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Member since 2/8/07
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Posted on: 1/18/10 3:47 PM ET
I have discovered the joy or rathere the ease of using rotary cutters,, my question is, do you bu new blades when you need them, or do you buy a sharpener,, I am guessing it would depend on how much you use them,, I have the 45 mm cutter,, and I am planning on doing a lot of sewing/crafting,, so I am thinking I probably need to invest in a sharpener,,

What do you do?
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Member since 7/29/05
Posts: 717
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Posted on: 1/18/10 4:16 PM ET
In reply to sewbluetiful
I'm looking forward to hearing others replies. I have 2 sharperners and maybe I'm just not using them properly but my blades don't seem to be all that sharp afterwards but if someone has got it figured out, I'd love to know.
d
-- Edited on 1/18/10 4:17 PM --
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Member since 12/3/05
Posts: 6572
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Re: Buying new blades vs sharpening,, (posted on 1/18/10 4:47 PM ET)
I bought a sharpener a few years ago and thought it was completely worthless. One way to refresh the blade is to apply a little sewing machine oil to it. I also replace the blades whenever I need to.
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Member since 5/17/05
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Re: Buying new blades vs sharpening,, (posted on 1/18/10 5:22 PM ET)
I buy my blades off of Ebay instead of trying to sharpen them. You can find some great deals on Olfa (and Fiskars) rotary cutters and blades on that site.
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Member since 8/24/02
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Re: Buying new blades vs sharpening,, (posted on 1/18/10 7:00 PM ET)
I wasn't strong enough to make the sharpener work, but if I gave it to my husband to use when he watched TV, the blades came out perfect.
I mostly try to buy blades when Joanns has them half price.
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Member since 6/8/09
Posts: 485
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Posted on: 1/18/10 7:02 PM ET
My mother is a big quilter, and has a gazillion rotary cutter blades. I've sharpened them for her by putting them in a mandrel, mounting the mandrel in a drill press, and using a stone at the bevel angle of the blades. This works well, is fast (about 20 seconds a blade, and a minute to change the baldes in the mandrel), but it's not something I'd really recommend to most people. The commercially produced sharpeners I've seen have been garbage, but there's no reason one couldn't be made; it's a pretty simple edge to sharpen.

I prefer shears: last longer, easier to sharpen, and more accurate.
  
Member since 2/22/09
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Posted on: 1/18/10 9:29 PM ET
Honestly, I have an Olfa 45mm cutter and I have been really surprised at how long the blades last. I don't have a sharpener and I don't feel the need to get one given the milage I'm getting. I have a couple of self-healing mats and only use the blades on them. I wonder if the non-healing cutting mats rip through blades faster?
  
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Member since 7/30/02
Posts: 8991
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Posted on: 1/19/10 5:57 AM ET
Unquestionably new vs sharpening, if you are using the little home-version sharpeners. Sharpened blades will work to cut out patterns, but not on your nice fabric.

Maybe if I have my DH use the sharpener; haven't tried that.

Another option is L.P. Sharp. I haven't used them, mostly because I didn't know if they were still around becuase their site had not been updated. But this site is brand new (well, since the last time I looked) so they must still be in business. I have been saving my old blades and will send them in to them.

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Member since 10/29/06
Posts: 6386
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Posted on: 1/19/10 7:03 AM ET
I have done 2 reviews on this subject. Throw your sharpeners away.
To sharpen the blades, use aluminum foil. Fold into several layers and run your blade thru. This works for scissors also. I read this tip in my local ASG newsletter. My mom used to do this years ago. The blade won't last along time with this type of sharpening, but I just keep running it thru when needed, which extends the use of my blade. This technique will not remove nicks. Buy new blades when needed. Also fleece dulls blades quickly.
Good luck & happy sharpening!
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Member since 8/24/02
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Posted on: 1/19/10 8:01 AM ET
In reply to sewbluetiful
I can't recall the last time I bought blades. I have a 45mm cutter, and I sharpen the blades all the time. Now of course, I don't use it on wools and synthetics; only cotton and cotton blends. But when I saw the price of new blades, I shuddered (about $10 a blade) and bought a sharpener.
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