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I currently use the Creative Memories 12" trimmer. I switched a couple of years ago from Fiskars. Part of the reason for the switch was that the Fiskars started to warp and didn't cut straight. I already don't cut straight, and need all the help I can get.
I love the Cutterpede cutter and I have a 12" cutter by Carl to do the big cuts with.......
I have a Cutterpede and have enjoyed it very much. It is getting harder to find the replacement blades and cutting mat. Where do you buy your replacements?
I've had cutter after cutter and the only one I love is the Tonic guillotine cutter. I like my Fiskars trimmer but the blades seem to dull really quickly.
I'm going to agree with Cherryonion. I also have a Tonic guillotine cutter. Actually, I have 2. I have the tabletop 12" & the more portable 6" one. Joann.com had their scrapbooking tools on 40 % off a couple of weeks ago and thats where I got mine. They have sales pretty often. I *love* them!! I do believe that Tonic is the company who makes the table-top cutter in Stampin' Up's catalog, too. I had a Friskars and I had trouble getting it to cut straight. At least I'm going to blame it on the cutter! LOL.
Paula
__________________ Paula T. In my craft room working on my next project.
For the past year I've used the Making Memories12x12" Precision Trimmer. No jagged edges (ever), and the blade is self-sharpening, so no added expenses on replacement blades. I love it! Got mine at Hobby Lobby with a 40% off coupon - worth every penny.
Right now I have a Purple Cow. I'm so not happy with it at all. On the one hand it cuts a nice clean edge, but it's so NOT square. I'm on the lookout for a Tonic.
__________________ �:*�*:�My next house won't have a kitchen. Just a bunch of vending machines and garbage cans.�:*�*:�
I also have the Tonic guillotine cutter -- mine is just the 6" base. Works almost perfectly every time -- if I stand up when I do a cut, it's a lot more accurate (I don't know why exactly, it just is). It's the best I've found so far -- I've used the Fiskars 12" rotary cutter with no luck and a lot of the smaller paper trimmers (Fiskars, Cutterpede, Carl) and haven't had much luck...that could just be the user and not the trimmer though?
I also use the Tonic with the 6in. base. I love that it is self-sharpening so I never have to look for replacement blades. I have been using mine for about 4 years and always get a clean straight cut. I make and sell around 500 cards each year + other projects.
Tonic 12" guillotine here - it's been the best, inexpensive trimmer I've owned. I love that the measurements go down to 1/16th of an inch, and that it also has metric on it.
If you watch Joann's online they often put it on sale for around $30 - $40 and sometimes with shipping specials. I got mine for $30.
Tonic 12" guillotine here - it's been the best, inexpensive trimmer I've owned. I love that the measurements go down to 1/16th of an inch, and that it also has metric on it.
If you watch Joann's online they often put it on sale for around $30 - $40 and sometimes with shipping specials. I got mine for $30.
Hey, Val! How's it for portability?
I have my Carl DC220 for heavy duty massive cutting (for classes--LOVE it), and I *just* bought the 8.5" Tonic Guillotine because, while I love the little 6" one, it's not quite big/long enough for my needs (i.e. cutting an 8.5 x 11" sheet in half).
I am loving it--clean, sharp and straight cuts, and not having to replace blades is a definite plus in my book!
Only draw-back on it is that I wish it had measurements smaller than 1/4". I can eyeball 1/8" pretty well after all these years, but any smaller? Not so much...LOL! These eyes are gettin' too old! ;)
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I have my Carl DC220 for heavy duty massive cutting (for classes--LOVE it), and I *just* bought the 8.5" Tonic Guillotine because, while I love the little 6" one, it's not quite big/long enough for my needs (i.e. cutting an 8.5 x 11" sheet in half).
I am loving it--clean, sharp and straight cuts, and not having to replace blades is a definite plus in my book!
