Friday, November 20, 2009

Question: Rotary Blade Sharpeners

Joan Jordan asks: "I seem to go through a lot of rotary cutter blades, and I wondered if the blade-sharpeners I’ve seen actually work. Are they worth it?"

I've never tried them so I thought I'd ask you. Do you have any advice for Joan?

14 comments:

Rosa-Munda said...

I have had one of these little sharpeners for a while and have found them to work really well.

alda said...

I do have it at home and it really works. After sharpening the blade will not be like new but you can make it sharper for a while.

Abby and Stephanie said...

I had a blade sharpener many years ago and did feel it worked. Perhaps they've made positive progress on new versions.

patty a. said...

I had one I bought years ago and I was not impressed.

Anne at Film and Thread said...

I bought one and it is only slightly helpful.

Quilt Rat said...

Maybe it's just me but No I was sadly disappointed in the one I had.
Since I did not find that they worked my solution is to have several cutters, I mark them with sticky labels. Fresh one for cutting fabric only, When it gets a little dull it gets used for trimming postcards or other fibre art, once it is not much good for that it usually has some life left as a paper cutter.

marlene@ByTheSeam said...

I didn't think the sharpner was that helpful either. Maybe for a few cuts but that was about it. I just buy my blades at Joanns when they are on sale.

Linda in Calif. said...

Oh I'm so happy with mine. I did find that if I only sharpen it a little bit - it only works a couple times. But if I take my time and really sharpen it, the blade works very well. And it's great when you don't have any new blades in the house. Quickly sharpen that blade and get to cutting again!
Linda in Calif.

SandyQuilts said...

LOVE LOVE mine

Margaret T. Zenk said...

I just bought one a few weeks ago. Am seriously challenged to figure out the directions; will probably ask one of my teenagers to help me! My blades tend to get nicked so I am wondering if the sharpener does anything about that.

Joan said...

Thank you, Karen and everyone. I can operate a sewing machine, but anything else even slightly mechanical is beyond me. I'm sure if I get one my husband will become the official blade-sharpening person. Also, check Ebay for blades. I recently got 11 for under $22 including shipping. Just don't bid against me! :)

JoAnne in southern California said...

I had the one that was pictured, it was a waste of money. Perhaps that new orbital rotary blade sharpener is the one that others are saying works well for them.

I am fortunate, my husband has almost every tool known to man (but he always needs more) and he sharpens the blades for me. Now, if I could get him to do the cooking...

Lissa Jane said...

I love my sharpener.. I give it a quick spin every other month and it freshens the blade up lovely.. I've had the same blade in my cutter now for maybe two years and its still going strong! I find too that I have less shoulder fatigue when the blade is freshly sharpened.. blades are around $8 each here in Australia, so I figure my sharpener (which I got on sale from the US for $8US) was definately worth the investment!

Unknown said...

Thank you every one. Am seriously challenged to figure out the directions will probably ask one of my teenagers to help me!


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Rotary blade