Wishblade or Silhouette

I wanted to get some thoughts about digital cutters. I found a good deal on the QuicKutz Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter but really want a wishblade.

Anyone got some feedback?

the original silhouette and the wishblade are the same machine. there are differences in software only. the new silhouette can work off of SD cards, making it even more portable than the original one.

I've had a silhouette for years and love it.

To be honest with you, I bought the WBlade and found it rather cumbersome! I later bought the Cricut and found that I can't stop using it!

I also have a Wishblade that I never use because I don't have room to leave it set up. I did like it but from what I have seen the cricut seems to be easier

oh and I am also having trouble finding new files for my wishblade

I'd go with the Sil. The updates that you download from Quickutz online are free and very useful. The customer service is really good too IMO.
They work the same way, they're the same machine (not the SD)after all. It's just a difference in software and company.

I found the QuicKutz Silhouette Digital Craft Cutter for $185 on another website and really considering it! Especially if you can "welt" the letters together. I have a slice which is great for portability but I wanted something that I could have more variety with.

I have the original Silhouette...and I LOVE it! I cut something for almost every layout I do now! Very versatile, and can weld letters. The only difference in the original Silhouette and the SD Silhouette....the SD version is portable - you can use it by downloading files to the SD card and it doesn't have to be connected to the computer.

I've seen the Cricut in action and I know that the cartridges are expensive...and the files for the Silhouette are $1.99 each. You don't have to buy a whole cartridge just for one design. You can cut almost any font on your computer too. AND...there are free gsd files (what the Silhouette uses) all over the internet!

Definitely the Silhouette!!!

Silhouette; I have the original as well; very portable, but I would by the SD if making the purchase all over again. There is a small learning curve with the Sil (depending on your comfort level with computers and following directions) but once you know how to use it, the endless supplies of FREE FONTS on the internet will never leave you wanting for title designs. I don't use mine for die cuts, but the ease in finding those is just as great!

so where are all these free gsd files - cause that is what the wishblade uses.

Go to the Wishblade forum here, there are tons posted as well as sites that offer free files.

There are thousands of free files.

I have the original Silhouette and love it!!! It is not too big, it cuts beautifully, over 50 starter shapes came with the program, many more free files can be found, great price, great customer service!!

So would you ladies reccommend getting a silhouette instead of a cricut? I want to get one of these machines with my income tax money, but haven't decided. Can you cut die cuts like the ones cricut has with a silhouette? How large can you cut with one of these?

• Ladybing Tammy Said:

Both the wishblade and silhouette use the same GSD files, I love the silhouette and the new drivers make it much easier to weld/mat letters. The silhouette has a half of special for a one yr subsription for unlimited downloads but I have found thousands of free ones on the yahoo groups. Good luck I love mine

I love my original Silho! I haven't purchased any designs yet, but I have hundreds and hundreds that I've downloaded for free. Oh, and the fact that it cuts any true type font is wonderful.


Desi - as for the Cricut vs. Silho, the Silho doesn't use cartridges like the Cricut does, but it does require a computer. You find/create images on the computer and cut those out. It cuts 8.25" wide I think it is.

Hrm. I do like the idea of not having to buy cartridges. I can't think of anything I'd need larger than 8.25 either. This may be something to think about!

• Here Kitty Said:

Thanks, I'll have to check it out

• CorrieW Said:

Thanks Corrie - good to know.

Thanks for all the feedback ladies! I like the fact that you mentioned free stuff online. I ordered the Silhouette, so I'm pretty excited!!!!

Got my new silhouette in the mail today! I'm in !

Yeah! Have fun! And be sure to check out the wishblade forum here for lots of great tips and free files.

I have the original Silhouette and while I love being able to do all the cool stuff I have some questions. Anyone have ideas/advice on how to have the paper not tear while doing a design? I usually cut textured cardstock and I don't know if the setting I"m using is right. Help?!
I'm pretty new to posting and I found this thread and hopefully will get the advice I desparately need!!!

what settings are you using?

Is it too intricate of a design? Is your mat sticky enough (so the paper stays put)? Is your blade still sharp?

If I'm trying to cut textured (like linen) cardstock, I use the thick cardstock option from the paper list, the color blade it tells me to, and I slow down the cutting. It's done this on both a brand new mat & the old one. I've gotten to where I mark where I start, send it thru twice to be sure it got cut, and what tears or gets ragged, I put on another piece of paper and try again. I'm sure it's not the design because I use fonts like Hurray which are big bold almost clunky. I even asked the cust serv people and had no help there.

Forgot...do you always use a mat? I've wondered what would happen if I didn't use the mat when using the textured cardstock. (BTW: the cardstock is the same as the sample packs they send with the machine only it has no adhesive on the back)

\If your paper is moving around, use blue painters tape to hold it in place. If the paper is just tearing it sounds like a setting or dull blade. I've never used textured cs with my sil. so I really have no experince to help ya. Good luck and let us know when ya get it figured out and what you did to fix the issue.

Hmm...I've used Bazzill (and other textured cs) with good luck in my Sil. I've never tried cutting w/o a mat. I do what you do...use the pink cap, set the thickness level to the max and use a slow setting (like 3). And sometimes I run it in twice to make sure it cuts all the way through too. I'm out of ideas...sorry! Did you check in the Wishblade forum here? Maybe there's some more info there?

Thanks for the ideas! I'll definitely check out the other forum.
Terry