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Hi everyone, I put this question out in the tools forum, but didn't get a lot of responses.
I am looking for a trimmer similar to the Fiskars Euro trimmer, but one that doesn't fray the edges of my patterned DP! I want a lightweight trimmer that I can move around my desk and that also has the scoring blade option. I do not need another heavy cutter. I have a Carl that I'm happy with.
Cost is not as much as an issue for me because, frankly, it's worth it to me to find a good trimmer! I use my trimmer daily!
I also do not want a rotary or guillotine style trimmer. Those wear me out after a while. I like the ease of cutting with the Fiskars. I'm just sick of frayed edges on my paper!
Did you try going to the new blog/website called Craft Critique? They did articles last week on trimmers. Each of the reporters featured a different trimmer and it's plus and minuses! It was very helpful! Try there for some answers to your questions. Good luck!
is there a definitive answer to the paper trimmer question?
Vera, I feel your pain. I don't personally think there is an answer to this question. I just reviewed the entries over at craft critique . . . if we want portable, I don't think we will get perfect cuts.
I own 4 Fiskars personal trimmers. Each time they "improve" it, I buy it. There is a new one out now . . . it accepts the triple track refills or another new style refill. So far, it is giving me good cuts.
I've had trouble in the past with the cutter working good at first, but as soon as I have to start putting refills in, I don't get as good of cuts. Sometimes, the refills even visually looked a little different to me (blade didn't extend as much). I've talked to fiskars customer service so many times. Usually, I feel like I care way more about the "issues" than they do.
Beside the Fiskars cutters, I have the two sizes of the cutterpede, a Boston brand guillitine cutter and the Tonic cutter. I feel like the Tonic cutter gives good cuts, but I find the noise it makes while cutting a little like fingernails on the chalkboard, so I usually just reach for the fiskars and hope for the best.
I have the Cutterpede for the portability and being able to change out the blades very easily. I just love mine. When I start getting fuzzy edges, I flip over the little cutting mat strip and it's good to go again. I've tried all the Fiskar cutters, and never got consistent, good results.
I do really love the bigger SU! guillotene cutter also, but can't score with that, and it's a bit more cumbersome.
I have the fiskars 12x12 trimmer, the cutterpede, and the new MM trimmer (its 12x12 and folds in half) I have to say the MM one is my FAVORITE! The cuts are precise and smooth. I love that it folds so it fits in my Mimi tote. It was 50.00 at AC Moore's but with my 50% off coupon 25.00 wasn't bad at all and totally worth the money. HTH :-)
There is a locking washer you can get for the Fiskars 12x12. It seems to work okay, but the nth of a degree that the paper is off by doesn't seem to be that crucial. Also, I was told by Fiskar's CS that when make a cut push down and in. I'm not a perfectionist, so again, the nth degree isn't something that bothers me. I thought about getting a Carl's, even the Create-a-Cut. But the Create-A-Cut reviews aren't to my satisfaction. And Aaron Brothers has a 40% off coupon for the Carl's. I weighed my options and if I go buy a new blade and maybe the plastic bar, or just one or the other, then I would have money for other stamping toys...hmmm...I think I'll keep my Fiskars and get the replacement parts. I've used it this long, may as well go a little longer! I bought my Fiskars at Costco. The only thing I like better about the Carl than the Fiskars is the ease of changing blades. Happy paper cutting!
I just bought the cricut trimmer which came with a scoring blade, and it was only $9. Then, I found a tonic cutter which is also similar to the fiskars and it was under $20, so I've got two cutters to try out. I'll let you all know how they cut.
I said I wasn't going to buy it, but I have to say I love the new SU cutter that is in the 06/07 catty for about $39(?). I agree with the probems with the Fiskar cutters below. My paper, especially Whisper White or Vellum, was shredding even with a new blade, cleaning out the track, etc. Also, blades and scoring blades were popping off, and i'd lose them, or they would crack and break part of the way off. I love this new cutter. The handle and extension to make it 12 x 12 click into the bottom, and then you can carry it by the indented finger handle. It's surprisingly light, and I carry it around just like a small Fiskar. It cuts a sharp edge even on vellum. I use the scoring blade on our new four and one tool and score the paper in the grooves of this cutter. The measurements are easy to read, and it's also big enough to use as a small worktable in your lap.
