HELP-Quilting 101
#1
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 42
HELP-Quilting 101
Fabric-CHECK
Cutting Mat-CHECK
Ruler-CHECK
Rotary Cutter-CHECK
Sharp Cutting Blades-aaahhhh-sadly no check here
OK, ready to start my Christmas stocking today and low and behold, I had not one, not two but THREE dull rotary cutters! I should have thought of that when I decided to quilt again. My scissors worked fine but it sure was a lot more work. Luckily it is a small project!
Question 1:Is it cheaper to replace the blade or buy a new cutter? The cutters themselves are old but work fine. One is a no name, one a Fiskars and one a Olfa.
Question2:If the blades are more economical, how do I know what kind/size to get?
I will need to use my scissors for a while but would like to know this for when I can replace them.
Thanks for your help!
Louise
Cutting Mat-CHECK
Ruler-CHECK
Rotary Cutter-CHECK
Sharp Cutting Blades-aaahhhh-sadly no check here
OK, ready to start my Christmas stocking today and low and behold, I had not one, not two but THREE dull rotary cutters! I should have thought of that when I decided to quilt again. My scissors worked fine but it sure was a lot more work. Luckily it is a small project!
Question 1:Is it cheaper to replace the blade or buy a new cutter? The cutters themselves are old but work fine. One is a no name, one a Fiskars and one a Olfa.
Question2:If the blades are more economical, how do I know what kind/size to get?
I will need to use my scissors for a while but would like to know this for when I can replace them.
Thanks for your help!
Louise
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,140
I buy multi-packs of blades. You will need to look at your rotary cutter to decide what to buy. You cannot switch sizes so you'll need to know whether you have an 18, 45 or 60mm cutter. If it is Fiskars, I'd use Fiskars blades. If it's an Olfa, Olfa blades. But that's just my personal opinion & experience. There are plenty of members here who have bought other blades & had good luck with them.
I buy the multipacks from Amazon -- 10 blades for $19.99 with free shipping for Prime members.
EDIT: I think the ones that are 10 for $20 are mislabeled. I posted a question, but unless I hear otherwise, I'd probably go with the ones that are 5 for $15 so I knew they were Olfa.
http://www.amazon.com/Olfa-Rotary-Bl...fa+45mm+blades
Also, I think the 3rd party brand that others here usually recommend is Improved Cut. They are half the price of Olfa on amazon.
I buy the multipacks from Amazon -- 10 blades for $19.99 with free shipping for Prime members.
EDIT: I think the ones that are 10 for $20 are mislabeled. I posted a question, but unless I hear otherwise, I'd probably go with the ones that are 5 for $15 so I knew they were Olfa.
http://www.amazon.com/Olfa-Rotary-Bl...fa+45mm+blades
Also, I think the 3rd party brand that others here usually recommend is Improved Cut. They are half the price of Olfa on amazon.
Last edited by Bree123; 11-21-2015 at 05:50 PM.
#3
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Tn
Posts: 9,059
Always buy blades when on sale or with coupon. There are 3 sizes but the 45 is most common. I buy the multi pack with 60% coupons. With Black Friday coming you may find some great deals. Welcome back to quilting
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Tulsa, Ok
Posts: 4,582
I think it is much less expensive to buy replacement blades. Like Bree, I buy them in packs of 5 or 10 blades, and I buy the same brand name blades as my cutter, Olfa in my case. Use a coupon or just whatch for a good price on eBay. With shipping, it seems they usually run $1.50-2.00 per blade. I think there are only three sizes as mentioned above.
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,572
If you are unsure of the size of your cutters, take them with you to the store. JoAnns carries a supply of both Fiskars and Olfa. I, too, would stick with the same brand blade as cutter. Not sure if there are proprietary mechanisms in either brand. I have an Olfa cutter. It's about 15 yrs old and I have no need to replace it...just the blades.
#6
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 200
I used to buy replacement blades all the time. However, a couple of years ago I picked up a True Sharp Sharpener which is very easy to use and puts an amazing sharpened edge on the blades. Way less expensive than buying new blades all the time.
http://www.joann.com/true-sharp-sharpener/11491164.html
Lynda
http://www.joann.com/true-sharp-sharpener/11491164.html
Lynda
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,857
buy blades in multi packs. If you have a 50% coupon, buy at Joanns. If not, buy on amazon. Beware of some outrageously good deal - probably not good quality and will dull quickly. As with scissors, if you are cutting fleece, the blade will dull quicker. I have never had a problem using any brand in either cutter. You probably have a 45 (the most common for beginners). As an FYI, the smaller ones are used for cutting curves and smaller areas and the very large are easier when cutting lots of long cuts (bigger wheel, less turning). But you are fine with using a 45 for a long time!
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