I use all brands of cutters with any brand of mat. Also use different brand of blades in different brands of cutters. How else will I know which ones I like best. I take a selection of different brands to retreat so anyone can try them out before buying a different one. The Quilter's Select rotary cutter is the one everyone loved at the last retreat.

Olfa for me... every time. The fishers mats slip around too much.

After spending big bucks for years on cutting mats that didn't seem to last; I finally evaluated how and where I cut on the mat. I press hard due to a hand injury and seem to always cut in the same general area. I've started buying double sided mats whenever I can find a bargain or use a coupon. I also lay an old mat over my good one when squaring up blocks and the cutting lines aren't needed.

I don't get the expectation of a mat should last for years if used regularly. I buy a new mat I use the most at least every two years. My blades seem to last longer using a newer mat. Some say turn it around, flip it over, sand it down, soak it in water, why? a brand new one eliminates all that.

Gee, thanks, Dee ! I wonder if I will remember this the next time I want to cut some batt.

I like this idea ... I never liked the batting embedded in the mat

I'm happy with my Olfa mats. I have used a couple of others when at workshops, etc. But, I really like the Olfa's I have at home.

I buy what is on sale and get the largest I can afford.

I have a couple Olfa mats, a huge SewFit one that I bought second hand and Fiskars rotating mats.

The SewFit one had been used by a kite maker and it has scratches, some glue, paint and a crack, but it still works for my purposes and is great when cutting out fashion patterns.

I have pink Havels mat and really like it. It is a bit thicker I also have a bigger Olfa which I use for trimming a quilt from the long arm.

I got the Martelli set for half price last year and never used it much, but I started a little project where I had to trim a layer cake, starch, press and then cut into pieces. I noticed that the Martelli doesn't grip the fabric like an Olfa...the fabric just skids on this mat more. Ironing scared the snot out of me. After about 15 layer cake squares I noticed a foul odor. It turned out to be the board under the ironing surface. It got so hot I couldn't touch it. It smells foul because it's just pegboard. I had to stop and let it cool down to finish the pressing. The next day it still smelled. I boxed it up and there it will stay. Also the surface is warped (yes it was stored flat) and that causes the cutting and pressing mats to start slipping off the rotating part. Definitely not a happy camper, but I'm glad I didn't pay the full price.