rotary cutter blades

[okie-quilter]

Does anyone know a better blade than olfa? It seems they sure don't last long. I bought a blade sharpener at Joans but it doesn't work well.

[purrfect-lady]

Hi Okie,

I have an Olfa, a Fiskars, and then, thinking that it would be great because of the name, recently bought a Gingher. For my money the Fiskars is the best. The Gingher was a disappointment to me. The blade keeps dulling QUICKLY. As a result, I'm having to use more force, which of course, negates it's claim that it cuts almost effortlessly. My Olfa has a straight design and after a day of cutting, my wrist hurt. The Fiskars stays sharper longer, and is more ergonomic. I suppose we all use different "body language" when using these tools, but this is my experience. mary z

[WeeOne]

I'm not sure which sharpener you bought at JoAnn's. I can tell you that I have one from:

http://www.usasharpeners.com/'>http://w ... eners.com/

I have found this one works very well. I bought one at a quilt shop and one, as a gift, from these people directly.
Lyn

[Quilter7]

Unlike Mary I love my Gingher. I find it is much sharpe than either Fiskars or Olfa. There is also a right and left handed Gingher. I am wondering if Mary needs to clean under the blade?

[Flystitch]

I have been told that if you take the blade out and reverse it and put it back on again it will last a bit longer. I have bought a similar looking cutter in the UK in a DIY shop for cutting wallpaper. It cost me about $3 and has been wonderful. I went back and bought 4 more !!! It is cheaper than buying a new blade.

[Rose92]

I, too, bought a left-handed Gingher, thinking it would be top of the line. Now matter what I do, how I hold it, how I change the blade, it doesn't cut well. It feels like a flat tire and has regular skips (non-cutting areas) and I have to apply so much pressure. Good thing I only paid $20 for it after all the Joann coupons. I am back to my trusty Olfa.

Linda

[MommyBVL]

I have a Olfa and a friskers I love my olfa I just buy five blades at a time and don't ever think about it I to bought a sharperner at jo anns and think it is a waist of money I don't like the friskers handle it hurts my hands my olfa is pink and it just tickles me to use it (I love pink) my cutting mat is pink to and my sewing room is light purple and pink but all in all I love my olfa Tina

[sewbug]

If you don't have the Gingher blade for the gingher cutter it's not much better than a regular cutter. The blades are coated and will last an extra long time unless you nick them. You can use the blades in most other cutters too. Amazon has them for about $8.

[Tiggersmom]

I've used the Olfa [several different varieties] for years and purchased the Martelli Ergo cutter and love it. the blade seems to stay sharper longer, but remember too that your blad should roll Very easily with a slight pressure when rolled across the matt. Most quilters screw their blade down too tight and don't forget to put one drop of oil on the blade near the hole. You can also get longer life from your blade if you take it out and put it back in with the original side that was facing out now facing in.

[mic-pa]

No one has mentioned about your cutting matt, how old is it? Does it need to be replaced. Does it have cutting ridges in it. That could also be a problem, cause it will dull you blades. Just wondering. Marge