Yea, I was bummed with my results, as the Olfa blades are outrageous. Within a week of purchasing the HF blades, I tried 3 different blades, and the result was the same...couldn't get a good cut, without the straight grain threads sticking out everywhere 1/4" or more. Maybe I am doing something wrong? I will gladly take any advice I can get! lol :) I even have a brand new mat.

:?:

I agree, Harabor Freight blades ars so reasonable, I don't bother with my blade sharpener anymore, just toss and get a new one........ have had good luck with these, and the price is right. Jacie

I do that all the time and yes it works wonderful.

I bought the dritz hand sharpener from Joann's and it didn't work very well. I just bought an electric one from connecting threads, $52. If it works it will be worth it with the expense of the blades. I bought $10 of harbor freights blades and most of them were just as good as the expensive ones. I had one of the expensive ones and compared them and the expensive one dulled faster than the harbor freight one.
I had tried a stone and lathe to sharpen but I am not steady enough to keep the right angle to sharpen. I will let you know what I think of the electric sharpener.
Lynda

My LQS offers trade in on blades. You take a in a dull one and she sells you a new one at a low price. Sorry, I don't remember the price. The replacement blades seem sharper than when I get new ones.

You might want to check out the carpet blades at Harbor Freight. A lot of folks here swear by them and they are really cheap.

http://www.harborfreight.com/pack-of...des-97642.html[/quote]

I bought lots of em and they are much sharper than the expensive ones from LQS! I used one for months without having to change it, I was shocked that it lasted so long. And it cut 'like buttah'

Waiting to see how the electric sharpner works out. Sounds interesting.

If you stop and think about it, the blades are designed to cut carpet. Fabric would be less of a challenge and that is probably why they last longer.

CharlotteO had posted a thread on sharpening rotary blades with aluminum foil a couple of days ago.

What is a LQS? Is it local quilting store? Just a guess. THank you for all of your replies.