ruler gripper
 

Has anyone used this product? Is it worth buying? I am hoping it will help me avoid rotary cutting my fingers.

If you mean the suction cup handle thingy then yes, I did get one of these when I started quilting but I got a klutz glove as well because well, I am a klutz.
I found the handle a bit awkward and I had a hard time keeping the long ruler from shifting on the fabric. The suction cups hold fine but you can't keep pressure along the length of the ruler. I never cut my fingers though.
I liked the klutz glove much better, https://www.quiltingcompany.com/store/klutz-glove-med . it has grip dots on the hand so that it holds the ruler and you can walk your fingers along the length of the ruler so you don't get shifting.
Safe quilting.

I have had the suction cup one for several years. Used it twice. Now it is in the garage sale box. We are downsizing and I am going through stuff i never use and getting rid of it.

I have one of those, and for me it was a waste of money. Worked for a while, but then I couldn't get it to stay down after I attached it. So it is now in the "need to get rid of" stuff.

I use grip strips on my rulers. They work great for me. No more finger walking up the ruler as I cut long pieces. They are available almost everywhere.

I won't cut without a safety tool. I have the large Gypsy Gripper and it's better then nothing for safety and I will use it if that is all available. I like the small round one though for odd shape rulers and templates. The best I've found is the Quilter's Slidelock. It's great. I also use the cut resistant glove when I'm at a class or workshop.

It works ok but the large suction cups cover up a lot of the lines making it more difficult to measure.

I don't like mine at all. It's way too big and covers up lines I need to use. For me a total waste of money.

Get a slide lock ruler

Slidelock rulers are one of the best purchases I ever made:
https://www.quiltersslidelock.com/slidelock-models/

I use the Slidelocks both to cut with, and just to place on top of other rulers before cutting. They help enormously with slippage and keep my ruler hand high and out of the way of the cutter.

If you can't afford the Slidelocks, the best ruler grips I tried (and I tried about half a dozen different types) are the grip strips: https://www.amazon.com/Guidelines4qu...dp/B009DF9DLA/
I have even used them under one of my June Tailor Shape Cut mats.

You do not need grip strips if you get Slidelocks.

I used mine once or twice. Tried giving it away but no one wanted it.

We've used them at the store for about 8 years. We still have 2 that we've used the whole time. You don't have to push down as hard, so if you're cutting all day long, it's easier on your shoulder. The grippers come loose sometimes, but we just clean them with water and a paper towel and they stick again just fine.

They are in the way for smaller accurate cutting, but for cutting yardage, it's great.

Something I've always done is to lay my hand flat on the ruler with my pinkie and ring finger off of the ruler. Ring finger holds the side of the ruler. I also have the glue dots on the bottom of my rulers. I also formed a handle in the middle of the ruler with the gray duct tape. I probably should get new ones, some ar 30-40 years old. lol

I have an O'lipfa 22' Safety Shield on my 6x24" ruler. It has an adhesive tape that really stays on and it works great just don't place it too close to the edge so that the knob of the cutter hits it. Had a customer come in and complain that her shield was always in the way.. I have had mine shield on that ruler for over 15 years. I don't need a shield on my small rulers I place Omigrid "invisiGrip" and they don't slide. We tried those grippers when I worked at the quilt store but the ladies cutting did not like them and that is when I placed the Safety Shield on the ruler.

I had the handle and found it cumbersome to use. I also thought it interfered with reading the ruler. Mine was donated to Goodwill.

Are you talking about the press on stuff that is see thru? If so, then yes and it works fine. I have also used some of the vinyl that I bought off the roll from Wal-mart (yes, the stuff you use to cover a table or can use for inserts or whatever) and it seemed to work as well. Some of my rulers/templates have it on and some don't. Which reminds me I should put it on the others.

I was teaching a 'safety with cutting tools' class and cut off the whole side of my index finger (ironic!). Pretty bad cut, to the bone and requiring 6 months in a cage with therapy (at least it happened at work). While it happened because I was not paying attention and was thinking about the next thing, it still scared me to the point that I purchased one of the suction grippers. Funny thing is that I required my students use it, but I don't use it. I think about it, but then don't use it. I do, however, focus on what I am doing and move my hand further from the edge!!!!!

OK, I'm confused. Do you just place the Slidelock rulers over your regular ruler? The Slidelocks don't look like they have any markings on them.

stabalizing your ruler
 

I use shelf lining rubber matting cut slightly smaller that the ruler I am using and it holds nicely to the fabric.

I use the clear "Nexcare" adhesive first aid tape on the undersides of my rulers. Cheap, readily available and see-thru. The tape is textured, so it grips the fabric and keeps it from sliding. I have put it on all my rulers and don't have a problem.

Adhesive backed sandpaper also works well, but is not see-thru.

I had a suction-cup handle and it went into the "give away" pile. Not worth the money.

thanks for all your responses but now i am more confused than before. i guess since i am a klutz i will try it.

There are a number of Youtube videos that demonstrate the Slide Lock ruler. They helped me understand how it is different from regular rulers that have a handle.

I use my Slide Locks as in the videos. However, I also use them on top of other rulers -- something the videos don't show. This is probably because of liability concerns. In other words, I will prepare as if I am going to cut with one of my regular rulers, and then just before cutting I place the Slide Lock on top of the ruler and press down. It keeps my hand up and away from the cutter and it also helps keep the underneath ruler in place while I cut. I even do this with my June Tailor Shape Cut mats! I place the Slide Lock just to the left of the cutting slot I am using, moving the Slide Lock for each cut. I find this helps keep the mat from sliding around.

Edit: There are others, but here are a couple of links to Youtube demonstrations of the Slide Locks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYOoRetnlfM&t=106s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-VKvtILhKE&t=54s

Mine's never been out of the box.

The dots, film or tape you use to keep the ruler from sliding will not prevent a cut from the rotary cutter. You can glue a ruler to the fabric and still get a bad cut. Word of caution: If showing a beginner how to cut either at home, class, quilt shop, or guild, if the beginner was not instructed to use a safety device, not have one for her to use while there, and to use one with no exception to cut with a rotary cutter there could be a lawsuit if the person gets a bad cut.