Recently, I put a new blade in my cutter, after having many "miles" (and a small bad/nicked area) on the old one. In a time crunch to get some written recipes out for a bridal shower, I ended up cutting recipe cards I'd printed on heavy paper stock with my rotary cutter. I know that's a dumb thing to do ... but I did it anyway. I haven't used the cutter for cutting fabric since but I don't doubt that I've dulled it. This got me to wondering how often others change his/her blades and whether you use a sharpener rather than just putting in a new blade. Don't know what a sharpener costs but even then I dislike the discard mentality and like to recycle or prolong use. Is it worth getting a sharpener? Do they do a good job?

I have tried a couple of different sharperns, and find it is really not worth while.

JMHO

I don't have a sharpener, but have wondered the same thing. I replace old blades, but I think I use them longer than I probably should. I don't cut through many layers of fabric at a time, so mine seem to last awhile.

I tried a sharpener many years ago. A waste of money.

I usually wait until my blades are about as dull as my table knives before I change them - which is an extremely inefficient thing to do - because when I finally change the blade, cutting is so much easier again!

(And I do have extra blades around.) I usually get my replacement blades through e-bay.

I have an inexpensive one. It helps a little. I can eek out a few more cuts but is not all that great.

Theres nothing like a brand new blade!

:lol:

I agree, but i have to say, i bought a sharpener a month ago and used it for the first time last week...I am SHOCKED how well and new it made my blade...It gave my blade a brand new life ( I don't know how many times i would sharpen the blades), but i am sold on it and will def. save $ on purchasing new blades.

I have in the past cut pola fleece and other polyester fabrics, never again, it dulled my blade after a couple of projects, I am keeping mine strictly for my quilting fabrics and to keep accurate I do not cut many thickness of fabric at one time.

Gal

I have sent my dull ones into a guy, L.P. Sharpe.com and he either sharpens them or replaces them with brand X which is just as good as I have used them. I don't know if he is still in business but you need at least 5 to send to him I think..I'll google and see if he is still in business

What kind of sharpener did you get? What's the brand name because I'd like to get one.

I have never found a sharpener that was worth the $ spent or the space it takes up :) And truly, there is nothing like a new blade. My fav thing is to use a 50% coupon at JoAnn's on a pkg of 5 blades - when I can find them! Too often they carry only singles. But the larger pkgs are like a treat for me.

Would love to know the name of the sharpner that worked so well :lol: I seem to be going thru blades at an alarming rate recently :cry: LOL

I agree that there's nothing like a NEW blade. If I'm starting a NEW PROJECT - I insert a new blade.

If I'm just cutting up scraps and the blade seems a little dull, I will use the sharpeners. I like them and they work well enough.

CAUTION: When rotary cutting and you hit a BUMP - STOP do not go over bump again - and again - and a third again. It's probably a pin! Ask me how I found out about this! LOL

The blade then had a nick in it and the sharpener took it right out.

LOL, i have to find it, i think little hands took it and hid it in their room lol

The cutter or the sharpener? If the cutter - RUN, don't walk, to find it.

Looks like this might be who you are talking about. I might give it a try. Thanks for the info.

http://www.lpsharp.com/3.html

I've wondered that myself. thanks for all the comments.

After a while I turn my blades around and use the other side of the blade. Then I use it for a while and then replace it entirely. I agree there is nothing greater than a new blade, but we do what we have to do to save money.

Yes, please tell.

Thank you all for your replies. I too would like to know what kind of sharpener you have, taiboo.

I just finished reading everyone's comments on sharpening blades and have a question. Have you heard that cutting aluminum foil can help sharpen your scissors? Has anyone ever tried sharpening your rotary blade the same way? I think I might give it a try. I do, however, keep a separate cutter for paper and have it marks so I don't use it for fabric.

At some (maybe all?) You have to ask for the 5 pack, sometimes they keep them in a locked cage. (just like the Cricut cartridges)

Ditto!

I love the feel of a brand new blade.

