler. The service I use is:

http://www.houseofhanson.com/lpsharp.html

I would never use a box cutter. That is sheer folly to assume you won't have an accident if it slips. My daughter nearly lost the tip of her finger in art class with one of these objects. Please reconsider your intent.
June

I agree with Tim. My first OLFA rotary cutter has lasted for years and it's the straight-handled one with the 28mm blade. The rounded handle ones hadn't even been invented at the time! 8)

You can buy sharpeners for your rotery cutters. they ar around $24
I know that seems expensive but they really do work. Or use your Joanne coupons to buy the blades. I wouldn't use a utilty knife or any thing like that on your fabric and it will ruin your mat and rip up your fabric. The only other thing you could do is go back to use scissors and cut everything by hand if you don't care about accuratcy, or time it takes. but I wouldn't waste the money on any other tool. Good luck I know You get frastrated. Donna

dritz. promise. better than fiskars. as good as olfa. less expensive than both.

shop around a little and you can find sharpeners for much less. (unless you and i use different brands and yours is better? is there more than one brand?)

Ok I bought a knife designed for walpaper, it will cut slice and trim ,even cloth and vinyl and metalic, .
the handle is $2.82 and a box of 100 blades is S5.98; these are a box of single edge razor blades. I always slip when I cut with the rotary cutter. I gave this a try and it works like a dream.,and no slipping. It will be less expensive to change blades and therefore I will not have to use much pressure and my cutting board will sustain less wear and tear.
They are the same type of blade only one is round.
I went to Lowes and they also had a selection of olfa cutters for different uses., and I won a ten dollar gift cirtificate for the next time I shop, so my purchase was free with change back.
I would like to get the same knife with a tilting head. which they were out of at this time
This is not a box cutter and is not designed for cardboard, nor is it a utility knife. It is designed for wall covering, which in most cases ,the quality stuff is not just paper.
The reasons for wanting something better is not just financial, I hate junk; when it has a sharp blade and falls apart in your hands; it is time for me to find something That works better for me'. I think less pieces and moving parts is better.... I don't need the fancy mousetraps. I hope this works out cause I LIKE it :roll: :lol:

Ruth, isn't there drag when you are trying to cut that way? I thought that the rolling blade was designed to prevent the drag or resistance when cutting fabric.

No drag that I have noticed yet, but of course I only cut for 20 minutes. I would think the drag would come from dull blades. At 5 cents each you can change blades more.often Only time will tell, as I use it more.

HI ladies I see you are talking about rotary cutters ,I have tried most of them and my favorite is the Olfa ,next to that I would choose the Friskars. Hope this helps ,oh yes the Olfa is ergonomicaly correct,easy to use
bye for now Wilma

How many layers of fabric will the wallpaper cutter go through?
I like the look of it.

I'm afraid I would have trouble keeping the blade accurate against the ruler edge. Even a 45mm rotary blade slips on me sometimes if I'm cutting lots of layers. Maybe I'm just clumsy.

I tried a shop knife my husband had once, and it nicked the edge of my rulers, so I went back to rotary. If I remember right it used straight razor blades and not the pointed box-cutter kind.

Do you slant the blade tip a little towards the ruler when you cut?

I stacked some fabric scraps 6 thick and it went through easily, and I do slant it. So far it hasn't slipped. I think I have more trouble with my ruler slipping. The cutting board seems to be ok to. Now I have to see how much cutting a blade can take.
Has anyone found anything to put on back of rulers to keep them from slipping. I know there are some new ones out, but other than slipping a little I really like the ones I have.

I stacked six layers of scraps and it went through easy,and yes I do slant it . So far it hasn't slipped. My big problem is rulers slipping, has anyone found a way to stop that. I know they have new ones that don't slip but I'm attached to the ones I have and really like them, other than the slipping. Could you maybe put something on it?
Some shop knives can cut nails off so be careful. Thats why I talked to one of the managers at Lowes,{just happened to be my son}, and fabric and wallcoverings are very similar.


The first message wasn't appearing.........so I wrote it again

they make little sand paper dots to stick on the ruler and it grips the fabric

Ruth there are some little silicone dots that you can get maybe at Walmart and stick them to your rulers. They are clear and come on like a little piece of cardboard. Just peel them off of that and stick them to the underside of your ruler. :)

I don't know what brand mine is, but it is the 65 mm size and no one sells re sharpend blades for it. I have had it forever and usually stock up on blades a couple of times a year at Walmart. They cost about 5 bucks a piece. But it has held up well, so I guess thats the main thing.

this is a hoot! who but a bunch of quilters could get so "het up" over something as mundane as rotary cutters.

the WalMart Wars are winding down. we haven't fussed about fabric sources in ages. we ran the Quilt Police out of town. things are slowing down around here.

who wants to start a ruler fight? round-headed pins vs. flat?

