Recommendations for cutting mat
 

I need a new cutting mat. I have a fiskars 36 x36 and it only lasted 3 years. Is that typical?
Are some cutting mats better than others? Before I buy another, I thought I'd ask you for your opinions. Thanks!

I have had mine a lot longer than that it is olpha the green mat

I've had my same Olfa for years and years. All the LQSs around here have Alvin's, which are carried by many art supply stores.

I like my Olfa. Before thatI had a Fiskars which I'd had15 years ( and still use it under my Olfa. I have heard positives about both, except that sometimes they have strong chemical odors. I went to Joann's to get one I could smell rather than chance it through the mail and the ensuing hassle of returning a smelly one. I chose the one hanging at the back of the rack because I figured it had been hanging there the longest (and had time to air out). It was fine. That was maybe 18 months ago and it's a great mat.

I'm still using my original Olfa mat - it is at least 25 years old. But I have not been using it non-stop. I have 2 Olfa mats - a smaller one that is now in my traveling bag, and a friend gave me her 36 x 36 white mat that gets used for cutting very long pieces or trimming a quilt. I also have a June Taylor ironing/cutting mat that is getting towards the end of its usefulness. And, a few years ago I was told at an Olfa Rep that if you soak them for 15 minutes in warm water they will last longer, so I started doing that.

I have 3 different mats including the Fiskars. I think it all depends on whether or not you use it daily and how you take care of it. Mine has always laid flat or hung perpendicular on the wall never rested on its side. I also wipe it off right after I'm done. I don't allow it to bend at all.

I prefer my Olfa, but my Fiskar's is larger and the one I keep on the cutting table. My Fiskars was very worn and I cleaned it, then an EXTREMELY fine sandpaper and smoothed it down using light circular motions. Then recleaned it with a Mr. Clean's white sponge. Really helped.

The fiskars cost a lot less but don't last as long. So you pay now or pay later. You can soak your mat in a tub of warm water and a cup of white vinegar for an hour, let dry and it will revive the mat

I love my Martelli mat. I also have Olfa, Fiskars and Omnigrid, but the Martelli is by far my favourite.

I have the same 24x36 Olfa I have had for 18 years. I have bought smaller mats to haul to class, but that is my go to mat for most cutting and it is still in good shape.