Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
Hi, I am in search of a good paper trimmer. I need something that is really reliable and will cut well. I use 65 lb. paper and 110 lb. paper (for my base). I currently have a Stampin' trimmer from Stampin' Up! but I am not happy with it. It's absolutely wonderful, so far as the measuring capabilities, lining paper up and scoring. However, cutting is a different story. The blades do not last. Or, maybe since I'm fairly new to card making (started about 2 years ago), I just don't realize what a short life they have. Regardless, I seem to go through blades and have to switch them out, every couple of months. I love Stampin' Up! products. I have their inks, dies, and some stamps. They are a great company.
If anyone could please recommend another brand that you like and the blade actually cuts, please let me know. I know that cards should be neat, when cut, but now, I have no choice but to leave the ragged edges on them and I just don't think that looks very good.
And I have used tin foil to try to sharpen the blade on my Stampin' trimmer, per a rep. at Stampin' Up. No help.
I do make cards on a fairly regular basis, but not a whole lot. So I'm not sure what is dulling my blade.
I have two Fiskars, one that I like a lot, a Cutterpillar Crop (rotary) which I like but should get rid of, and a Carl Heavy Duty Rotary Paper Trimmer, which I would marry if I wasn't married.
Pros: it can cut a lot of sheets at once, and goes through chipboard, multiple layers, etc., like buttah. (The day I got it I cut up those rubber mat things that you open jars with, because they were in front of me.) It cuts straight as an arrow: paper is clamped down. It has a lifetime warranty.
Cons: It's not inexpensive, though it's cheaper on Amazon (though sold by the Carl), than it is on the Carl website. I got it for $89ish, I think, and it's $93 now. Like for every rotary cutter, if you want to measure and cut less than an inch from a narrow strip, there aren't markings because of the position of the blade.
So if I need to do that I use a Fiskars, and am quite happy as long as I'm positioned over the cutter and carefully hold the paper. I don't butt it against the top, instead put it against a line. I like that the arm swings out so it's got a small footprint. Blades are easy to get. (If I bought another Fiskars it would be a similar one with the aluminum rail.) Amost a 5-star review from 368 people and for $16.50 a great deal.
Thank you for the info. and recommendations. I have heard a lot of positive things about Fiskars, so after I use my blades I ordered a good while back, I may try that. It's frustrating, because you hate to quit using something solely for one reason, when it does so well in every other area.... When I put in new blades in my Stampin' trimmer, it cuts really good, but not for near long enough, in my opinion.
I may check out the Carl Heavy Duty Rotary Paper trimmer. That's funny! Loved your comment. Haha! :-)
I have an Xacto (Model# 26234) which I really like. It is a guilllotine type and will cut 12 x 12" paper and has a laser light to help you line things up properly. I make at least one card a day and it still is working great after about a year and a half. I think I paid less than $50 for it. I also have a Cricut paper trimmer which I got a few months ago after one of the card makers on YouTube recommended it and it is on sale right now on the Cricut website for $11.99. I use it for other types of cutting when the Xacto seems to be too bulky. It, too, will cut 12" paper as it has a swing out arm.
__________________ How did I get along before I found this wonderful addiction?
I have made hundreds of cards and so many people say it has brought joy to their lives which, in turn, brings joy to my life. Almost everyone I give them to says that they always save me, which I consider a huge compliment.
I have long-used rotary-style cutters. My favorite is my well-worn Carl Heavy Duty. I've used it for many years, so the cost was well-spent.
Before my Carl, I had used Fiskars rotary cutters, found at Michaels, JoAnn, etc. Fishers changed the style of replaceable cutting mat [surface where blade meets cutter beneath paper]. I could no longer get the mats for my older style cutter, which otherwise worked very well & seemed quite accurate. You might consider one of those if you are not prepping lots of multiple cuts on a regular basis for classes. The Carl cutter will cut through several layers of C/S at a time with careful alignment & pressure, so that's a very good one for those who prep for classes, etc. ;)
Question for those of you with a Carl Heavy Duty cutter - how are you getting it to cut perfectly straight? I have had mine for over 10 years and have not been able to get it to cut straight the past few years. I replaced blades and cutting mats and it still does not cut straight. It is really off, too. I will cut in half for card bases three or four pieces of cardstock at a time and they slope a good 1/4". Any tips? Thanks!