I just bought a blade sharpner and it's fantastic!! Its called TRUECUT by the grace company. I bought it at Nancy notions for I think something like 39.00. The first time I used it I couldn't believe how much better the blade cut. It will pay for its in no time!

What kind of sharpener did you buy??? I have the 20.some dollar one?

I resharpen my blades. I bought one fron JoAnns years ago.
I think it was $15.00 and I used my 40% off coupon. I can usually resharpen a single blade 2 times before replacing it.
Thus saving me money on blades I can use to buy more fabric!

I have a sharpener & it does help alot. I think I bought mine at JoAnns quite awile back. It doesn't help much if there is a nick in it but just for a little sharper edge it works fine. Makes the blade last longer. I do prefer a new blade but they are expensive so I try to get my monies worth out of them. I don't remember what I paid for the sharpener now but the name of it is Dual Rotary Blade Sharpener Twist n Sharp

you can buy replacement blades (5 in a package) at Walmart

Carol Doak, the queen of paper piecing says paper will not dull a rotary blade any faster then fabric will. She uses the same blade for paper and fabric.

I save my dull blades (write "dull" on them in marker) and then use them for paper and other non-fabric things.

What kind is it!?

I've tried 2 and neither works. Some knife sharpener people could have a nice little sideline doing this - maybe the people who sharpen electric clipper blades?
Read somewhere that cutting aluminum foil will sharpen them. I'll try that and let you all know.

:?:

I too have a sharpener. I think it works wonderful! I too like a sharp blade, but find that it does an amazing job and well worth it. When buying blades I always buy the 5 pack when it is on special too. Hancocks had them 50 % off about a month ago so stocked up then.

I purchased a sharpener when they first came out years ago - and thought it was a total waste. UNTIL a friend told me that it worked best to KEEP it sharp. Now, I sharpen blades really, really often from the time I take them out of the package, and I get great mileage out of my blades. I've replaced the emery/sandpaper wheel a number of times over the years for far fewer $$ than the savings on blades.

One caveat - the sharpener will not take out nicks. If you've nicked your blade, you may as well toss it.

I got a grace sharpener in Chi. and do like it..Of course it is not like having a new blade but close.. There can be no nicks in the blade ...nothing helps that:) Think the sharpener is $30.

lyn

I bought a sharpener. It was a waste of good money. Have any of you heard of flipping your blade over (when your not cutting paper or poly)?? When your blade seems to be getting dull, take it out of the handle, wipe off the lint, add a tiny drop of oil, flip it over and put it back in. You can double the life of the blade that way. Saves money and a trip to the store to get a new one. Be sure to mark the blade in some way so you know you flipped it.
I buy a package of 5 blades at a time. They are expensive. I use the plastic container they come in (once it's empty of new blades) to dispose of the old blades. The container will hold alot more than the 5 that comes in it. I haven't found a use for the dull blades, yet.

i try to get the most out of my blade as possible and probably do not change them as often as i should...they are so expensive...when i have to go over the cut 2 or 3 times to get it i break down and change it (and am amazed how wonderful my cuts suddenly are!) i bought a sharpener about 5 years ago, have broke down and used it a few times...when i really needed a sharper blade but could not go buy one. it does work...but to me it is HORRIBLY DANGEROUS!!! just the way you have to handle the blade it scares the crap out of me...i use paper towels to hold the blade to put it in the sharpener but you have to finagle it and...oh, i can't explain how it works, but i only use it when i have to...about 3 times in 5 years...i think they are starting to come out with ones that are not so dangerous, but for the few extra cuts you get from sharpening the blade i don't think it's worth the money. i save my (old) blades in a container for when i need to cut non-fabric items (like card stock) they may not be sharp enough for good fabric cuts any longer but they work great for paper cutting, plastic...other materials (even batting) that you would dull a good blade on. i have an (old ) cutter that i put tape around the handle so i know it is the one with the old blade to use on non-fabric cutting

Nancy's Notions have a big sale and 5 Olfa rotary blades are $19.99.

I too have tried the sharpners and they aren't worth it. I wait until I get a 50% coupon from Joanne's and buy new ones.Alice