cutebuns

sounds like something I would do. I keep my blade in whenever I am not using it. though I left it out once and my son had the good fortune of picking it up and I don't know why but he touched the blade and cut his finger open. Not badly or anything it wasn't a new one. He was old enough to know better, he was 11

Steve

The prices of razors have skyrocketed this last few years so paying for blades, even before I took up quilting, has always been an issue. I find keeping good sharp blades, whether in the kitchen, on my face, or against fabric, is well worth the money spent.

:roll:

SaraSewing

But you said the secret word - he is a MALE. So many of those male creatures have to 1) touch it to see if it is really sharp, 2) touch it to see if it's hot, 3) kick it to see if it moves, 4) taste it to see if it's as good as it looks, 5) . . . you have the idea. Alas, you have a 11 year old. It will only get worse. (from a mother who knows!) Sara

Shadow Dancer

The only time I have had a nick in my blade is when I accidentally dropped it. I close my cutter when I put it down and I change my blade every second or third project. I keep the used blades for cutting templates and batting squares...(use the back of your cutting mat for batting and fleece or you'll end up with fibers stuck in the cuts..found that out the hard way... I now have a fleece/batting cutting mat! LOL) :)

donnaleeroberts

Just came across this recommendation for sharpening blades! I have not tried it yet myself but if you read the comments many swear that it works.

http://pennyshands.blogspot.de/2011/...ter-blade.html

susie-susie-susie

My blades last forever. It's been months since I changed blades, and I cut a lot. I always close the blade when I set the cutter down--well almost always. I have found that cleaning the lint out every once in a while helps keep the blade sharp. I rarely cut more than 4 layers of fabric and I cut sitting down. Guess I'm a "rebel".
Sue

Scissor Queen

I had a Martelli blade that lasted over a year and Gingher blades usually last at least 6 months.

babindg12200

When you hit the ruler it will nick the blade. It can also be the mat. You usually use the mat in the same place all the time. Try putting the mat in a bathtub full of room temperature water, and scrub it with a brush, to get any lint out. Then hang it up to dry or dry with a towel. The water helps heal the mat so you can cut, and not have to press down on the blade so hard. Hope this helps.

BellaBoo

When my cutter skips the first time, I change the blade. I don't wait for the second skip. My blades last a long time because I sharpen before they get dull. In other words, sharpen a sharp blade. I use the Grace sharpener that you don't have to take the blade out of the cutter so it's easy to run through it. I give it a run through every so often when I'm cutting. If the blade gets a nick it is a goner. I buy a new complete cutter every so often. It is plastic and the parts do wear out causing the blade to not stay on a true straight line when cutting.

lm wood

I am a new quilter, and am having a terrible time learning to use the rotary cutter. From the comments I am reading, I think I may be cutting against the ruler, this is a no-no - correct? Also, I just bought a "set" from walmart, fiskars I think. Should I invest in a better one, and which is your preference? I appreciate any and all help/comments. thanks