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I had the X-Acto first. I love it, but I love the Fiskar's better. I actually have the Rock Paper Trimmer, but they are exactly the same except for the price and one has mp3 player and one has extra blade storage. It is large, but it is easy to use just in my lap. It does everything EXACTLY the way I want it to, and it can even cut small pieces, which my X-Acto can't. I pretty much use my Fiskar's. I wish it had a better name, because they look to be discontinuing the Rock Paper trimmer, and it's hard to know what to say when I'm recommending the trimmer. There are a LOT of Fiskar's 12" rotary trimmers, but this is the one I like. I've had two of the others, and they are NOT the same!
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?
The set of mats went out in Friday's mail! Had to take them out of the package to fit in the envelope - they came from Hobby Lobby - I must have bought them when I was in Nashville a couple years ago - they were a great price I stocked up on them found 4 - 2 count packages! LOL
The set of mats went out in Friday's mail! Had to take them out of the package to fit in the envelope - they came from Hobby Lobby - I must have bought them when I was in Nashville a couple years ago - they were a great price I stocked up on them found 4 - 2 count packages! LOL
Ok, here's a sort of silly question, anyone here also a leftie? I need a new trimmer too (after about 8 years with my Fiskar rotary it's cuts are way off), I'm looking for something to cut multiple sheets at a time for class prep but I'm finding alot of trimmers are not left handed friendly, the "ruler" doesn't run the "right" way for me, if this makes sense?? So do any lefties have the Tonic or Genesis and like it?
I also have the Tonic Guillotine and just love it. I'm limited to space so I have the smaller 6" base with the extendable 12" arm. So I can still cut 12" paper, but it's easier to store. Definitely recommend the Tonic!
I have the big table top Rotary cutter that I use for mutiple sheets/large cutting jobs
I have a smaller travel 12" rotary that I LOVE and I have a 12" purple blade cutter that I love.
They all cut straight and I have never had any issues with them.
I did have MM's one and I regret ever buying that thing.
Another vote for Tonic here! I've got the 12" paper trimmer and the large guillotine with the 6" base... love love LOVE them. They are the straightest cutters I have found so far.
One of the reviews of the Tonic cutter on the Amazon website said that it is difficult to know where the blade will cut. Can't you push the cardstock against the top of the cutter (like with a scor-pal) or do you have to line the cardstock up against one of the marked lines? I have an office papercutter now, and I just push the paper up to the top edge most of the time. I hope this question makes sense.
One of the reviews of the Tonic cutter on the Amazon website said that it is difficult to know where the blade will cut. Can't you push the cardstock against the top of the cutter (like with a scor-pal) or do you have to line the cardstock up against one of the marked lines? I have an office papercutter now, and I just push the paper up to the top edge most of the time. I hope this question makes sense.
Yes, you can if you are measuring something to cut by measurement. However, I often mat a picture or image or what ever on a larger piece of paper and then want to cut an even mat all the way around. The tonic makes it difficult to see exactly where the blade will cut, KWIM?
My Genesis has an edge light underneath that lights up the paper so you can see exactly where the edge is and where it will cut.
I have had my Fiskers blade cutter for 10 years and really love it. I do have to replace blades, but that is not such a problem for me. (I get twice as much out of a blade by marking one corner of the plastic with a dot. I always cut the same way, so when that edge gets dull, I pop out the blade and turn it around so that I can use the other edge.) That brings me to the reason I get good, straight cuts with mine: Hands down, I am the only one I know in my group of stampers that pulls the arm out at the bottom right, positions the paper along the bottom edge ruler, and then slides the cutting blade from the top down. This pushes the paper up against the bottom lip and keeps it from going wonky. Others I know flip the cutter the opposite way so that the arm extends from the top right and then they still pull the blade down. This way the paper is being pulled away from the edge and has no resistance to slide sideways. I can't seem to convince anyone to do it the other way. Another thing I like about my Fiskers is that it has the scoring tool (or I can use a stylus) and I have not found the need for an expensive Score Pal. Also, I can see exactly where it is cutting, so can cut off very small sections of a very thin strip of paper (which I can't do on my guillotine style one). That being said, I wish the 4 1/4" was an actual mark rather than just the end of the frame.
