Top 5 Rotary Cutters Every Quilter Needs – Pros, Cons, & Safety Tips!

I could not get the hang of the Martelli cutter. My cuts were anything but straight. To me, it was an accident waiting to happen in my sewing studio. Ask me how I know! Repeat offender here 🖐️

Quilter's Select cutter - The aspect of having to twist the wrist to tap the blade cover on the mat could cause problems with someone that has carpal tunnel or or other wrist problems. If you use a rotary cutter with both hands (as I do) if it's setup for the right hand the blade guard would be sticking out if you used it with the left hand, preventing the blade from touching the cutting mat.

Martelli cutter - The further the cutter was pushed forward, the easier it was for the outside of the handle to droop down, meaning the cutter would veer away from the ruler. It's not ambidextrous. I'd get partial cuts because I'd left the blade guard on it again so the cut didn't start until the blade guard had been pushed back by the cutting action. I had to learn to start cutting about an inch before the fabric so the rubber on the blade guard would catch on the cutting mat and be pushed back revealing the blade edge before it got to the fabric - then have to remember to put the blade guard back in place. And I didn't like having my finger on top of the cutter because it prevented me from seeing exactly where I was cutting. Yes, changing the blade is a pain and the cutter collects fuzz like you wouldn't believe! You may have to remove the blade to un-fuzz it even if the blade doesn't need changing. Although it does give a lot of control, this is not my favorite cutter.

Olfa - a great one even if you have to manually flip the blade guard in and out. I actually put my thumb where your index finger is supposed to go to apply more pressure.

Olfa Ergonomic - my favorite, and it's the safest one. Take a photo of how it's setup before you change the blade so you can see how it goes back together. It hurts my rheumatoid arthitic hands the least.

I have only ever used Olfa cutters so it was interesting to hear your views on some different brands.

Famore released one last year with ball bearings. Makes it run so much easier! Comparable pricing too. Makes my olfa cutter obsolete!!

I love my Martelli cutter! As soon as I tried it, I haven't used anything else since! I have not used Martelli blades and have had no issues, and I have had mine for many years.

Great views!
I have the creative grids cutter similar to the QS one what do you think about it?

Watching replay. Thank you for the information.

Greatg

I have 2 that I absolutely love. I love my Olfa (just the standard). I've had it for years and it's the one that I take everywhere and keep it at home. I'm so used to it!! Then recently, at a retreat, I was asked to try the Missouri Star rotary cutter. I fell in love with it. It cuts with so much ease. I was told the reason it cuts with ease was because it actually has ball bearings in it. So I had to buy me one. I do absolutely love it. That has become my main cutter when I cut fabric. I have tried all but the red one you have and I really don't like them. The QS one was a hit at my retreat. But I couldn't get used to closing it and ended up cutting myself (ever so slight). But for ME?? I'll stick with the Olfa Standard and the MS rotary cutters. That's just me. But thank you for explaining a few things with the other cutters!! And thank you for all that you do to make my life so much easier

I don't feel that you gave the basic Olfa rotary cutter the attention it deserves. You seemed to push it to the side. Just because it's cheaper doesn't mean it isn't good. I have one that I have had for years and it works great. I don't like to use them at all but when I do that's the one that I use. I'm an old fashioned quilter who uses rulers and scissors to cut my fabric.

thank you so much for this review-i appreciate both the pro & con-how about comparing rotary blades? Thank you again!

I love my Martelli rotary cutter. It's very easy to open. Just roll it across the cutting mat. As for changing the blade. It's fast and easy. As for "you can only use their blades on, it" isn't true. I bought the titanium blades from Madam Sew when on sale. I use those. And they last longer than the ones from Martelli. I have several other rotary cutters that I use just for paper.

I have the Quilter's Select and there's something about the weight that really feels good in my hand. The button makes it easy to open and close it. It's my all-time favorite!

I love my Martelli cutter. I use my Olfa cutter when I make bags to save my blades, but I might get a Quilter's Select cutter for my bags. The extra weight might be nice.

Saw the tag line and thought "Who actually needs five cutters?". Then counted mine. Nevermind.

I've been a QS girl ever since I tried it! I remember recommending it to you way back when. I love the weight, the ease of blade-changing, and the ease of putting the blade out and then back in. 🧝‍♀

I prefer the Olfa Ergonomic rotary cutter, 18mm, 45 mm, 60 mm. Thanks for a fair review!!!

lol Fiskars here but I am a newbie...

I stopped using the Olfa because I would constantly brush that button and close the blade. Replacing the blade was a pain. Fiskars has always been my favorite.
The MSQ cutter…I wonder if the packaging/instructions pointed out what you discovered about having to turn the knobs in opposite directions to properly tighten the blade. That would have made me crazy so kudos to you and your husband for figuring that out!

Mary, I was introduced to the Martelli cutter by a Martelli rep at a local quilt show. She showed me the proper way to,hold the cutter AND to engage the blade. You simply bump the blade area on the cutting board and roll it. The blade automatically engages. To cover the blade, simply use your middle finger to flip the red blade dial back. It’s a very simple one-handed operation. Also, I use both Cricut and Missouri Star blades in my cutter with no problem at all.