Only draw-back on it is that I wish it had measurements smaller than 1/4". I can eyeball 1/8" pretty well after all these years, but any smaller? Not so much...LOL! These eyes are gettin' too old! ;)
Good Morning, Julie! How's things up north? re: the cutter - I've taken it to CHA, twice, and I've taken it to Paper Tales before when I have classes, so while a bit larger than what you have, it is portable because it doesn't weigh very much. It fits into my Staples rolling tote easily. The only drawback for me is the blade has no locking mechanism, not that the blade will cut flesh (it's very human friendly), just that I have to be careful and remember to pull it out by the base not the handle when I take it with me.
I have the Tonic Guillitine with the 6" base (it's 12" long) and LOVE it. Eventually once I clean and organize my scrap space I would like to get the one with the 12" base.
The only thing I hate about the Tonic with the 6" base is that there isn't a grid line at the 6" mark (at least on mine which I have had for a long time). It's a bit difficult to get a straight cut at the 6" mark sometimes. I would love if they did the 6" with a grid line at the 6" mark.
I'm longing for a dull day with nothing to do. Haven't had one of those in . . . too long to even remember. :shock:
Hope things are well down your way! *hug*
Quote:
re: the cutter - I've taken it to CHA, twice, and I've taken it to Paper Tales before when I have classes, so while a bit larger than what you have, it is portable because it doesn't weigh very much. It fits into my Staples rolling tote easily. The only drawback for me is the blade has no locking mechanism, not that the blade will cut flesh (it's very human friendly), just that I have to be careful and remember to pull it out by the base not the handle when I take it with me.
I noticed that about the 8.5 model (no locking handle), too. Good to know!
I wondered about the weight--I do use a rolling tote/crate, too, so I'm glad to know it's not too large for that.
Thanks for the info, chiquita! {{{Val}}}
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
WOW- I am so excited I found this thread...my cutter just went out and I am desperately looking for a new one...I am really looking at the Tonic guillotine...but very undecided. I have had 2 of the Creative Memories...and they are OK - don't stay sharpened as well as I would like. Thanks for all the helpful opinions.
I'm a craft knife, quilters mat and quilting ruler kinda gal
Yep, that's me too! I have the little Fiskars and just got sooo annoyed that it doesn't cut straight. Someday, I may get a Tonic but I have two young kidlets and no place to store...my dining room table is the 'craft table'. Good luck in your quest.
__________________ Susan
Whether you think you can, or think you can't - you're probably right. - Zig Ziglar
I have 2-a large track Fiskars and a Making Memories table cutter. I don't make tons of cards so they work well for me. I do wish the MM one was designed to use the top edge as a "fence" to aid in getting paper straight. I have it set up with the magnetic ruler on the grid to cut paper in half. The Fiskars works fine, having to replace the blades is a bit of a pain but I always buy extra blades at Michael's with a coupon.
I may go to a Tonic when I redo the room and get my dad's old desk out of storage. I had his old office guillotine cutter and I could never get a straight cut with it so it went to the Goodwill.
I have had a couple fiskars rotary cutters ( 12 in, with the 45 in blade) and swore by them for a while. I love the interchangeable blades. But sadly, I had to admit that the cutter has problems cutting straight over time- and I have tried changing blades and the cutting mat. I have also owned two guillitoine tonics. Again, over time, both developed defects in about the same place that resulted in crooked paper and ragged edges. Also had the MM cutter. Not a fan. Finally out of frustration I recently purchased a fiskars rotary ( with 30 inch blade). So far so good. And that was going to be my go to cutter until I got desperate enough to purchase a Dahle or a Carle. However, I had the good fortune to score a kutrimmer at an estate sale recently.( You really dont know want to know how much I paid. VERY good deal) LOVE IT!! It cuts paper like it is cutting air. This is now my go to cutter for everything except decorate edge cutting. I wish I had found this six cutters ago!
Tonic is the only way to go! I have the 12x12 guillotine and also the little baby one - I think it's 4x6? They also make a 6x12 with a pull-out arm to make it 12x12 (this is the one SU! carries). It cuts straight and clean every time, the blade isn't sharp enough to cut you (and I've smashed it down HARD on my hand on accident before - scraped skin but no bleeding!) and it's not too heavy. LOVE it! I only wish I had gotten it sooner!
