I have now tried the Olfa, the Quilters' Select and the Martelli. The Martelli did not heal for me and had deep grooves, and I had to sand it down to prevent cutting my fingers. It was also very heavy and cumbersome.

The Quilters' Select I don't love because my fabric slides around on it. The Olfa and Martelli have a better surface texture, imo -- no fabric slippage, so an excellent surface for both folding and cutting.

My only gripe about the Olfa, and the only reason I sought out other mats, is because it is so difficult to see to cut dark fabric on the dark Olfa surface. My solution is to keep my Quilters' Select under my Olfa, and if I'm having trouble seeing to cut, I will slide the Olfa back and cut on the light side of the QS.

thanks Dunster. i may get one. i am about done with Olfa. in 1991 I got Olfa and still have it. it is a bit worn in the center. don't know when but years ago i got another Olfa and it's as worn as the older one is now. So i may like PINK!

Fiskars for me. ​I cannot stand the odor of a Olfa mat.

I have my first green mat from the early eightys. No lines. I had it cut in half so my daughter could have a part of it.
I have found that when I cut batts, they really stick to my new mats but not as much to this old mat.

Neither!

After using about every mat out there, I have found that the Martelli mats and Quilters Select mats outlast and out perform any other on the market. So - I watch for sales and get mine then.

I have had both, but someone here recommended a Marteli and even though it was more expensive I got one and it is the smoothest mat I have used, like cutting through soft butter.

I like the Olfa green for cutting. I've used Friskars and Martelli too. Check the final width and length sizes on the mat. Some are shorter by an inch. That might not matter depending on your projects.

Me, too. Then you can put the fabric at an angle and avoid getting "ruts" from cutting straight vertical or horizontal all the time.

has anyone used Uline mats? or Calibre Arts mats? Martelli may be out of my reach. I have so many blades by Olfa i want to continue to be able to use those. both my olfa mats are old but do not smell. i surely do not want one that does. or have a warning from California about it containing cancer causing chemicals.

All I have had were Olfa double sided. Color doesn't matter to me.