:mrgreen:

Ah ha well when it comes to pins I like them long and thin, as for cutters it has to be what we like, what works best for each of usl We have all had unique experiences with different products, and telling each other about it has been enjoyable and informitive. so long as no one says a four letter word s---, you know SNOW......this is NY and its snowing , might get 20 inches. yuck

four letter words are why G-d invented the BackSpace key and puts the "send" button down in the corner of the display. to give us time to think before we click. LOL

speaking of pins........... i do like them long but what is the purpose of the flat flower ones? you still have to remove them before you get there don't you?

The flower helps to keep them from sinking into the fabric and batting. My first two quilts had this problem and it was kind of funny.' hense the pin tops.

Vicki Reno. here is the site for new & resharpened blades. This is the best price I have ever found, and buy 10 at a time. The 65 mm is also available.

http://www.houseofhanson.com/lpsharp.html

So far my cutter is working good, I cut out a quilt , about 3 hours of cutting and squared some blocks of another. It did drag a little as it got dull,reversed it ane cut more. Today I put in a new blade. the blades are 5 cents , so far so good. It is probably easier for me to switch because I have only used a rotary cutter about 6 months. When I first started I used paper patterns and sissors. :roll:

I use the flat flower head pins more than any other kind - - - they work especially well if you need to use your ruler & rotary cutter with pins in the fabric (like for 'Stack & Whack' where you need all your layers to stay in the same exact place to cut). Plus, I admit it, I sew over my pins, and I have one flower head with needle holes in it! :wink: lol

sue

Love the flower head pins to ,Just finished a Stack n Whack quilt,and as you say they are great for that .I do not sew over them though ,would'nt want to harm my sewing machine Wilma Osmond

I am so glad to hear that your razor cutter is working well. We were all feeling a bit uncomfortable when you told us about using it to cut fabric.. Who knows, you may develop a new cutting tool for quilters. And it is not nearly as expensive as the rotary cutters.

About the pins. I have pinched nerves and little feeling sensation in my fingers, so I find the large quilting pins with the yellow balls on top, to be the things I can get hold of and pull out. We each have our own problems, and after a bit of trying, we find what works best for us.

Keep on Quilting.

June

I have 2 Olfa 1 Fiskars and 3 dritz and 1 Kia (various sizes) my favorite is the dritz and then the Kia. I use thr dritz more often paricaly because I can get the blades easier. But the Kia has a softer handle and a safty cover on blade that only moves while cutting.

Like that block you have showing,that is the Stack n Whack I just finished it .Is'nt it amazing how each block is so different Wilma

Glad to hear you all say nice things about Olfa as I just purchased two cutters and a mat on sale a Joanne's as a starter pack. It came with an 18mm, and a 45mm rotary cutter and an 18X12in cutting mat. The 3 pc. kit was on sale and was like $17.00 for the 3 items. The regular price on this size mat would have been in the neighbor hood of $24.00. Haven't tried them yet. But, was quite proud of my "score" at the time and feel even better hearing OLFA users giving the brand a thumbs up! Tho am somewhat surprised to hear Fiskars being given a lower rating as I have always sworn by the brands sissors.? :shock:

I use the long pins with the yellow balls. I wish I knew which brand I bought. they are nice and sharp and go right throw the fabric. I have had others that don't.

I buy the pins with yellow balls through J Hittle who is a wholesaler, but sells to the public. I think the quantity is about 500 pines. He also has good prices on rotary cutter blades at 10 blades for about $15. as well as other items. If you order $100 worth, you get free shipping.

http://jhittlesewing.funoverload.com...new_items.html

I have also seen those same pins at WalMart but they are more expensive in small quantity. I figure that I am going to be sewing for a long time, so why not stock up and not have to reorder.
June in Cincinnati

Love this site...that website is very interesting. would you use the fusible batting to make totes/bags?

Carol, when I made bags back about 4 years ago, I used some left-over batting and use some spray baste to hold it together until I quilted the pieces. I only quilted the body of the bag. But if you have it on hand, I don't see why you could not use the fusible batting. It sure would make the job easier.

June in Cincinnati

Thanks!! After breaking 4 needles...ruined my Supreme slider I finally just finished my Uncles quilt so plan on trying to make a Cubby Charm bag.