QuicKutz Silhouette/ Xyron Wishblade /Cricut Expression

An answer to an earlier post referred to the QuicKutz Silhouette and the Xyron Wishblade . I was just wondering if anyone has any personal experience with either one of these machines and their opinion on which one may be the better selection. I was planning on purchasing the Cricut Expression but since the suggestion, decided to see if I could find any additional information regarding the QuicKutz Silhouette, the Xyron Wishblade as well as the Cricut Expression. Any information, opinions, experiences, etc. will all be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

No personal experience, but just from what I have read, I am saving for a Silhouette!

They're the same machine really, along w/ the Craft Robo. You can get a great deal on the CR right now, and the company is way better to deal w/ for customer service than Xyron . I loved my WB, don't get me wrong, but Graphtec seems to be more CS driven than Xyron when it comes to software upgrades.

I LOVE MY CRICUT!!!!!! I PM'd ya!

I have a cricut and a silhouette. i ended up buying the silhouette later b/c of the cost of the cartridges (even when they were on sale) and b/c the mats didn't last long on the cricut. i love my sil. and it works great! i have found many files for different dingbats and shapes plus i have lots of free fonts. i mostly use it for titles...hth!

I love my Silhouette too! I've always had good customer service from QK, and I really like the store I got mine from (pm me if you are interested!) I love not having to buy cartridges!!

I just ordered the Wishblade and can't wait to get it next week.

I have the Wishblade . I just checked out the Silhouette, its the same, just a diffe
rent color.

Love my WB. Sometimes, its frustrating, but like learning any new program, it takes time. If you like computer stuff..and learning new programs, go for either one.

I've looked at the Cricut..those carts are expensive!

i have a shilouette and love it, i know its the same as the Wishblade . but QK customer service care is awsome. i had some issues with downloading a die, left them an email and they called the next day...ended up giving me a free download to replace the one i was having issues with....would buy them again just for the CS.

I *HAD* to have the Wishblade for everything it promise(s)(d).

I got it home....got it hooked up.....and you bet...I can do lettering with any true type font.....which ROCKS (I LOVEEEE that), but the software on CREATING things.....DANG...is that complicated. I STILL (4 months later) have yet to know how to do this. That is one expensive do-dad for lettering! LOL!

For someone like myself who is not real computer saavy....the Cricut is awesome!!

I would lurk on some online groups for users of each device for awhile before settling. I'd also seriously consider your crafting space set up. Even if I wanted to switch to a computer based cutter to avoid needing cartridges, I could not because I do not have the space to connect a cutter to my laptop.

Some things to consider:

Space available - do you want portability?

How many fonts do you envision needing?(I would like to have a few more cartridges, but I could go forever on the two font cartridges I have on the Cricut. I'll never use 500 fonts.)

How often will you need to replace blades/mats based on how often you scrapbook and the life expectancy of an item. (This is where it helps to subscribe to user's groups: I got some great ideas on extending the life of my Cricut mats there.)

Which one can you try out, either at a vendor hall, store, or friend's house? It is only after using my Cricut that I realized how much I liked punching a button and getting a cut. I think you have to consider your personality and time available to scrap just as much as money. The Cricut is probably more expensive in the long run but it matches the way I work. If I did things differently I bet I'd rather have a cartridgeless machine.

You might want to consider the warranty as well. I believe the Silhouette only has a 90 day warranty, the Wishblade has a 1 year warranty.

I have the original Cricut and am thinking about buying either the Wishblade or the silhouette. I am leaning more towards that silhouette myself though.

wow, thanks for all the great advice! i've certainly got a few things to think about now!

Because of reading this thread I decided to do my own research on the internet. I just spent the last 2 hours comparing information I could find on Wishblade , Silhouette, and Craft Robo. It seemed like the Wishblade had some cool features that the Silhouette and Craft Robo did not (along with a heftier price). This included welding an image together, the one that I thought was the coolest. I do know, however, there are programs that will do this and then you can upload that image. However, that takes another complicated step.