__________________ ~*~ Clara ~*~ If you can think it, you can ink it!
I have a Fiskars, and absolutely LOVE it!!! My brother bought it at JoAnn for me, and it is small, portable, and lightweight, but still heavy-duty enough to cut through cardstock. I wouldn't buy another cutter besides Fiskars - IMO, they are the best!!!
__________________
~Rebekah~ My mind works like lightning - one brilliant 'FLASH' and it's gone!
Thank you for all the replies so far...Thank you. Soooooooooooo helpful to hear what you think (talented paper crafters).
Results so far (FYI):
Trimmers Used by you talented paper crafters:
Creative Memories 12" Trimmer
Genesis
Stampin Up Table Top Cutter
Cutterpede
12: cutter by Carl
Craft knife, quilters mat, quilting ruler
Tonic Guilotine 12"
Tonic Guilotine 6"
Makin Memories 12x12 Precision Trimmer
Paper Studio Guillotine
Tonic Guillotine 8.5"
Riskars Triple Track
Kutrimmer
Fiskars Rotary
The majority use recommend A tonic Guilotine 12" AND 6"
It sounds like a lot of us started with the Fiskars and found it to not cut straight right away or after time and that the blades dulled quickly. For that reason I went to a rotary cutter. Here you recommend a Gulotine cutter. I'll check it out. Thank you. This is what I was looking for. Knew I could count on you guys.
I have a Fiskars, and absolutely LOVE it!!! My brother bought it at JoAnn for me, and it is small, portable, and lightweight, but still heavy-duty enough to cut through cardstock. I wouldn't buy another cutter besides Fiskars - IMO, they are the best!!!
What kind of Fiskars? Rotary? (Thank you for replying)
I have the 6x12 tonic and the mini tonic (I think 3.5x6?). I just wish the 6x12 had the ruler next to or on the cutting surface instead of 1/4 inch above it. And, like Julie, I wish the 3.5x6 had measurements less than 1/4 marked.
Another Genesis user here; my search for the PERFECT trimmer is over!
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
I use the Fiskars Rotary. It's very good and portable. I have a MM trimmer as well but I don't like the grid on it at all and it's pretty bulky to lug around, even though it folds in half. I have yet to find the perfect trimmer and I don't think that the Genesis is in my sights any time soon.
I used the MM precision trimmer for about 3 years and it worked well and no blades to replace BUT I just got tired of not being able to push the paper up against the top, the screeching of the blade, not being able to make small cuts under the guard, etc.
I used my Cutterpede for years, and I LOVED it. Recently it started cutting off.. I think after all these years, I must have jarred the guide which messes up the cuts. I replaced it with a 12" Fiskar's rotary craft trimmer. It's okay.. it cuts straight, but I don't like how the measurements are marked (or rather NOT marked) where the arm extension meets the base. And I have noticed I am going through my mat like crazy. My Cuttlebug mat lasted forever before I had to turn it over.
I also have the SU desktop guillotine. I use it when I have a lot of mass cutting to do for swaps and Christmas cards, but otherwise, I find it to awkward to use. Also, on mine, the ruler is off somewhere between 1/16" and 1/8", so I have to remember this and adjust my paper accordingly.. which my forgetful self fails to do most of the time.
While the Fiskars does a good job of cutting, my vote is for the Cutterpede.
Yep, that's me too! I have the little Fiskars and just got sooo annoyed that it doesn't cut straight. Someday, I may get a Tonic but I have two young kidlets and no place to store...my dining room table is the 'craft table'. Good luck in your quest.
Tonic also has a cutter somewhat like the Fiskars in that the blade system is similar plus it has lines every 1/4 inch and is 6 inch wide. It has dotted lines at the 4 1/4 and 5 1/2 marks for easy lining up. It cuts so much better IMO than the Fiskars. Easily stored and kiddie proof.
What brand of Paper Trimmer Do YOU use?
