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I am looking for a new paper trimmer. My current guillotine was damaged in our last move (and it cut crooked before that anyway) so I have decided to get a new paper trimmer.
I have decided that I want a rotary trimmer, with a self sharpening blade, that can take up to 12x12 paper and card.
Can any one recommend one? Or tell me what kind of experience you have had with yours?
So far I have found a fiskars, making memories and dahl trimmer that are all self sharpening and rotary.
I just purchased this one a couple of months ago and after much use, I gave my daughter my old trimmer. I LOVE this thing. I don't have batteries in it, so I haven't tried the light, but it works great without that.
I've had the Making Memories one for about 5 years now and I'm still liking it best. Yes, the numbers have faded but with minimal maintenance, I'm still getting straight lines and clean cuts. I used to have the Fiskars and didn't care for it. I have heard great things about Dahl but it is outside of my budget.
Here is a shout out to the new stampin up trimmer. My old purple fiskars had all the markings worn off and I decided to check out the new one my demo was just using. I love it. There is a clear layer over the marking so they won't wear off. The guide extends past the 12 inch mark so the scoring bade stays at the top and you can still cut a 12 x 12 sheet. The blade isn't self sharpening but it seems to have a long life. It isn't rotary so you may not be interested in it for that reason. But I love it! It also has a compartment underneath for extra blades.
I have the Making Memories trimmer, and love it! The first one I bought several years ago had a problem with the grid lines fading. I think the ones made around that time all had this problem. I contacted Making Memories, and they sent me a brand new one, no receipt or questions asked.
The new one is now "old", lol. I've used it for several years. It works just as well as the day I got it. The self-sharpening blade is my favorite feature. It makes clean, crisp cuts time after time.
Some people have complained about a "squeeking" noise when the blade slides along the cutting bar. This can be remedied easily if you wipe the bar with some WD 40, household oil, or even a little Pledge furniture polish on a paper towel.
It's pretty heavy and sturdy, but folds up easily. It might not be the best trimmer if you want something to put in your bag and take with you though. I always craft at home, so that isn't a problem for me.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
toodlesyall - oozak sells a Dahle rotary trimmer 12.5" self sharpening for $50. The rest are way beyond my budget (and needs!) too
cardmaker2 - I am way too lazy to replace blades. I am looking at a rotary one, because I have found without the bar to hold the blade straight, I tend to cut wavy lines...
chautona - o_O I wanted to buy the cutter pillar just because it is called a cutter pillar! It looks pretty awesome though. I will have to see if they will post to Australia for a reasonable price
buggainok - thanks for the feedback on the making memories trimmer. It is so hard to decide which one to get!
I think I have added another trimmer - the cutter pillar - to the list of potentials. If only it was easier to narrow down!
My vote is for the CARL Rotatrim- Amazon.com
I got mine about 5 years ago- still going strong. Greatest part about it is the number of shaped blades you can get for cutting. When I got mine it came as a deal with all the blades(wavy, deckle,scoring,postage stamp etc). Blades here . Carl USA Site
I think Staples carries them too.
I LOVE my Genisys!!! I waited 15 months and paid about &300 But I saved for it over time. I'm pretty sure the wait time has decreased. Well worth the money! Got the 16 in with the edge light. I have had it over 5 years and the blade is as good as new. It is not portable. Still looking for a cutter I really like to tote around. Got the Creative Memories rotary and do like it. My only problem with it is the magnet is really strong, making it hard it lift the paper guide.
__________________ Bev
Organized People are just too lazy to hunt for things!!!
So far I like my fiskar procision trimmer. It's available with coupons so you can get it for a good price. It will make fine, straight cuts and cut more than one sheet at a time.
Mob
I've got a Fiskar Rotary paper trimmer which I love. I think my love has to do with the fact that I sew too so the rotary blade thing was the draw for me.
Lots of people like the Stampin Up trimmer because the plate is 6 inches so you don't have to constantly pull out the extender when you cut a basic card.
I think it's a user preference. I started with the Cricut slide cutter - as a newby it was good but now - hate it! This Fiskar one is awesome for me.
Another vote for the Making Memories trimmer. I have had mine for years and still really like it. The blade is still sharp, and it is solid. As stated before, it is a little heavy to lug around, but it is still the one I take to crops, etc. Good luck choosing one.
I've had a Genesis Trimmer for almost 20 years and have only replaced the blade once. When I purchased mine there was only a two week wait time. I love it.
I really like that the 8.25" wide base means I don't have to deal with a swing arm ruler in an inconvenient place (why oh why do so many trimmers have the bend of the swing arm at 4" or at 5.5"?). I also like that it has 1/16" measurement markings. It gives nice, straight, smooth cuts, and it's capable of cutting very narrow strips. The one thing I don't like is that there's no way to lock the blade into place when you're not using it. There's a lock for the cutting rail, but the blade can still slide easily on it even when the rail is locked. This is a small issue for me because I can't keep my trimmer on my desk all the time; I have to store it on its side on the floor beside my desk.
However, the most awesome thing about this trimmer was the price! I didn't really NEED a new trimmer, but I found this a few weeks ago at Michael's with a $19.99 clearance price tag, and figured at that price it was worth a try to see if I liked it. Then it rang up as $17.99! I doubt I would have paid the original price of $59.99, but if you can get one with a 40% off or 50% off coupon I'd consider it worth your money.
I had the Making Memories trimmer and loved it. It gave straight, crisp cuts. One caveat, if you have a hubby who borrows your things, or kids...my husband used mine to cut a photo mat and dulled the blade. The cutter is now an expensive paperweight. I tried various things to sharpen the blade and contacted MM. Basically it's ruined. Not the fault of the product, but if anything happens, the whole thing is shot. I still think it must be possible to replace the blade if I take it apart, but you can't buy a new blade.