Question for those of you with a Carl Heavy Duty cutter - how are you getting it to cut perfectly straight? I have had mine for over 10 years and have not been able to get it to cut straight the past few years. I replaced blades and cutting mats and it still does not cut straight. It is really off, too. I will cut in half for card bases three or four pieces of cardstock at a time and they slope a good 1/4". Any tips? Thanks!
Well that's pretty awful! I'd contact the company by phone. They're proud of their cutters and the person I talked to - more than once - repeated more than once there's a lifetime warranty. So if something is off they should fix it or replace it.
I had told him I might cut through layers of CS, adhesive paper, ripped DSP and glitter, and he said no problem. So you should be able to cut straight.
I line the paper up to a printed line, push down the clamp and cut, sometimes 20 or so pieces of regular copy paper or several sheets of CS.
I think TexasGrammy may be talking about Fiskars. I got my Fiskars Original Rotary Paper Trimmer at Michael's years ago, and still love it. Has a big platform for 12 x 12 paper. Cuts well all the time. It was about $75 at that time, and, of course I had a 50% off coupon. The blades are easy to find, and I have several replacement "Cut bars" which the blade cuts against. I find them more often at Joann than Michaels. I've only had to replace the cut bar twice and blade about 4 times in 10+ years.
I have a ScorPal board for scoring. I kept my first Fiskars first little trimmer where the tiny razor-blade cutter runs on a track, and has exchangeable scorer. It doesn't really cut perfectly, as the rotary does, because the blade runs between weak plastic rails which move open to change from cutting to scoring. I use it very rarely.
Of course, many decisions are based on your price range. Carl sounds Amazing, but not in my budget.
I have the same Xacto as HappyinMarco, although I found the laser distracting and took the batteries out, lol... LOVE it, though! I had one back east that I gave to my stepdaughter when we moved, tried a different one post-move that was less than wonderful, and went and got another Xacto. One thing that I don't understand about it is that the measurement lines on the table don't match the ruler at the top, but once I got used to it, it was totally no big deal.
I use it for everything, up to and including chopping up cereal boxes for dividers, magnetic vent covers for my dies, laminated cardstock - everything! It's self-sharpening, so I never worry about it...
I'm a big fan of the Tonic guillotine cutters.........I have 3 different sizes and love them all and use them all. They are self sharpening so that's a huge plus.......you can find good prices on them on Amazon and/or if JoAnns has an online sale.
I bought this from Engineer Supply and love it. I was buying so many blades it was costing a fortune, so I got this guillotine trimmer. Good price and an excellent company.Dahle Vantage Trimmer 12E - EngineerSupply
__________________ Keep what is worth keeping
and with the breath of kindness
blow the rest away.
FYI- if you do get ragged edges from a dull blade, try using the square adhesive remover to "sand" the edges. SU had it on the retired list and looks like it is sold out. Xyron makes a similar product.
Another tip- be sure you are using even pressure when cutting. I've found that if I don't, I will get raggedy edges.
That is kind of strange in that your xacto lines don't line up to the ruler at the top. Mine lines up exactly.
__________________ How did I get along before I found this wonderful addiction?
I have made hundreds of cards and so many people say it has brought joy to their lives which, in turn, brings joy to my life. Almost everyone I give them to says that they always save me, which I consider a huge compliment.
I have the same Xacto as HappyinMarco, although I found the laser distracting and took the batteries out, lol... LOVE it, though! I had one back east that I gave to my stepdaughter when we moved, tried a different one post-move that was less than wonderful, and went and got another Xacto. One thing that I don't understand about it is that the measurement lines on the table don't match the ruler at the top, but once I got used to it, it was totally no big deal.
I use it for everything, up to and including chopping up cereal boxes for dividers, magnetic vent covers for my dies, laminated cardstock - everything! It's self-sharpening, so I never worry about it...
That is strange. Mine lines up with the ruler just fine.
__________________ How did I get along before I found this wonderful addiction?
I have made hundreds of cards and so many people say it has brought joy to their lives which, in turn, brings joy to my life. Almost everyone I give them to says that they always save me, which I consider a huge compliment.
That is strange. Mine lines up with the ruler just fine. .
I find the laser very helpful when I just want to cut a tiny bit off of the edge of something. You can make sure everything is lined up just right by using it
__________________ How did I get along before I found this wonderful addiction?
I have made hundreds of cards and so many people say it has brought joy to their lives which, in turn, brings joy to my life. Almost everyone I give them to says that they always save me, which I consider a huge compliment.