My Martelli cutter doesn't require moving that red thing. Just roll the blade on the mat first and the blade will open. I got mine at a quilt show and was shown this by the sales staff.

🎉❤

I tried the LDH cutter and I really like it. I finally found one to replace my absolute favorite - my ancient Gingher cutter. Now that’s one I would love to see come back!

Love my Martell notary cutter

I would suggest that anyone wanting to use a Martelli cutter should go on line to the Martelli site and watch them demo that cutter.

Drop one on your toe
..and you will know which one to use ... just ask me how I know!!!
Blood is not a quilt embellishment

The only I’ve ever had is the Olfa ergonomic. I love it because when I let go of it I know the blade isn’t exposed. I “get busy” and fear I won’t remember to flip that button to close the cutter. We’re all different though so know yourself and buy what works for you!

The Missouri Star rotary cutter is made by Famore. Your local quilt shop can order the Famore cutters. The ball bearings make pushing the blade through fabric a breeze. I like to let friends push any other rotary cutter (with the blade out) across a cutting mat and then try the Famore. They always have an amazed look on their faces! There is no drag on the blade because of the ball bearings. I have to believe that lack of resistance within the cutter will result in less fatigue.

My favorite rotary cutter is the Omnigrid Pressure Sensitive Safety Rotary Cutter.

New blades often come in stacks inside a plastic container. They are stuck together because of the oil they are coated with. I wish someone would demonstrate how to safely separate and handle them. I’ve used tweezers and forceps to avoid cutting my fingers, but it’s awkward.

I'm a lefty, but I can cut with either hand. I use the basic Olfa cutter because I can pick it up and use it with either hand. I don't love the slider for opening and closing the blade though. The Missouri Star cutter looks interesting!

Thank you Mary.

My favorite is the KAI. The blade is always covered until you are pushing down on it, it can be locked, but best is it can be used in either hand, which is great because I am ambidextrous.

When my Martello was new I loved it. It was so easy on my wrist, easy to see my cutting area, and the safety cutting cover is cool. Cons, the blade is hard to change, it’s expensive, and a piece inside broke off without a lot of stresss. Very disappointing.

Just watched video, informative. I still love my Fiskars (about 10 years old) that you have to grip to get the blade out and when you release the blade is covered. It is similar to the trigger one they have now. I recently purchased one from MSQ with the ball bearings, it is nice. Only drawback seems like the opening and closing is backward. Just have to get used to it

I have always used the ergonomic ones...like on the far right of your board. I like that it closes itself! Love the 60mm size.

Great informative reviews! Thanks

Mary, your research is so in depth and your newsletters are so informative. So, this brings me to wooden clappers for pressing seams/blocks. What is the correct use of them and why that shape with a groove on the side? How long do you leave it on the block? Do you have to flip the clapper for the next use? Do you use them on wool pressing mats, or any surface is okay? Can you use it sideways? Will you get a better press if you pile on more than one clapper on the block? How many clappers should I have? What is the best length? I saw a clear acrylic clapper on Amazon, will it work? Is the type of wood important? Who invented clappers for pressing?

I have seen videos of people using clappers, but are using them different ways. So, what is the best practice for pressing and clapping?

I use a Kai and like it. No buttons to push. Opens and closes when you start and stop cutting.

go to Martelli and learn how to use cutter!

I purchased the Martelli after trying a bunch of others. I love the Martelli. I can cut many pieces and my hand doesn’t get cramped or tired. I made a wall hanging that used only 2 1/2” squares over 400 and I cut them all in one sitting. I did notice when it was brand new it was very stiff and tight so I took it apart and put it back together and it's much better.

The Missouri Star cutter also has ball bearings

Wobbling blades is my pet peeve. That is why I need a new one.

The ones with the washers are annoying

Hi, which of these cutters do you recommend for cutting sticky boards? Thank you Angela

I’m sitting here watching your video with my headphones on. Suddenly I hear a major boom, I remove the headphones and look around to find the source of the noise. Can’t find it so back to the video. It happened again, like a sonic boom! So loud, so I removed the headphones and looked around, again, no clue where the noise is from. It sounds like something big fell, or something hit the house, etc. A big noise. So now I listen without the headphones and discover the boom is coming from the video and it happens when you change to a different cutter! Thank goodness it was that, not something serious.

I have a Fiskars and I'm frustrated. The nut keeps coming undone. I will try your tip of tightening both the "orange thing" on one side and the nut on the other. The blades also don't seem to last very long. But I'm just getting started in my quilting venture. I don't seem to be able to get through an entire project before I have to change blades.

I have a hand injury that causes any pressure to be uncomfortable, and it has prevented me from sewing because of the pressure in cutting. Heavy things are also difficult. Do you think the Quilter's Select would help? I am having to press so hard with my Olfa, and it still skips. Even with a new blade! I bought the QS cutting mat, and I also just bought the Stripology XL. So, with that info, what would you choose? PS I don't want to have to buy only one kind of blade, I have still have a lot of blades.

Very impressed with the quality and depth of the review that only a regular user of the rotary can provide. Thanks for pointing out that some reviews can down rate a tool because of user error. Something to consider when doing one's own research. I learned more from your video than from other 3 i have watched so far.