The one thing I noticed, too, was that the Craft Robo and the Silhouette appear to be the same machine, with the difference being the 50 images that comes with the Silhouette and (from my research), a $100 price difference, with the Silhoette being the pricier of the two.

Does anyone own the Craft Robo? How do you find its ease of use?

The Sil and the Craft Robo have the same software. I have the Silhouette and it is really easy to use, I think. Once you get used to the look and set up and where the buttons are and such.

I like the 50 shapes that came with the Silhouette. Also, what Silhouette has that the others do not is the customer service and warranties of QuicKutz . That is worth the $$ to me. I do my welding in Corel and in Photoshop. You are right, you can download Inkscape for free to do your welding. Honestly, I do not weld too often. And when I do, it is pretty easy in the other programs. Yeah, it is an extra step, and maybe that is why I tend not to do it. No big deal because I like everythign else about it.

Hope you find the machine that best works for you. I am extremely happy with my Silhouette.

• outsidechic Said:

I had a similar experience with their customer service. I love that you can call them and get a real LIVE person, no machine. And that is they email you get a live person calling you or emailing you back. That is so uncommon in ANY industry nowadays!! I had to call the phone co the other day and was stuck with this automate voice thing that was not working right--it was terrible., And I have been arguing with Snapfish's automated email response system for three weeks about some pics they say they can't process. There are no phone numbers for me to call and when a real person finally did email today, they said they can't fix my problem and kicked it over to someone else.

So my point is, QK customer service is awesome! Worth whatever money you pay because you are getting such peace of mind!!

For those of you with Silhouette. How does it work with the cutting blades? How well do they last? Is it diffcult to figure out which one to use? I'm knew to this and thinking about buying. THanks for the advice.
JoanJ

Anyone considering the Silhouette ---- it is supposed to be the Today's Special Value on QVC for Tues. Aug.14.

oooohhh, thanks for the tip! i will definitely check that out!

How often do you have to replace the cutting mat/blades for the Silhoutte? How much do they cost?

I love my Craft Robo. The Customer Service is top! Also, You can find many useful templates and lovely people on UKScrappers. I love cutting words and shapes. I have also made some great cards. Still trying to discover everything it can do.

I'm not sure what model is available in USA, but I believe they are coming soon with a new model and it can weld words. I know mine can CC200-20(European).

i did just purchase the silhouette today on QVC, was the TS...i would love a cricut, but the expense of the cartridges is what prompted me to go for this machine. I am a true font junkie and that was a great selling point for me...

I also just bought the silhoute from QVC. My sister ordered hers a few hours after I did and they told her there is now a 45 day waiting list. So glad I got my order in early. I am a little nervous about since I am not that computer savy but, my mom has one and I figured if she can figure it out then so can I. I'm sure in a month I will posting all kinds of questions about it.

Natasha

• joanj Said:

I've had mine for a little over 5 months haven't replace them, and I use mine almost everyday.

It's very easy to use. The manual's very easy to follow and the cs is awesome. hth

• theboydbunch Said:

I'm on my 2nd mat, changed into it after about 4months of cutting. The mat's about $24 for a pk of 2, and you can usually get them on sale.

As mentioned on my other post, I have not change my blades and have had mine for over 5 months. The replacement blades cost about $45, and like the mats you can always catch a sale.

HTH

Thanks!

I think mine from QVC will arrive tomorrow!
Can't wait.

Wow that was a good deal. I wish I had the money but not yet. I've been watching reviews, and still like the ease of the cricut. But my dh says go for the one on that hooks to the computer. The cost will work it self out.

Any one have anything to say about the Pazzel it seems way over priced.

fyi: the sil. can weld words just like the Wishblade . you need to download 'inkscape' for free and then you can do it. i'm sure there is a tutorial out there somewhere. i love my sil!

