Can anyone recommend a good paper trimmer?

[Lamborghini Gal]

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.

Beth

[bjeans]

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.

Beth too

[Lamborghini Gal]

Hi bjeans,

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! :-)

Thanks again for the help.

Beth

[bjeans]

Beth, I thought I pasted links to both, weird. (Probably me that's weird.) So here they are. I think:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sorry!

I'm sure others will have recommendations too.
Beth

[HappyinMarco]

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.

[TexasGrammy]

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. ;)

[Lamborghini Gal]

Thank you all. This has been a huge help.


Beth

[cnsteele]

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!

[bjeans]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnsteele

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.

[harvestmoon]

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.

[gregzgurl]

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...

[TexasGrammy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harvestmoon

I think TexasGrammy may be talking about Fiskars. ...

You're right! I corrected the incorrect auto-correct .... some days are just testy. ;)

[rockybeta]

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.

[Paula in GA]

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

[basketdiva]

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.

[Danakirby]

Thank You for all the helpful info!! I need a new trimmer too!!

[binkiemonstermom]

I love my cutterpillar. I have both sizes but like the crop size better.

[HappyinMarco]

That is kind of strange in that your xacto lines don't line up to the ruler at the top. Mine lines up exactly.

[HappyinMarco]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregzgurl

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.

[HappyinMarco]

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyinMarco

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