Jingle

I fell for buying cheaper blades by 10 per pack. They are duller than the Fiskar blades I was replacing. Now I only buy and use Fiskar blades. They are about $3.60 per blade well worth to me.

peaceandjoy

It seems like a lot of people have problems with rotary blades. So far, I'm lucky - I've not had problems. Yes, they do get old and not as sharp, but not in an unreasonable time. I do use a Martelli mat, and love it for its own merits. Not sure if that makes any difference, though. I also have their cutter, but don't use it as it's a very unnatural position for me. Hopefully, I won't ever get to the point where I need to use that style.

I buy my Olfa blades in a multi-pack when they are on sale. The larger packs are a bigger investment, but much more economical per blade.

SillySusan

I've been buying Sewology blades in 5 in a pack containers. They come individually wrapped so you don't accidentally use two at a time. They are inexpensive at Hobby Lobby with the 40% off coupon, and seem to last as well as the name brand ones.

fruitloop

I think a lot of a blade getting dull is how it is used. If you put pressure on the blade to cut into the mat then the blade will get dull faster. A good cutter with sharp blade does not need much pressure to cut fabric. If you are pushing down on it to go into the mat and not stay on top of it then of course the blade will get dull. A weighted rotary cutter have enough pressure without adding any. Quilter's Select, Tula Pink, Ginghers are all weighted.

petthefabric

A new quilter was dulling & nicking a blade with every quilt. After watching her technique realized she wasn't cutting along the template but leaning the blade to the left and angle the cut to the left. She was cutting the template and fabric. She realized what she was doing when the template was removed and she practiced cutting a straight line. Now her dulling blades is similar to everyone else.

Not saying anyone is doing this, just an enteresting experience.

Snooze2978

I find using the right mat helps the blades last longer. My old mat was just a main brand mat but my rotating mat was a self-healing mat and I found my blades cut better and lasted longer so when I went to make a larger cutting table I searched for a self-healing mat. I also have a blade sharper from Nancy's Notions and found if used correctly it did sharpen my blades. Also heard if you turn the blade around when it starts to go dull it will give you some extra cutting time. I sharpen my blades once when they go dull on me, use them again and when they start to go dull on me again I use them in my rotary cutter for "paper only". I label my rotary cutters so I don't get them mixed up. This way I'm getting a second use out of them before I finally toss them out. I keep the containers they come in to keep the blades that need sharpened and those that need to be tossed so I don't get them mixed up.

luvstoquilt

I use and love Olfa titanium blades. They are a bit pricy but they last quite a while. I sharpen them once before they are tossed. I think a sharp blade makes all the difference in cutting my fabrics evenly.

Onebyone

I sharpen a sharp blade and it is always sharp unless it gets a nick. I use the Grace vertical blade sharpener. Same principal that men used when they sat and whetted their knives every day. Sharpen a sharp blade.

Kitsie

If you are talking about "Premium" brand blades available on Amazon I'm sorry they are pricey up north! They are my go-to down here. Very well made and inexpensive.

Kitsie

Ooh, thanks for that info!