Am I dreaming or is there such a thing as a ruler with an edge that will sharpen the rotary cutter as it is used? I'm having problems with my cutter creating a "perforated" strip instead of cutting nicely. I end up with several threads that are not cut. I've tried a new mat and that didn't help. Even a new blade, doesn't seem to be the answer. What's the problem?

It must be something in the way you're using the cutter if you still have uncut threads with a new blade on a new mat.

I am having the same issue, I don't have a new mat, but I did put in a new blade, so I will be interested in what others say. I did switch mats and still have the same problem.

I wish someone would invent one!!!!

Are you sure you do not have 2 blades in there? They can easily stick together as I found out. You should not be having this with a new blade.

often the problem. I always try pushing a new blade between my thumb and the next finger before inserting it to insure it's only one - sometimes it's two

For some reason the link won't post here but check out the Tru-Cut rotary system at I have a notion.com

If that doesn't work, try googleing I Have a Notion. They have both a blog site and a store.

I think some blades are just plain flawed. I have also put in a brand new blade, and it skips just ONE thread - at the same interval - over and over and over. GRUMBLE.

I think I did just see a picture of a newly developed ruler with a sharpening edge.

Definitely check the blade and also the angle at which you are holding the blade. Mine got a little wonky cutting the other day when I was pointing more towards the ruler than straight up and down.

Cheers, K

For what rotary cutter blades cost, they sure don't last long at all. Wish there was a cheaper way besides scissors. Seems like after a dozen or so strips they are dull, and the last ones I bought were Olfa blades. 5 for $30. Waay too much money!

I don't know of any ruler that has a sharpener, but someone on the board posted this sharpener and said it worked wonderfully.

http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...e+sharpener.do

I bought a Martelli rotary cutter over a year ago and I'm still using the original blade. It's just as sharp now as it was then. When I bought the cutter the guy told me their blades last 3 to 5 years.

I posted this before:

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-46778-1.htm

A quilter friend has a martelli rotary cutter. I thought it was weird looking with that off set handle but she loves it. I may have to check it out. Are the blades real expensive for it?

I just went to the website. Prices are not bad at all! 5 pack 45mm blades are 24.95 and the cutter is on sale for 19.95.

There is a ruler that has a sharpening edge. It's new.

http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloa...at-market.html

Thank you for the link, I had not seen this site and signed up for her newsletter.

Have you heard of any ratings from anyone on this?

You could check Ebay for rotary blades. that's where I get mine. --Linda--

good idea Linda, I hadn't thought of that.

The ruler isn't available now from what I read about it.

I bought this and it has paid for itself already. It won't remove nicks from the blade but it will put a sharp edge on it. I haven't changed my blade since I bought the sharpener.

http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...e+sharpener.do

That looks like a pretty neat sharpener, BellaBoo. I will have to put that on my wish list!

If you are cutting strips, check Nancy's Notions for the Fiskar ruler with built in cutting blade. It's called a rotary ruler. How unique.

http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...rrivals&page=1

I love mine (I know its pricey but have had it for years and use it for a lot more than fabric, I just use different blades). I didn't buy it here actually. I purchased at Walmart when it still had a fabric department. You might see it somewhere else. It might pay for itself in fabric in the long run. Mine sure has.

I use a Martelli rotary cutter also..and I always have a nice clean cut. My blades last forever also. According to the young man that sells the rotary cutter... that correct cutting is affected by the way you hold the cutter. Check out their website. You can use any brand of blades for this rotary cutter.

I also have this ruler/cutter and got mine at WM too. Blade dulled quickly on it too, but I haven't changed it yet. I'm still using the same Olfa 45mm rotary cutter I bought 15 years ago!

Thanks, I'll check their website. I'd hate to think I've been rotary cutting wrong all these years :roll: :roll:

You will get your blades to last longer if you flip them around when you think they are getting dull. Every cutter, I don't care who makes them, has a slight percent of angle to the blade. By turning the blade around you are getting a new edge (I've worked with a lot of different equipment over the years. There is always deviation.)

I also use an old rotory cutter. I explain to people all the time not all tools fit the job or the person using it That is why there are so many with the same purpose and different designs. It isn't all marketing (lots of money goes into development and design too).

I just know that if I am cutting long strips, I want a cutter that will stay with the same orientation every time. I don't want to worry that I might have tilted the cutter off angle or something.

Thanks Lab fairy, I'll try reversing my blades. I read somewhere about rolling it over aluminum foil, that will help sharpen the blades, but I haven't tried it yet.

I saw that online, was wondering just what that edge was made of

That's an interesting question. The honing blades for our knife sharpeners (a Lansky, not that nasty round kitchen thing that came with our knives) has some stones that appear to be like marble. A couple of the stones look rougher and grittier. We pick the stone to match the dullness (coarsest first, smoothest last). Something else for me to research. I wonder if there is a spec sheet for it somewhere.

take the blade off (be careful) as lint collects on them and someone said to turn the blade around

yes, I saw that ruler at quilt show in Columbus Ohio