I have a 45mm Olfa and a smaller one that I never use. My blades get a spin around the sharpener stone from time to time when they start to skip.

I've used them all but the best and the only one I use now is the Gingher Rotary cutter with the Gingher blades.

I still use the Olfa cutter I bought nearly 20 years ago. I have had no reason to replace it - it's not broken. I have a couple identical ones, too, given to me when a friend died.

Because I have taught quiltmaking for so long, I have tried just about every cutter out there, but I still end up with my Olfa. If I ever do need to buy a new one, it will be the Olfa retractable. That is the one I recommend to all my students.

If it is skipping threads or not cutting well, the problem is the blade. They do need to be changed more often than you might think.

I have Olfas big and small, but I use my Martelli all the time now, it is more ergonomic. Alas, it does not close automatically, but I do try to remember to close it. New blades make a world of difference. :lol:

The old blade skipped and so does the new one I bought to replace it. Maybe it is the operator. LOL

I have a Martelli that I use all the time. I used to cut sitting down all the time and it was great for that too! I also have Fiskers and Olfa. Have been tempted to try the Gingher but since I like the Martelli so much, I figure, Why Bother?

kluedesigns-I've got one, don't like it. They don't stay sharp long. I get my blades at House of Hanson-pack of 10 Olfa blades, $32.00, no shipping and handling, excellent service.

I wonder if the blade has been tightened correctly? I have an Olfa cutter and love it, but I do sometimes have difficulty figuring out how tight I need to make the nut that holds the blade in place. If the blade is so loose it wobbles a little, that can cause skipping and poor cutting. On the other hand, if it's too tight the blade doesn't turn well. Try experimenting with that aspect of the cutter, especially if you have some scrap fabric you could cut up.

The blades nick very easily, and the nicks are not always easy to see. A nicked blade will cut cleanly but skip threads periodically. A dull blade, on the other hand, is more likely to not cut cleanly through for the whole length of the cut.

I buy 10 or more blades at a time on eBay. Occasionally there might be a nicked blade right out of the package; I wonder if you got one of those. However, I think it's more likely that the blade is either too tight or too loose in the cutter. Yet another possibility is that your cutter is warped a little. Is your cutting mat in good condition? The brand of cutting mat can make a difference too. I think it's June Tailor that some people complain about. Most people like the Olfa mat.

That's good to know about needing to be tight so it won't skip! Mine frequently skip and it's just 1 darn thread! I was beginning to wonder if it was maybe even the cutting mat.

I think I have Olfa...it's yellow and you squeeze the handle to open it. You can lock it open, but I rarely do that.

I have three Olfas and use them all the time but I tried a Martelli at the Sewing Expo in Worchester MA this weekend and REALLY liked it. It was easy to use and less stressful on your hand (your hand "rests" on the top as you push forward rather than gripping the handle). Also the folks doing the demo claimed that the blades lasted longer (??? - or so they claimed).

I may have to add this to my ever growing Wish list. :roll: