I have and really like olfa cutters. Recently bought the new Ginger (sp?)with a 50% coupon at JoAnn's and it's like cutting through butter!!!! Really nice.

The cutting blades need to be changed often. From what you say I think you need a new blade not a new cutter. :D

I really love my martelli also, I have several cutters but I usually end up using the Martelli. It feels so good in my hand.

I have the Olfas, too. I have the kind you squeeze and the blade comes out. It feels "rubbery" and it feels good in my hand.

Harbor fright sells 45mm blade for about 1.99 and they work well. I don't think the are the best, but at that price, you can afford to change your blade more often. When the rotary cutters start to leave string, it is time to change the blade. I notice this a lot when cutting multiple layers. However, when I cut a single layer, I don't get the string affect with a duller blade.

I have a gingher and just love it! I also have 45mm and 60mm Olfa and they work fine too. I only buy the blades at Joann's when they are 50% off.

Blades have to be changed pretty often.

I prefer my Martelli's. The bend in the handle makes it so much easier on my wrist and shoulder.

I have several different brands, but my favorite is my Gingher. I got it at JoAnn's for 60% off at a Black Friday Sale.

Olfa rotary cutters.

I have a couple of Olfa's and a Fons and Porter. I really like the F & P better. The blade retracts automatically, which is sooo handy. It's not ergonomic, but it works well.

I waited till I got a sale price on the Gingher rotary cutter - well balanced and not too heavy - it cuts great !!

Love my Olfas. Try changing the blade.

I agree - Olfa is the best

I have this same left handed cutter. One great advantage for me is that since I have RA, standing for a long period of time is painful and I am able to do almost all of my cutting sitting down with the same accuracy as standing.

I have the new Tru Cut electric rotary blade sharpener.
It works fine. Except it doesn't take out the nicks.
It does extend the life of the blade as long as the blade just needs a touch of sharpening.

To the post that said after sharpening the blade there were still threads that had to be clipped. That means there is a nick in the blade and no sharpening will take it out.....
Toss the blade.[/quote]

It does not always mean a nick in the blade, maybe it is a bad mat. Sometimes when your mat gets used so much it does not heal it will leave a negligible groove and when you cut across it it will leave uncut threads.
I have used a Martelli cutter for the last 8 years and wouldn't trade it for anything else. When I put a new blade in I can cut 20 layers easily. I have to step down to about 12-14 layers when the blade gets used a lot.
These cutters are true ergonomic cutters and for anyone with arthritis, carpel tunnel, or hand fatigue they can't be beat. They even take the strain off a bad shoulder because you don't have to put your elbow out to the side and cut at 45 degrees.
You cut with the normal swing of your arm at 90 degrees straight out from your body. Since you have better control of the cutter straight out, there is less chance of veering off the side when cutting. The 45 degree cutters cost about $25.00 which is less than the new quick change Olfa cutters which run $30.00. I a real fan. I have both the 45mm and the 60mm cutters.
OzarksGma

I personally love my Martelli rotary cutter! The blades last a very long time - I cut a lot of fabric and have only had to change the blade once in almost 2 years.

I have tried all the cutters - Fiskars, Olfa, etc. - and believe it or not I prefer the Dritz. It seems to fit in my hand the best.

I also tried one of those yellow orbital sharpeners and found it quite lacking. I did hear that there are folks you can mail your used blades to that will sharpen them and mail them back. Anyone got an address or website?[/quote]

I sharpen the rotary cutters, both 45 and 60mm. I own a shop and sharpen the rotary blades and scissors. You can mail them in and I will sharpen and mail them back to you.
OzarksGma

Love my Gingher !

I see in the paper that JoAnns has all rotary cutters and supplies at 50% off[/quote]

The only problem with JoAnns, they don't carry the Martelli. Top quality and they are worth every penny even paying full price. If you've ever used one, there is no going back to the old cutters no matter what brand you used.
OzarksGma

I've tried all the rest and have settled for the best...Gingher, they are the best. They make excellent scissors as well. A pricey rotary cutter, but there is no comparison to anything else. They are expensive, but worth every penny.
Blessings,
MaryAnna[/quote]

Haven't tried the Gingher rotary cutters, I use Martelli.
Gingher used to be an excellent source for scissors, but since they moved their production facilities from Italy to Mexico they are not worth carrying out of the place you purchased them. They do not hold an edge so they do not stay sharp very long, they have to be sharpened more frequently which shortens their life tremendously.
OzarksGma

I like one with a curved handle. I have a blade sharpener that you can leave the blade in to sharpen it. I love it.

Has anyone tried the rotary cutters from Connecting Threads? They have 2 styles from True Cut, a straight one and a "bent" one.

They also have another bent one called Ergo rotary cutter.

I see that Connecting threads is also coming out with a electric rotary blade sharpener for $65, on sale now for $52. For that price, it had better be pretty darn good!

Try putting a tiny drop of oil on your cutter blade. Sometimes that helps the blade to work better.

I have all sizes of the Olfa. They are all I've ever used.

using OLFA right now but when I need to purchase new, I was thinking of the new CUTTING EDGE RULERS and CUTTERS.

The ruler's edge has something built in to help keep the blades of the cutter sharp.

BUT,,,until I need new, I will continue to use the Olfa......

I will never use my blade sharpener again. I'm scared of it to begin with, so DH said he'd sharpen all my blades for me and before he knew it he had a deep cut on his thumb. It was bad enough for stitches, but like most men refused to get it checked. Kept splitting back open and bleeding for several days. Me sharpen after watching that? Nope! I'll just keep buying new blades.

Martelli, Martelli, Martelli!! Mr. Webster hasn't got the word to describe how wonderful this rotary cutter is!

There is a difference. Pick the cutter that fits your hand best and then buy Olfa blades. I do like the blade from Harbor Freight - they seem to last longer and are certainly cheaper. I wish they had them in 60 mm. It really is the blade that makes the difference. Don't skimp there!!!

Changing your blade in your rotary cutter is like changing your needle in your sewing machine. I don't mean to sound mean here, but it is called maintenance. Change your needle in your machine, oil your machine, and change your blades when they make you work. Happy Quilting!

Joann's has a good sale on things right now....but not sure if rotary cutters are on sale. You could check on their website.

It isn't always the cutter that is a problem - could be the mat. I have a whole table cutting mat that is no where as good as the much smaller mats.

The brick and mortar stores may not carry the Martelli's but their website does! :)
AND they are on sale now!

http://www.joann.com/joann/search/se...questid=156086

Have used and like fiskars for years. Tried olfas and didn't like them. Have never tried clover.

I like the kind that when you press down the blade is engaged and when you let up the blade retracts. No problem getting cut with it or forgetting to retract the blade. Jan

I'm sure it is not the cutter that is giving you fits. It is more likely the blade. Sometimes it is the cutting mat. If you use the same places all the time to cut, they could be worn out and not as forgiving as when the mat was new.

My Martelli cutter which I have used for about 6 or 7 years just broke!! I am bummed. But, I love that cutter. It is only a spring that broke, I will probably e-mail the company and tell them, but in the meantime, Connecting threads has it on sale for 20% off so I ordered a new one last night along with some platinum needles and some thread.

Oh, just saw post from incoming. that's a better price than I got! I looked at JoAnns on Monday but they do not carry them in my store, I assumed (falsely) that they just did not carry them. That's a great price for the 5 blade replacement pack!!!!

The Ergo one is the Martelli cutter. I just ordered myself another one last night!

Love my ergonomic Martelli cutter, with their blades. Blades are more costly, but stay sharper much longer, cleaner cuts, less stress on my hands and wrists.