Die Cutting System Share your Opinion

Share with me what is your favorite cutting system.Please use the following format so everyone can easily see which product you have and what you think. Thanks for playing!!!

For example:
Product Name
# of Stars (out of 5)
Your comments

Cricut Expression
5 Stars
I love the ease of using this machine. The cartridges have so many awesome shapes and fonts! There are also many places to buy the cartridges for a reasonable price.


Making Memories Slice Machine
5 Stars
Love the ease of use and the size of the machine. It's very easy to take places. Works awesome with the hands free mat. The Design Cards are really cute and a good selection of shapes and fonts.

The system I'm constantly reaching for is Coluzzle. I hate that they don't make it any more, because it is sooo easy to use, and it transports very easily because it's so compact!

I have a Cricut Expression.
five stars!
Ease of use

I also have the big shot pro
five stars
Well made and can cut ANY dies on the market!!!

Electronic: Gazelle
5 stars
The machine comes with software so you never have to buy anything else (except normal consumables like blades). I HATE the idea of spending thousands of dollars extra on cartridges, it just pisses me off. With the Gazelle I can cut anything I want to.

Manual: Sizzix Big Shot
5 stars
Does everything an electronic cutter can't (embossing folders, handmade & textured papers, etc.)


I'm happiest having both an electronic and a manual.

Electronic--Cricut Expression
4 stars
awesome machine, love the carts, but wish I could cut my own shapes sometimes, hence the 4 stars

Manual,,,,,,Bigshot
4 stars
wonderful, love it,,,,,4 stars ONLY because it doesn't cut the largest of the Grand nesties,,,,

Electronic-Cricut Expression
5 stars
easy to use, love the cartridges

Manual-Big Shot & Calibur
5 stars
love them both, can cut & emboss with any die cut or folder.

cricut expression...5 stars...love the carts...fun to use.

Cricut (baby)
5 stars
Great for small spaces. Very versatile. I only buy cartidges on sale, so I find it cost effective. I


By the way, if you pop over to the Superstore and click on the die cutting systems, you can also read reviews and see the star systems being used.

Silhouette SD
4 stars*
Only big downside is that it can only cut up to 8" wide, but soon it will be 5 stars because a new 12" machine--the Cameo--is due out in October! But the best part is no carts! Buy the designs you want from the online store or creat your own (but it does require a computer.)

Silhouette SD
5 Stars

I love the fact that I can get the designs I need one at a time, and that I can make cuts from my own scans and downloads.

slice..5 star!
all the cards and more to come cute fonts and shapes and it portable!

bigkick...5 star!
cut any die except tim big die

sidekick...5 star!
this is my baby for small dies,it has a sweet cut!

Cricut (baby) - 5 stars
Cricut Expression - 4.8 stars (only because it's bigger, heavier, and more awkward to "grab" than my baby)
Sizzix Big Kick - 4.5 stars (quick and easy to use with no electrical connection required; however, not a lot of options)

Silhouette
5 stars!
it! I love that I can cut things at the size I need them, there's a massive library of designs, and it can cut any TT font.

Quickutz Epic, Revolution and Squeeze
3.5 for the Revolution and Squeeze, 2 for Epic
Very simple to use, but dies are ridonkulously expensive and the are the size they are. I gave the Epic (which replaced the Revolution) a lower score because even though it can use bigger dies, it's not magnetic and is not as sturdy.

X-acto knife
4 stars

Cheap, easy, compact, travels well....







Seriously... I don't have any diecutting machine or system, and honestly don't feel I *need* one, or that I'm missing out at all.

You have a "point", there, Venter. When the electricity goes out it is real hard to use any of the electronic or computerized cutters by candlelight.

Carry on--

Silhouette SD
Five Stars

It perfect, no expensive cartridges, all done on computer & the designs on the site is CHEAP!!! & you can even use other downloadable designs also

Cuttlebug- 4- love that it embosses, cuts,is manual, quick, easy and portable. Dislike that it is dependent on folders/dies but most embossing systems are. Also wish it was slightly larger for bigger projects.

Cricut Expression- 3.5 - love that is cuts larger shapes, and love to use it with SCAL and MTC! Would have given it a 5 if it was still available for use with SCAL or MTC. I love the ease of finding a file on-line for free or a very small price to use. I dislike being dependent on cartridges! I do not mind buying a cartridge if it has a lot on it I will use, but not just for a few cuts.

Sharp Fiskers Scissors
5 stars
Did I mention they are sharp? Yeah, my thumb found out the hard way on Wednesday!

Craft Robo Pro
5 Stars (for performance) 4.5 stars due to the learning curve and it is not as easy as a cricut.
Love this machine. It is a commercial grade die cutter and is fantastic. If I can draw it, I can cut it.

Cuttlebug
4 stars
Although it cuts and embosses easily, the dies are getting harder and harder to find locally. A plus though is that it will cut dies from other systems.

I use a knife and scissors also They are very reliable and economical, aren't they??

Cricut E 1 star. Can't wait to sell it and buy a Black Cat Cougar. Come on people be honest. Mats don't stay sticky for very long, it's loud, you have to BUY cartridges, the blades will drag and leave cut marks on your project, the parent company is not trustworthy.... I could go on and on and on. Yes I bought mine early and used it well. I know how to work it- taught classes on the using the dang thing and now I'm ready to trade it in and get something better. I want to use what ever 3rd party software I choose to purchase and cut what I want.

