Sponsors
Sponsors
Moderated by Sharon1952
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?
------
What do you do?
------
Mickie
http://sew-something.blogspot.com/
http://sew-something.blogspot.com/
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 --
------
d
-- Edited on 1/18/10 4:17 PM --
------
"I am still learning" ~ Michelangelo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I finally have a blog!
You can visit it at
www.zigzagthesewingrag.blogspot.com
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.
------
------
No sewing project is ever a complete success nor a total failure.
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.
------
------
I'm finally a blogger!
sewming.blogspot.com
sewming.blogspot.com
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.
------
I mostly try to buy blades when Joanns has them half price.
------
My grandmother taught me to sew when I was 10, and I've been sewing ever since.
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.
I prefer shears: last longer, easier to sharpen, and more accurate.
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?
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.
------
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.
------
With a great wardrobe that's still in the flat-fabric stage.
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!
------
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!

------
There is no easy way! Said by my Grandfather
2025: Sew 50 yds, 100+ better
Sewn: 16 1/2 yds
2 garment bags, 16 shopping bags, shirt mockups
New patterns/views sewn: 3
2024: Sewn: 84 & 7/8 yds
New patterns/views sewn: 29
2025: Sew 50 yds, 100+ better
Sewn: 16 1/2 yds
2 garment bags, 16 shopping bags, shirt mockups
New patterns/views sewn: 3
2024: Sewn: 84 & 7/8 yds
New patterns/views sewn: 29
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.
------
------
"Play the cards you are dealt, but choose who is sitting at the table"..AARP magazine
SEE MY ETSY SHOP HERE: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuntMaymesAttic
My blog: http://auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com/
SEE MY ETSY SHOP HERE: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AuntMaymesAttic
My blog: http://auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com/
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns







