Rotary Blades...is it just me?
 

Is it just me? My rotary blades don't seem to last as long as they use to. They seem to only stay sharp for only one project, they use to last for at least 4-5 projects.

I agree the blades only seem to last for one project if that, and I have tried ofla and fiskers and harber fraight dosen't seem to make much difference except some of the harber fraights don't work at all and some do ok.

I have noticed that at one time with a new blade you could cut at least 6 layers, now the most I will try is3.
Do others have this problem?

no I don't have this problem. my blades seem to last and last. No problem at all.

I don't seem to have this problem either. My cutters still have the same blades in them that came with them. I've been using some of them for 20 years. Can't comment on the new blades since I haven't had to change any of mine.

Some of mine don't last as long, and others seem to last through many quilts. I have finally convinced myself that if I think a blade isn't cutting well, it isn't. Too often I have thought..."Well, it will work better on this next cut," when it doesn't. Then I end up butchering my fabric! I sort of figure I am a slow learner. :)

Dina

I'm still using the blades I bought over five years ago so I don't know about the new ones. I do know the new packages of blades I have doesn't seem as heavy as the old packages. I thought it was just the package but it looks the same. I'm glad I have lots of 5 pack blades I bought on clearance when Hancock Fabric closed down. I bought every package there was, the clerk went in the back and brought out what was back there. None of the other customers wanted more then one pack thinking it was expensive at the time even with the clearance price. I bet they wished they bought more now that one blade is about $10 and the five pack then was marked down to $6.

Maybe it is your mat. Even self healing one wear out after many cuttings especially if you are cutting over and over again in the same area!

I thought it was just me. I got an elecric blade sharpener and I thought it was good until. . . . . I purchaded an "ergonamic Martelli"rotary cutter. Wow, the difference was amazing. It came with a blade and it cuts like a hot knife through butter. I did 4 layes and there was no effort at all. No strings stubbornly refusing to be cut. It would be worth it to me to buy better blades. Anyone know if these come is a 5 pack? I finished the first project and it's still cutting like brand new.

I use Olfas and mine seem to last as long as they always have. I have a separate one that I use when trimming up quilts after quilting as the poly in the battings (80/20) do seem to wear the blades out a little faster. Just a thought when you change your blades are you putting your cutter back together properly? I think they have a video out on the Olfa site. Also holding your cutter at the correct angle makes a huge difference in how it cuts.

Really? You have been using the same blades for 20 years?!?!?!?! How often do you actually use them?

Could it be that your cutting mat is worn out?

I have noticed the same thing! i clean them and turn them over and usually only get one more project out of them.

My blades last forever. I only change them when I think they are going to die of old age. I think the angle that you hold the blade does make a difference and I try to cut at different spot on my mat. Once I made a Buggy Barn pattern, and had to cut 18 layers. Changed the blade that time, but it cut just fine. I use Olfa and an Olfa mat. Also try not to hit the edge of your ruler. I think that dulls the blades.
Sue

I have noticed my blades don't seem to last very long. I did get a new mat.. it helped some but .. I still don't get the life I used to out of my blades.

I too have this safe problem. The first ones I had lasted for over a year, I changed them out and didn't even make it through one project! I bought the Ginghers ones and the Harbor freight ones, could not tell a difference, both lasted less than one project! So frustrating!

Stitchnripper; What kind of blades do you use?

Wow! 20 years! I can only wish for that.

I have had my mat for a long time, I guess I could try a new one. It's just frustrating because the blades cost so much. It seems the cost of my beloved hobby just keeps going up.

I use Harbor Freight, so far so good, but was commenting on drgranny who said she has used hers for 20 years!!!

I just bought a new cutting mat, beba's and I just love it. My cutters have never worked so well. My old mats were well used and soaking did not restore them. So maybe your problems are not the blades.

Purchase the blades that are made of titanium. Titanium is harder and stays sharp longer.

Rotary cutting blades are round razor blades. Would you try and shave your legs with a 20 year old blade?

drgranny; what is the name of the blades you use? Syl

I don't have this problem either.

I keep my blades sharp with Tru Cut electric blade sharpener. They have 2 qualities. I chose the more expensive one and have not regretted it. Now I always have a sharp blade. I usually buy Olfa brand with discount coupon.

No mine last at least for that long. Pretty sharp have cuts on hand to prove it!

My quilting friend were having this very conversation the other day. The blades just dont seem to last long. I have several different mats so don't think that is the problem. Going to pay attention to what they are made from. I wasted my money on the blue blade sharpener. Didn't help.

I received a new cutting mat for Christmas and my "old" blade cuts very well now. My old mat was not self-healing and had so many grooves in it from repeated cuttings in the same place.

I've noticed the same thing. I have a new rotary cutting mat and I almost never cut in the same place twice when trimming my blocks. I just put in a new Olfa blade and I'm getting skips over the seams. Second batch of Harbor Freight blades wern't good either. First was great.

I only use Olfa blades and have no problems. Once a year or so, I buy a 6-pack of them at Joann's when they are half off or when I have a 50% off coupon.

Has anyone 'oiled' their rotary blades with machine oil? I read recently that they need this maintenance occasionaly.

I've never heard of that. I'm going to check into it.

I bought a few blades from Harbor Freight but they didn't seem to last very long. I switched back to Fiskars and haven't had any problems. Before Christmas our Hancock's store had the 5 pack for about $13.00. Sounds like a lot, but before the sale price they were $27.00. The one I put in before Christmas is still going strong.

Martelli blades DO come in a 5 pack.................If you go to their web store on line, and sign up, they have a sale a few times a year where your entire order is 50% off.............I LOVE their blades. They last and last. I stock up on them when the sale hits on that site......

I agree it may be the mat. My Olfa blades get dull as I have the plastic cutting mat from Joann's and not the nice Olfa Self-Healing mat. I think the blades are weaker now than two years ago when I started sewing, I had two Olfa blades BREAK! on me! They were barely used and I was just cutting through one layer, no pins! That was scary.

I love their blades too! I have their cutting board too (purchased at an estate sale for $25) and it is smooth as glass!

I just turned my mat over because I have grooves in my mat, and it's only a couple years old. But I seem to use the same area, so it could be the mat as well.

I use Harbor Freights works great for me and a lot of local quilters I know. I thought the others were not lasting as long either, so I switched. Maybe it's because I don't cringe at the check out when I buy them!

I went to the Martelli site and watched the guy cut through 20 or more layers, with ease. I ordered the right handed cutter and 5 blades. The guy said he has had people tell him they have had their cutter for around 3 years and it's still going strong. He also said the way you hold a regular cutter also tends to dull the blade. He said nicking the blade is not the problem, it is the angle you hold the cutter that bends the blade, which you can't really see, but the bend misses the fabric and leaves strings behind on the cut. I will let you know ! Syl

I find my blades last longer on the new mat I bought at the sew/quilt expo here last summer. It is called Big Mat and it actually comes with a 5-year warranty. It is also made in USA. The surface is extra smooth. www.sewingemporium.com.