What straight edge cutter do you think is the best???

Hey Everyone!!

I am considering investing in a new straight edge cutter. What are you all using, and what do you like. I have seen the Falcon and the Karl, but never used them. Want to get ya'll's opinion before I spend the bucks.

Help!!!

Thanks!!
Nikki

i can tell you which one not to get. i have the fiskars 12" cutter and i'm a little disappointed. it's really not that bad, but you have to be careful because if you move your hand too much as you move the blade, you'll get crooked cuts. i went ahead and bought the falcon the other day from here so we'll have to see how it does, but i've heard really good things about the carl as well except it's a little more pricey than the others. it may be worht it though. HTH

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Melissa-The Small and Meek

There's a new one coming out by the same company that makes cutter bee scissors. It has a measuring arm (which I love with my fiskars) and I think it is a rotary blade. Suppose to be awesome so I'll have to replace my 12" fiskars I'm sure. I see the scrapbook superstore has cutter bee scissors so maybe they'll get the trimmers too.

[This message has been edited by Pat P (edited 02-21-2003).]

I have the Falcon cutter and I LOVE it. It handles almost any size of paper. The smaller ones are great for cropping photos, but if you need to trim 12 x 12 paper you will want one of the larger ones. My trimmer was my first investment in scrapbooking. The other great part about it is that it uses single edged razor blades. These are incredibly inexpensive and very easy to find.

I have the Fiskars cutter, too....and I am also disappointed in it for the same reason....the cut is uneven if you move your hand just a little bit. But, I just got it and don't want to invest in another right now. I just take my time and hold to one side or the other of the edge so that the blade doesn't move.

so that's what I'm doing wrong on my Fiskars! I like the Fiskars...aside from the crooked cuts. Now that I know that I'll have to be more careful.

Personally, I am really fond of my Fiskars. You do have to make sure you hold the guide down firmly so that it cuts straight. I love how compact it is, and easy to slip into stuff when I go to a crop.

I also have a Falcon cutter, and really like it as well. Here again, you have to make sure you hold the paper down well, or you can get a crooked cut. It is wonderful for cutting frames, and extra long, so you can cut up to 14 inches. Also, it just takes regular straight edge razor blades for the cutting edge, which are inexpensive and easy to find. The only downsides I have found are that it doesn't have the swing out measuring arm, and it isn't as easy to take places. Oh, and don't try to cut cardboard with it. It doesn't handle that very well!! LOL

I have a friend who has a scrapbooking store in Beverly Hills. She went to the HIA and came home with the news that Fiskars has a new personal cutter coming out to replace the one they have now. It is supposed to be more true for cutting straight.

I, being a dinosaur still depend on my self healing mat, a clear ruler, and a craft knife to always give me the straightest cuts.

Nancy

I am getting the new personal 12" rotary Carl Cutter with the fold out arm. I think it is model number PRT-100. I have heard good things about it. I have the larger 12" talbetop cutter that Carl makes and like that a lot. The new personal trimmer uses the same blades.

-Janice

I like the Fikars 12X12 cutter because of its ease and portability. My first one was the 81/2 X 11 one, boy was that a mistake to purchase. I had it for years, but even though I did 81/2 X 11 pages, you still can't cut the paper lengthwise. I also have the Fiskars rotary cutter and I love it. That's the really large one made for serious cutting. You can purchase several types of blades to use, so that makes it kind of neat. You can find those at Michaels or Costco which is where I purchased mine.

I have stopped using anything except my CM Cutting System straight edge to cut paper. It has two curved edges you can use as well, but I use the straight side most of the time. I used to use a Fiskars cutter, but the CM one is so easy and I take the Cutting System everywhere I go to crop anyway so it's always handy. smiles, Myssi

I have both the fiskars and Karl and I think they both have the same problem not cutting straight edges but.... I like the fiskars for the portability and if I take my time I can usually get straight cuts I also have a scoring blade on it to make cards or whatever else needs scored. Now I got the Karl for the fact that I can change the blades and I like it cause I can see the marks for positioning on it so much better. So I like and dislike them both, will talk to my lss and see if they are going to get the new one in and see if it is any better.

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GraniApple
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Been there done that!

I use a giant maple paper guillotine...it's REALLY big, and not portable at all, but it is self sharpening and cuts wonderfully. Being 15 x 15 helps too!

I just bought a little DC 100 Carl trimmer at Staples last weekend. I wanted something for crops. I had seen this same trimmer at LSS and craft shops for $29.99. I got mine for $9.99, not even on sale!!! I like how it cuts, I just wish there was a little ruler that stuck out from the side, like the Fiskars has.

I also use the Creative Memories cutting system. Plus there personal trimmer for smaller items. It is an item I couldn't live without. Cuts straigt lines wavy lines circles ovals everything. Love it

Staples has a 12"Carl cutter, model RT-200, which is regularly 29.99, on sale for 24.94. There is also a $10 rebate if you purchase it by March 1st. It looks like a pretty good model; you can see it on the staples.com website.

I'm one of those fiskar users!
I love it because of the measuring arm and the portablity (is that a word??). When I first got it, I did have problems with crooked cuts, but after a little practice, figured out it was mostly user error. Keeping a sharp blade, and using light pressure really makes a differance.
I've used a carl before and it's just so dang bulky, I hated it. I've never used a falcon.