Bought the 12" Tonic a of year ago and love it! Will cut thru a few layers of cardstock at one time as well as being more economical. Bought mine on sale at JoAnn's as well. I have 2 Fiskars cutters that never seemed to make straight cuts. That, and the cost of the disposable cutting blades was getting out of hand. Still use the Fiskars for small quick cuts, but mostly use the Tonic. It's become my credo not to pay full price at any of the craft stores..work those coupons, sign up for the e-mail just in case your Sunday paper didn't have an ad.
I have an Exacto Laser Paper Trimmer purchased from Office Max. The laser light allows me to cut edges with extreme precision especially when trimming diagonal cuts. The light shows a thin line on the paper exactly where the blade will cut when it is lowered. It has a self sharpening hardened steel blade, automatic shutoff for the laser light and a self healing cutting mat. Cost is about $55. I love it and would buy another if I need to replace it.
I have the 12 inch Tonic, too, and have had no problems. Supposedly you never have to change the blade, but I haven't used mine enough to know about that.
I'm surprised to hear so many people have had trouble with their Fiskars cutting straight. I've had my rotary cutter for about 5 years and have had no problems with it. In fact, I'd take a rotary trimmer over a guillotine any day.
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I love my Genesis trimmer! It is the best paper trimmer I have ever had! I never could find one before that would trim perfectly straight. I can't stand crooked edges. It just always drove me nuts! So I was so excited when I got mine and it cut perfectly! Wouldn't trade it for any other brand!
__________________ Susan
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Another Tonic Trimmer Girl here! I have the 6" base and I have not had any problems cutting even 12 x 12 paper. I LOVE it! I have even packed it and taken it with me once or twice with ease. I started off (like most) with a basic Fiskars Trimmer and I could not get a straight cut to save my life. I have had my Tonic for nearly 3 years and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
I, too, am a lefty! We are a neglected demographic when it comes to paper trimmers, IMO! Left-handed scissors, but not trimmers. :confused:
I have a Tonic 12" Guillotine, and absolutely love it. I can position the paper accurately and press down on the paper bar with my left hand, then simply move the guillotine arm with my right. (I don't have problems lining up the paper for narrow trims because I look to the right at the metal blade base which shows past the edge of the paper bar.) Perhaps I like the Tonic so much because I am so used to using the 6" Creative Memories personal trimmer with the paper bar and guillotine. It is EXACTLY like that.
I also have a Cutterpede 12" rotary. I love that I can change shuttles and have different cutting styles (like 12" Fiskars rotary I also have, larger base and doesn't cut straight), AND I can just purchase any standard-size decorative blade, put it in an extra shuttle, and expand the cutting options.
HOWEVER, lefty that I am, I haven't found a 'comfortable' way to position the Cutterpede. The extendable arm seems to be on the wrong side for how I want to cut. I feel like I want to have the bulk of my paper UNDER the paper bar and to the RIGHT of the blade. Even if I turn it upside down, the blade is one the opposite side, and the paper bar has to hinge at the bottom closest to me. VERY awkward. If only they would make one with the arm on the RIGHT!!!!
I had similar issues with my CM 12" trimmers (straight and decorative) and the extendable arms, however the paper bars are hinged differently so not as bad. What I didn't like about those is the 'point'-type blades that eventually got dull and dragged on your paper edge. The new ones are rotary, but specialized sizes, so you can't use standard rotary blades (see above).
So... my preference for straight cuts is a guillotine - either my large Tonic or my 6" CM personal trimmer. My preference for decorative cuts is a rotary balde - my Cutterpede - although I struggle with it being wrong-handed!
Sorry for the length but I hope this helps someone. Perhaps I can get some support to lobby for left-handed trimmers! ;)
I've had a fiskars for years and I have noticed that sometimes it doesn't cut straight. But I've noticed that it always user error. I do a lot of mass production projects and I'll cut out or score all of the paper while I'm watching tv with the DH. Sitting on the couch with the cutter in my lap is the only way I get crooked cuts. Other than that, I've always been happy with it.
"That brings me to the reason I get good, straight cuts with mine: Hands down, I am the only one I know in my group of stampers that pulls the arm out at the bottom right, positions the paper along the bottom edge ruler, and then slides the cutting blade from the top down."
It never occurred to me to do it any other way. No wonder I have such good luck with mine!
I love my Genesis trimmer! It is the best paper trimmer I have ever had! I never could find one before that would trim perfectly straight. I can't stand crooked edges. It just always drove me nuts! So I was so excited when I got mine and it cut perfectly! Wouldn't trade it for any other brand!