For Sale: 1 used Cricut Expression and lots of carts. Make an offer.

I also have manual systems:
Sizzix: 3 stars love that it cuts anything but tough to transport.
Spell binders: 4 stars love that they emboss so easy to transport.
Quickutz: 4 stars love the ease of transport, down side you have to have lots of parts to cut the bigger dies and then it gets bulky.

Yes I love to use die cuts. Please don't beat me up because I'm no longer a Cricut fan.

• cpmemories Said:

To CP Memories: On the contrary, THANK YOU for your honesty. In my book all opinions are respected and appreciated!

• Venter25.6 Said:

I haven't been able to post over here in awhile. I laughed so hard when I read your post. Thumbs up for you. I love my Xacto knife too. I use my knife and scissors more than my die cutters lately.

Pazzles- 4 stars. I love all the functions on the machine and you can do everything with it from glass etching to needle piercing. Accessories are a bit expensive. Third party software is glitchy on the Pazzles.

Silhouette SD- 4 stars. My favorite machine. Small, compact and precise cutting. Only complaint it's made for light materials.

Cricut- 2 stars. Everything cpmemories said. It's a good cutter but PC is going backwards than forwards in keeping up with the industry. I keep moving forward so I am outgrowing the machine. I do recommend this machine quite often for people who do not want to be tied to a computer for designing. With the new machines coming out I can't guarantee if the Cricut will be a standalone cutter. A good comparison of the Cricut is a beginner sewing machine. Good to learn on until your ready to advance to a big cutter.

Cuttlebug- 3 stars. Great for embossing Nesties. Does what she needs to do and no fuss. The machine is wobbly and can pinch when using her.

BigKick or Big Shot- 5 stars. The best machine on the market. Can cut all sorts of materials, sturdy, versatile. It's a reliable machine that is easy to learn. If your a mixed media artist then this is the machine you want. The only con the dies are expensive since they are steel rule.

Scissors & X-acto knives- 10 stars. :D! Relaxing, teaches good hand eye coordination. Gives you plenty of time to think. Can leave off where you need too and pick it up later. It's the most frugal option. If you mess up the cut it's your fault and your not standing there with a ruined cut on your machine trying to figure out how it all went wrong.

Awesome! Thanks for playing!!!

Product Name: Silhouette SD
# of Stars (out of 5): 4.5 stars

I haven't had it for too long but I already love it! The designs are so easy to do. I don't even buy anything at the store you could trace any clip art and its looks amazing! I haven't even used up my $10 credit yet. However, I took off half a star for the mats. I had some trouble sticking my cardstock to the mats and it jammed. I think that it was took thick for it. I tried lighter cardstock and it worked great!

Cricut E w/ Gypsy and SCAL here! I end up using the cartridges way more than the SCAL, except for fonts. Buying carts really hasn't botherd me. I will spend the money on something scrap-related anyway, so I just try to wait for a good sale.

And secretly, in my heart, I long for an Eclips. I absolutely LOVE me some Sizzix.

• cpmemories Said:

My cricut isn't nearly as noisy as other machines I've seen,,,,my mat stays sticky for quite some time, if I prime it first, AND I know how to re-sticky it,,,my blade does not "drag"??? Never heard of this,,,,

each to her own, and I am not beating you up for your opinion (really!!!),,,I just wanted to point out that I have either not had those issues with it,,,,,,or the small issues I HAVE had are minor compared to the advantages,,,,,

mats, blades, housings, etc, are all easily found at local stores,,,,,I don't have to order anything,,,,,

• CommaHolly Said:

Gotta agree with Holly. I haven't had those issues either with my cricut.

My favorite cutters - and I own and/or used many kinds

Cricut Expression - 4.8 stars...not perfect but pretty close. (with the Gypsy of course)

Big Shot - 5 stars -Great manual cutter a workshorse and reliable. I hope to one day upgrade to a big shot pro

• slyn11 Said:

Agree with all of the above and I like my grand Calibur. If I had to do over I would have bought the Big shot pro instead.

So many options.... I think I am leaning towards the Sizzix Big Shot Pro or the silhoute. The pro is pricey though but I guess you can use many of the dies out in the market. The silhoute, sounds great but - do you know how it is when you purchase a new printer, a simple printer and all you need to do is connect the printer to the PC and install the software and 5 hours later you are still trying to do it and all you get is error mesagges?? and you get more frustrated by the second because installing a printer was suposed to be a simple task??......I'm afraid that could be me trying to install a silhoute

I have the Cricut E but want to get the Silhouette. My friend says I don't need it but I sure do want it. LOL

You may want to hold off on the Silhouette SD. Robo Craft (Silhouette) is coming out with the new Cameo. It's a 12-inch machine with additional pressure for thicker cardstock. Wonder if Jill will be carrying it? I think she may since the SD is offered. The release date of the new Cameo is in October. Don't know the exact date. I've read it will be toward the end.

I love mine for the "print 'n cut" feature. It's flawless, cuts them out perfectly every time. Even cuts the most detailed "pint 'n cut's" perfectly. I don't even mind the 8.5, since it would be rare to need a "print 'n cut" twelve inches, for me anyway.