I really did love it and may just break down and buy another one, but I hate the waste factor so much that I've hesitated.
I have a Genesis and absolutely love it. For a while there was a long wait list for this trimmer, but that is no longer the case. If you get a Genesis you will probably never need another trimmer.
I have a Tonic that I've used for 4 or 5 years now, and I love it! It will cut tiny slices off the edge of a sheet of paper. It's supposed to not be able to cut you if you get a finger in the way, but I have never stuck my finger in to test this! :0)
I really love my Fiskars trimmers....I have many, the basic one that I let the grandkids use and then I have the new rotary and the new 8 inch blade one. Certian cuts needs more precision then the rotary can provide. But for me it's Fiskars, Fiskars, Fiskars!! In fact I still can't seem to throw out my old purple fiskar rotary. The blades were not replaceable so you needed the entire housing thingy too and they no longer make those but there is always hope I'll find one somewhere right? LOL
Last edited by HOBBYSUE; 04-24-2013 at 04:23 AM..
Reason: spelling
I replaced my faithful Creative Memories cutter a couple of years ago because I no longer had a demo in town to buy replacement blades. BIG mistake and I'm glad I still have it and am seeking replacement blades for the CM once again. Before changing to a rotary blade, make sure you can try it out and you're pleased with it as I'd never buy another one. The blade for the Fiskars one I bought seems to be "thick" and does not give a clean cut. From the beginning it cuts worse than the CM cutter with dull blades. I wish I understood the rage behind people wanting to change to the rotary blades.
I just purchased this one a couple of months ago and after much use, I gave my daughter my old trimmer. I LOVE this thing. I don't have batteries in it, so I haven't tried the light, but it works great without that.
I have one too, and it is fantastic! $90 with coupon from Oh My Crafts website, and worth every penny! The only one I've found that ALWAYS cuts straight, and you can cut in tiny increments if needed. Check it out!
__________________ JodyLynn - "Love me - love my cats!" DTGD12, DTGD14, HYCCT12, HYCCT13, HYCCT14, HYCCT15, Love Fest 2013, Love Fest 2014 CAS and CC guest designer QFTD 258
The Genesis is considered the best one on the market, but very pricey. I've loved my Making Memories trimmer, the one that folds in the middle. But you can't replace broken parts and despite the claim that the blade will never dull, after so many years mine just does not give the best cut anymore. Calling the company has not helped at all. I just broke down and bought the new ProCision trimmer from Fiskars and I'm very pleased with it. Just remember to pull the blade towards you, rather than push away. They have them at Joann's Fabrics and you can use your coupons.
If money is no object I strongly recommend the Rotatrim, Pro 18" . I have had mine for 15 years and have never had anything but sharp, precision cuts. I'll never need another one in my lifetime.
However, the cost is $302.17!!
Here is a shout out to the new stampin up trimmer. My old purple fiskars had all the markings worn off and I decided to check out the new one my demo was just using. I love it. There is a clear layer over the marking so they won't wear off. The guide extends past the 12 inch mark so the scoring bade stays at the top and you can still cut a 12 x 12 sheet. The blade isn't self sharpening but it seems to have a long life. It isn't rotary so you may not be interested in it for that reason. But I love it! It also has a compartment underneath for extra blades.
One the SU cutters, where do you buy extra blades. Can you get them somewhere besides SU?
I have had at least 20 trimmers throughout the 20years of crafting. My newest one is my favorite. It fits your criteria and it is available with a coupon. It is the Fiskars Procision Trimmer. I was saving up for a Genesis and came across this. I believe it was around $100 but I used a 50% coupon. I love it and can not believe how accurate it is and it folds. Hope you check it out.
I have one too, and it is fantastic! $90 with coupon from Oh My Crafts website, and worth every penny! The only one I've found that ALWAYS cuts straight, and you can cut in tiny increments if needed. Check it out!
I also have one of these and got it the last time OMC had this special pricing. It is worth every penny - IMHO. I LOVE this cutter and have tried several others and couldn't get good cuts with any of them - I think I am paper cutter challenged - until I got the Cutterpillar Pro (I do not work for this company!).
__________________ Harriet aka hskelly
My blog: Allycatcards
I recently bought the table top trimmer from Stampin' Up! and I love it! And I'm so glad I purchased it -- it's now on the retired list...
It's guillotine style, super lightweight with a self-sharpening blade -- some demos have had it for years and it's still as sharp as the first time they used it -- and it accomodates 12x12 paper and can cut the tiniest slivers of paper, thin enough to be used like paper thread! Amazingly, the blade doesn't even feel sharp to the touch, but it cuts through cardstock (3-4 sheets), chipboard, glimmer paper and other thicker materials like butter. I just can't say enough good things about this product! Oh, and the price is incredible -- $46! Can't beat that!
My vote also is for the CARL Rotatrim- Amazon.com.. I also have this paper trimmer. Love love it..cuts so clean and no ragged edges. Would highly recommend this......~~~
Had a Creative Memories rotary cutter and didn't like it. Think my problem is I don't like rotary cutters. I now have a Dahle guillotine and my only complaint is that the grid is worn off. I looked at purchasing a new one (the 15 rather than the 12), but since the one I have still cuts so well and the footprint is better for my small area, I will probably stick with it. I even tried to draw the lines back on, but didn't do such a great job. (I's harder than you might think!)
I just purchased this one a couple of months ago and after much use, I gave my daughter my old trimmer. I LOVE this thing. I don't have batteries in it, so I haven't tried the light, but it works great without that.
New paper trimmer...