Susan (and Deb): Where do you find the Genesis? Sounds exactly like what I'm looking for....I've had a heavy wooden guillotine cutter (like you see in schools) for years and love it, but it's starting to cut a little wonky and I have no idea what's off to fix it. And I've got just about every other cutter already ~ a Carl rotary (okay, but cuts a little off), a Purple Cow (thought I'd love this because it has both a rotary AND a guillotine, but they're not real user friendly - although it's lightweight enough to take to crops), three or four Fiskars rotaries of various sizes, and a small Creative Memories guillotine I've had for about 10 years. But I really want a guillotine that will cut straight every time, is large enough to handle my 18" x 12" heavy cardstock base and one that I know exactly where it's going to cut. Sounds like a Genesis is the next purchase in my search for the perfect cutter...I like the idea of the light!
Thanks,
Kathy
__________________ "Be Still and Know That I Am God" Ps. 46:10
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?
Hi there. My name is Simone. I have only just joined, so I hope this get's to you. I am a Kaszazz Consultant, and we sell the replacement blades for this cutter and the cutting mats. So you can contact me for these items.
Susan (and Deb): Where do you find the Genesis? Sounds exactly like what I'm looking for....I've had a heavy wooden guillotine cutter (like you see in schools) for years and love it, but it's starting to cut a little wonky and I have no idea what's off to fix it. And I've got just about every other cutter already ~ a Carl rotary (okay, but cuts a little off), a Purple Cow (thought I'd love this because it has both a rotary AND a guillotine, but they're not real user friendly - although it's lightweight enough to take to crops), three or four Fiskars rotaries of various sizes, and a small Creative Memories guillotine I've had for about 10 years. But I really want a guillotine that will cut straight every time, is large enough to handle my 18" x 12" heavy cardstock base and one that I know exactly where it's going to cut. Sounds like a Genesis is the next purchase in my search for the perfect cutter...I like the idea of the light!
I had a Fiskars...like everyone else, couldn't get it to cut straight. I found a thread on here awhile back regarding cutters and from that ended up with the Tonic 12" Guillotine cutter and at this point, would not have anything else! The JoAnn's near me, isn't so near...I found my on Amazon.com
The other thing I love about my Tonic is when it's time to put it away the end of the handle removes and stores underneath...a space saver to boot!
I'm surprised to hear so many people have had trouble with their Fiskars cutting straight. I've had my rotary cutter for about 5 years and have had no problems with it. In fact, I'd take a rotary trimmer over a guillotine any day.
I think the problem with the wonky cuts with the Fiskers paper trimmer comes with the blade cutter, not the rotary. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's the complaint I hear, but actually don't have myself.
"That brings me to the reason I get good, straight cuts with mine: Hands down, I am the only one I know in my group of stampers that pulls the arm out at the bottom right, positions the paper along the bottom edge ruler, and then slides the cutting blade from the top down."
It never occurred to me to do it any other way. No wonder I have such good luck with mine!
Glad to know someone else found this way intuitive and has had good results.
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.
I saw a video on this cutter, they recommend you use only paper, do you use it to cut card stock?
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Rebekka
I have a Tonic/SU 6 x 12" table-top cutter that I use every day. I also have an older style Fiskars rotary cutter that they no longer make blades for :(. So I recently got a "normal" style Fiskars. I like having it for scoring and to cut out squares/rectangles. Plus I was able to use a 50% off coupon (who doesn't like that!).
My mom has a newer style Fiskars rotary cutter that is 12 x 12 that she got from Sam's Club. She loves it because she doesn't have to use much pressure to make it cut nice. She has carpel tunnel and arthritis in her wrists, so this is a big help to her. I've used her a couple of times and been impressed with how easily it cut.
__________________ Mindy
Full time working Mom to five-year old Tobias and two and-a-half-year old Amelia!
HI lisa! I went and bought the Tonic Studios trimmer on a recommendation. It is BY FAR the best one I've had due to it's cutting ability, portability and function.
I have the purple cow one which I use for larger projects b/c it has the guillotine and I have HAD in the past the Fiskars trimmer. BUT, there is no comparison IMO to the Tonic.
Help? I am looking for a new paper trimmer and am wondering what you all use and why! Thanks you so much for your input.
I use the Making Memories cutter and like it a lot. It is somewhat bundlesome and takes up more space than I wish that it did but I love not having to replace the blades and that it cuts very straight. I got it at Michael's for half price so I think that it was a very good deal.
off to you.............