__________________ My plagarized motto: Don't take a single minute of life for granted. Life really CAN change in an instant. I know--it happened to me. --CheriBaby
There is a locking washer you can get for the Fiskars 12x12. It seems to work okay, but the nth of a degree that the paper is off by doesn't seem to be that crucial. Also, I was told by Fiskar's CS that when make a cut push down and in. I'm not a perfectionist, so again, the nth degree isn't something that bothers me. I thought about getting a Carl's, even the Create-a-Cut. But the Create-A-Cut reviews aren't to my satisfaction. And Aaron Brothers has a 40% off coupon for the Carl's. I weighed my options and if I go buy a new blade and maybe the plastic bar, or just one or the other, then I would have money for other stamping toys...hmmm...I think I'll keep my Fiskars and get the replacement parts. I've used it this long, may as well go a little longer! I bought my Fiskars at Costco. The only thing I like better about the Carl than the Fiskars is the ease of changing blades. Happy paper cutting!
I recently went to a card making party where I was able to use the SU personal paper trimmer. Previous to this, I had purchased new blades for my Fiskars rotary trimmer, but somehow I just wasn't satisfied, especially after I had seen the Carl paper trimmer at Aaron Brothers. After the card making party, I decided to return the blades and get a Fiskars PPT. But when I went to that area, I saw the Carl PPT and the price difference so I bought the Carl along with some decorative blades. I absolutely love it and here's why:
1) the blades are simple and easy to remove and replace with a different blade
2) it has about 11 different blades available in different designs
3) it's less that Fiskars
4) if I don't like it, I can return it in 30 days
5) it's small enough and light enough for easy transportation and storage
The Fiskars PPT is nice because there is a straight blade and a scoring blade available. So I may get that one as well. Stay tuned...
I love my Carls, but thanks for telling me it had decorative blades! Didn't even know that, because we put in a group order, and someone else did it. We got a group discount directly from the manufacturer. The only thing is that it doesn't have the scoring blade. Darn, wish I had waited for the other one you mentioned now!!
__________________ My plagarized motto: Don't take a single minute of life for granted. Life really CAN change in an instant. I know--it happened to me. --CheriBaby
I just tossed my Cricut cutter... piece of JUNK!! at first it seemed promising, but after less than a week, it started cutting crooked and shredding my paper :( and it's such a cute color... also have the fiskars tabletop rotary which I like a lot for BIG cutting jobs - just takes up too much room!!! am eyeing the Marvy paper trimming buddy still
One could say, I'm a tough nut to crack or I am such a dicatomy!
I tried going to the Carl's, I really did. I bought it, brought it home, cut some cardstock with it, thought I was happy, got up the next day, cut some cardstock with it, it cut crooked and I was very unhappy! :twisted: So, I returned it, went to Joann's (which I have a love/hate relationship with) and priced the replacement pieces to my rotary Fiskars. Then I went to Michael's (another love/hate relationship) and found the items for about $4 less! I bought the pieces, brought them home and am finally finally (knock on wood!):rolleyes: content!
Sometimes change is good, other times it's just better to stick with what you have and drive on.
BTW - the Carl's does have a scoring blade available.
I like using the Tonic Studios V Blade Trimmer. It's reasonable in price and the replacement blades are also reasonable. I purchased mine from stampingcottage.com
I like using the Tonic Studios V Blade Trimmer. It's reasonable in price and the replacement blades are also reasonable. I purchased mine from stampingcottage.com
I just found that Tonic cutter and bought one myself! I know, I'm going overboard buying trimmers, but the ones I've bought so far are not expensive.
I don't want a guillotine or a rotary because my arm gets tired, or it's awkward to use when I'm seated. I like the little blade because it's the easiest to use.
If I'm not totally thrilled with the tonic cutter, there is one more cutter I saw at AC Moore that at one time was on sale for less than $10. It's by Provo Craft and is pink and green and has the blade and scorer like the fiskars and tonic one mentioned above. Not a guillotine.
I've found (because someone here shared this hint) that if I put a piece of scrap paper underneath the sheet I'm cutting, the Fiskars cuts cleanly. It's a little bit slower to do it this way, but my blades last so much longer and I don't have to trim the edges of my paper anymore. You might want to try it.
For portability I really like the Creative Memories small guillotine trimmer and the 12" trimmer. Easy to carry around and light. Most importantly - both cut straight!!!
Favorite portable trimmer
My pick
I love my Carls