I also look at the warranty. The Sil offers a 90 days and Xyron offers a 1 year.

the silhouette is my first choice. i like a lot of the other machines, but this one seems to give you the most for what you pay.

3DCaliGirl, i agree with you--the pazzles machines do seem way overpriced. from what i can tell, it's pretty much the same as the craft robo or silhouette.

I love my Wishblade

• scrappingjaycee Said:

what advantages do you have with the Wishblade over the silhouette (or other die cut machines)? i have not purchased yet, so i can still change my mind...

• Connor's Mom Said:

Send me a PM. I I tried to but it didn't work.

• maroon58 Said:

yup, welding with the inkscape is very easy, you can also do free hand and shapes with it. There's tutorial at ilovecraftrobo, they also have lots of free downloads:)

I know with the silhouette you can use a ballpoint pen and draw shapes as well if you don't actually want to cut something out. Can the Wishblade do that?

Yes, it can do that.

OMG the create n cut software is so easy to use. I love welding words! I can do so many other things. I'm so addicted now.

• scrappingjaycee Said:

i tried to send you a PM, did you get it?

Here's my understanding of the diffs between SIl and Wishblade :

Silhouette:
VISTA compatible
Need other program to weld words (i.e. Inkscape, corel draw)
Will cut Adobe Illustrator files
Can directly link to download exclusive QK shapes
AWESOME, personal customer service if you ever need it
From QK, a company with a great reputation

Wishblade :
NOT Vista compatible
Can weld words (only with NEW tool)
Can trace and cut out photos (only with NEW tool)
Can't get exclusive QK shapes without breaking copyright laws

Everyhing else is pretty much the same. It is really the same basic tool with the same software justa few little changes. The biggest difference is that the Silhouette is from QK. Any time I have had a proble, I just pick up the phone and HUMAN BEING answers it and helps me. I love that. I'll weld my own words just to be able to have that kind of service!

• Jennifer Priest Said:

You can use inkscape also to weld words.
Xyron has there own Wishblade designs.
Customer service is great

WOW! ALOT OF INFO TO PROCESS BUT I TOO AM TRYING TO DO MY HOMEWORK HERE...I HAVE SEEN ON SEVERAL MESSAGE BORADS THE MENTION OF "TRUE TYPE FONTS". I AM NOT SURE WHAT THAT MEANS???? I HAVE HUNDREDS OF FONTS IN MY WORD PROGRAM... WOULD THE SILHOUETTE BE ABLE TO CUT THESE? THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

• SCGIRLZ Said:

Yes, as mentioned as long as they are true type font(ttf). If you open your font folder and hover(sp?) your mouse pointer on a font it will show the true type or right click on a font file and look in the properties it will tell you if it's ttf.

HTH
Maria

question for those of you who are computer literate... are any of these machines ethernet and network enabled? my husband asked me that this morning, and i really don't know the answer or where to find out...

I'm not for sure what his question is, but Ethernet for what I understand is so that it(source) can be connected to the internet. The silhouette itself have to be connected to the computer that is connected to an internet. Just think of it as another printer. I guess the silhouett is because to download QK dies your pc have to be connected to the internet. Hope I didn't confuse you more. I'm sure the more pc literate ladies will chime in if I'm wrong.

No you cannot network the Silhouette. Talked to hubby--he is a computer anaylst for his job. He does all my Sil installations and he said you can't do it. Sorry!!

another scrapper married to a computer geek? i love it! thanks for the answers Chlemon and Jennifer Priest. much appreciated!

LOL--yeah my poor hubby knows what Making Memories is and all that in addition to being the resident computer expert...I had to call him the other day form the LSS where I was prepping for a class. I did not have the pic of the project I was cutting for so I asked him to pull it up on the computer and he read off the things I need to cut (sugarcoated carstock, bling cardstock...). Poor guy! LOL

that's too funny! my DH is not quite as acoommodating, but we're getting there. a little more training and i'll have him right where i want him, lol...