I need a new rotary cutter. I've been using one I purchased at Walmart and it just doesn't cut very good. I'm constantly having to go back and cut threads. Which one do you like best and why?

May not be the cutter, try changing the blade.

I like Fiskars. I have arthritis and it is the easiest to grip.

I have Olfa ones (28mm, 45mm, 60mm) I like them fine. Mine are the squeeze handle ones where the blade retracts when your not squeezing them..

I also have/had a fiskers paper cutting one that I didnt like, its too flimsy for me. wobbled too much for me.. and was too hard to squeeze.. Thought id try it since it was on sale..

im in search of a better one also...

i have a fiskars 45mm...bought it because they are known for their excellent sharp scissors...

cut a few strips/squares...had to sharpen it already and i notice i have to bear down on it even right after i sharpen it and it still leaves a thread or 2 attached

I also have all sizes and wouldn't trade them for any others on the market.

I've got several Olfa's. Like others said, have you changed the blade recently?

Love my Olfa cutters.

mltquilt

New blade after every other quilt, is what I've been told. Granted, I keep using the same blade until I put a nick in it, but that's me. (I don't always follow the rules ;) )

Olfa for cottins and Fiskars for fleece.

I love my Olfa cutter as well. However if you're going to purchase them I would tell you to wait until Joann's has their 40 or 50% sale. That way you can get the cutter and some replacement blades for a better price.

Has anyone tried the new rotary blade sharpener?

I have the yellow orbital sharpener and it works fine but there is no help for nicks in the blade. I like the Olfa ergonomic cutters the best. There are quick change cutters, save your money, it isn't that hard to change a blade. Fiskars is not that comfortable for me to use. I have arthritis and degenerative disc issues in my right hand. Prolonged use of anything that requires using my hand/wrist can result in a lot of discomfort. Joann's runs sales on them or use a coupon. I have tried Clover as well, not crazy about their cutter either. I did buy a titanium blade and cutter, forgot the brand name and I did like it, I like using 60mm blades. The bigger the better for me.

I like my Olfa cutters. I have one clover .. that the screw that hold the blade is just in the right place to hit the edge of my omni grid rulers, and it drags creating a ragged cut. Not sure if they have changed , but would not buy a clover 28mm.

picture did not come through.. so, was this for real? the blade is so thin..

I buy new blades. unless you live far away or dont' drive.. wow.. never would have thought about this one.

I have Olfa's--all sizes that close automatically when you release the handle except for the tiny one--it is manual; a few dollar bin cheapos that I use for fleece & paper and a Martelli 45mm. I love, love, love the Martelli for long cutting sessions but you have to remember to close the blade shield every time you set it down. Also, it only likes the blades without notches or it will wobble. There is a right & left hand version so make sure you get the correct one for you.

So, no, they are not made equal. You have to find one that is comfortable for you at a price you're willing to pay. For a good all around--easy & cheap to find blades for--I would recommend Olfa. For problems with carpal tunnel or hand strength--I recommend Martelli. For pretty--I recommend Donna Dewberry!

My Olfa cutters are like an extension of my hand. I even forgave them the pea sized fingertip accident since the cut was so clean I had time to get away from the fabric. That taught me not to use an old blade, now I use the extra cutter and old blades for paper and plastic and such. Course I bought them years ago, its one thing you can use a joanns coupong for.

Rotary Cutter are not all equal. I've looked at quite a few brands and listened to a number of quilters. Ergonomics and blade saftey are my primary concerns. The KAI Rotary Cutter came out on top due to the automatic blade shield that covers blade when not in use. When you do purchase a rotary cutter, buy the manufacturer's replacement blades not generic ones. Pay the extra money and you will find that they are sharper and last a lot longer. Make sure that you use a quality cutting mat.

Michael

If you have lots of cuts and grooves in your mat like maybe at the 2 1/2 or 4 1/2 inch marks where you make cuts really often it will cause it to skip threads too.

I have a fiskars 45". It had gotten a little wobbly on it. I contacted their customer service (fiskars are guarenteed for life). I took a picture of it to show proof I had one, and they sent another one out, brand new with 2 blades. I did not have to send the other back

A little off topic -

but it is also helpful to:

remember to change the blade when nicked or dull

make sure your ruler(s) are in good condition (they do get "off" after a lot of use)

make sure your cutting surface is still in decent shape - they also do wear out eventually

I was at Joanns yesterday. All their cutters are 50% off right now. No coupon needed.

Me too!

I've tried several different ones and I always go back to my Fiskars. I think I have 3 now because if I can't find one, I won't use another brand. I'll go to the store and buy another one. lol

This week, all quilting tools are 50% off at JoAnn's.

Which "new" one are you referring to? I've had an old one that I bought in 2006 made by Dritz. I do not know how there could be one that work any better. That 15.00 investment has saved me time and money, and has been worth every dime. Unless it just falls apart, I see no reason to get a new one.

Seriously, a right and left handed version? I bet the left handed one is more expensive. What is the difference? That just seems like another price gouge for those that do not know how to adapt. I'm left handed, btw, and I do just fine with all of my rotary cutters.

I've tried them all, Fiskars, Olfa, etc. but now won't use anything but my Martelli. I love it. And I can cut for hours without hand pain at the time or later. More expensive, but definitely worth it.

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.

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

We don't have a Joann's but I'm headed to the online store. thanks!

They are all on sale this week

They are all on sale this week

I have several different sizes and brands and they all work well as long as the blades are sharp.

Make sure your mat and cutter are the same brand. Each makes it for their cutters. There are differences.

Martelli Cutter!! It's the bestest!!!
This is from a person who has bad shoulders. It is ergonomic and is easier for me to use.

Yes, a right & left handed version. You hold it differently than any other rotary cutter. It has a handle that sticks out of the side. It's kind of like driving a bicycle. It's hard to explain but it really is easier to use and doesn't zap my wrist like my Olfa ones do if I cut for a long time. Oh, and the lefty version is the same price as the righty but mine is racing red. You get black.

http://www.martellicatalog.com/mm5/m...tegory_Code=RC

If you cutter is leaving threads here and there, that does not sound like a problem with the cutter itself. Either the blade has a nick in it, the cutting surface has a bad spot, or you are not holding the cutter with sufficient force against the fabric. True, a different brand may be easier for you to use, but it doesn't sound like that is the problem.

That's right. I changed blades about three times before I realized there was a divot in my cutting mat that was causing the blade to skip over the fabric.

Me too. I also don't have any arthritis issues. And, the Harbor Freight blades (45 mm) work in all of them.