Do I need a Circle Cutter?

I was wanting to know if everyone had a circle cutter or if they just used a template & cut a circle out by hand? I am still pretty new to all of this so I wasn't sure whether to spend the money on one or not.

For those that have circle cutter, which ones do you recommend? I've seen the Fiskars brand pretty much at every store I've looked at, but is it easy to use??? I found one at Big Lots for $7.00 but it doesn't come with the template. Do you have to have the template for it to work?

Thanks for the help!! ;-)

I love the coluzzle nested circles template (get the coluzzle blade and mat too) for the smaller circles. For bigger circles I just trace around a plate or something and cut with cutterbee scissors.

I have this one and love it!

I just use a compass and hand cut. Alternately, a template and my exacto.

Big fan of the CM cutting system here!!

There are a couple of threads on this subject in the Product Review section. Do a search on it there and you'll come up with lots of posts.

Good luck and welcome to the neighborhood!!

I love my Creative Memories custom cutting system. The self-healing mat, the 3 blades, the circles and ovals - all of them are great!

They are pricey, imo, but well worth every penny. I use them all the time in my scrapbooking, and I've never regretted spending the money on them!

Before I bought them, I had a plastic template with circles on it, and had to trace and cut out with scissors. The CM system is so fast and easy!

Yeah--I think there are a lot of us CM cutting system fans out there
I also have the gem shapes and one other set, too, I think.

I echo the Creative Memory Cutting system raves!!! I'd be lost without it!

i have the Fiskars one, and hate it. you do need a template to use it. i've upgraded to the curvy cutter and like the results i get with that.

its not a tool i would get right off if your new to the game. unless of course your obsessed with cirlces and cant seem to get enough of them. using found item with tracing and cutting works (and if you never stop the sissors you cant even tell) it is a "needed" tool but more of a second or thrid generation, imo. i would first work on getting my basics and a little stash of paper going then invest.

Nope. I use dinner plates for large and bread plates for small. Use an exacto knife to trace around and you're good to go

The Creative Memories system is great! I bought it for myself, and then figured I have the Silhouette so I shouldn't need one. So I gave my CM one to my sister. BIG MISTAKE. I don't want to turn on my computer and set up my Silhouette just to cut out one circle. LOL. So I'll probably buy the CM one again. It's just so great, easy and fun!

And spending the money on the CM system is better than the frustration you'd get from one of the other cheaper cutters that don't work so well.

I have just been using a template and then hand cutting.. I am in the market for a circle cutter though.

I love the CM cutting system and would be lost without it.

it depends on how patient and/or cheap you are - I have the Creative Memories cutting system and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!
if you are going to invest in circle cutter this is the one I would recommend! but before I got mine I used plates & glasses from the house the thing that I like about it is that there are the 3 cutters so that it's easy to get perfect mats with glasses & plates, it's hard to find them graduated in size just right

I don't think you really need one. As you see there are many ways to make a circle, but some are harder than others. I have the Ek Success pink circle cutter. It only cuts up to 6 inches, but I love it. One thing about it is you need a glass mat, otherwise it tears you paper up. I love it! HTH!!

I love my Fiskars Ultra ShapeXpress cutter, and no longer reach for my Creative Memories set. I find Fiskars much faster to use and easier to store. You can use it freehand or with a template, but I recommend the template for circles. When using the template, make sure that the Fiskars logo faces up, otherwise it will make jagged cuts. You hold the Ultra ShapeXpress just like you would hold a computer mouse.

I have 2 different ones for big circles and the coluzzle nesting for smaller ones( which i believe is like the CM system) but i love my big ones - and use them ALOT! i have the Circle Scissor, i think it goes to about 6in and cuts MANY sizes down and then i have (and really like ) the Cutter Bee curvy cutter ( only have the circle one- there is also square and oval )but i believe it goes to 7 in. I think if it is in your budget definitely get one ( try to use a craft store coupon ) if not, go with the plate or lid option!! But cutting by hand takes longer and you dont get as neat of a cut - with a cutter it is just seconds per cut and they are sharp and clean!! good luck!

Can't say whether or not you need one but if you want one, I've got one to sell or trade. It's the Fiskars circle cutter. No template needed -- it's just got an adjustable slide. I've only used it twice I think. I've got a Cricut and a Cuttlebug now, so I don't really need mine anymore. PM if you're interested.

I bought the Fiskars cutter that came with a couple of templates and then purchased a couple more templates --- I HATE IT!! Maybe it is just me, but I just can NOT get the hang of using it!

i have the Fiskars cutter with the templates and once i learned how to use it i have no issues. there is a learning curve. i absolutely LOVE my curvy cutter by Ek Success ! i highly recommend it.

I have the Creative Memories cutting system and probably every template they have. I love it! I use it on practically every layout I do. It is graduated in size so you can perfectly mat pictures...even double mat them. I have tried the coluzzle, but do not like it. I cannot say enough good things about the CM set. I also did not think that they were terribly expensive. For me I have gotten enough use out of them already to pay for them several times over.