Stitchnripper

Really? You have been using the same blades for 20 years?!?!?!?! How often do you actually use them?

dunster

Could it be that your cutting mat is worn out?

cmilton

I have noticed the same thing! i clean them and turn them over and usually only get one more project out of them.

susie-susie-susie

My blades last forever. I only change them when I think they are going to die of old age. I think the angle that you hold the blade does make a difference and I try to cut at different spot on my mat. Once I made a Buggy Barn pattern, and had to cut 18 layers. Changed the blade that time, but it cut just fine. I use Olfa and an Olfa mat. Also try not to hit the edge of your ruler. I think that dulls the blades.
Sue

Lori S

I have noticed my blades don't seem to last very long. I did get a new mat.. it helped some but .. I still don't get the life I used to out of my blades.

LAQUITA

I too have this safe problem. The first ones I had lasted for over a year, I changed them out and didn't even make it through one project! I bought the Ginghers ones and the Harbor freight ones, could not tell a difference, both lasted less than one project! So frustrating!

ThreadHead

Stitchnripper; What kind of blades do you use?

Micha

Wow! 20 years! I can only wish for that.

I have had my mat for a long time, I guess I could try a new one. It's just frustrating because the blades cost so much. It seems the cost of my beloved hobby just keeps going up.

Stitchnripper

I use Harbor Freight, so far so good, but was commenting on drgranny who said she has used hers for 20 years!!!

mucky

I just bought a new cutting mat, beba's and I just love it. My cutters have never worked so well. My old mats were well used and soaking did not restore them. So maybe your problems are not the blades.