Thanks for visiting Craft Critique! If you've come here from a
search engine or from a direct link, you might be missing out
on more content! Please visit CraftCritique.com. And for more amazing content such as projects, artist interviews and more, sign up for our Monthly Newsletter.
Reported by Julie Campbell
I am always drawn to whatever product is new and fresh on the market. I see an ad in a magazine for a new type of cereal, and somehow it makes its way into my cart on my next shopping trip. This "personality trait" also follows me in the crafting world. There are, however, a few products and tools that have stood the test of time and are not easily replaced by the newest gadgets on the venue. One of these tried-and-true products is my Fiskars Paper Trimmer.I purchased my paper trimmer about five years ago when I really started to get interested in paper crafting. I went to my local Michaels store and purchased it with my 40% off coupon (originally around $50). You can still find this trimmer at most craft and hobby stores or at Amazon.com.
There are several reasons why I love this trimmer.
* It has a full 12" cut length. (I didn't want to get a separate trimmer later for my large scrapbooking paper.)
* It produces a consistent straight cut.
* You can cut several pieces of card stock at once.
* You can make very narrow and precise cuts without fraying card stock.
* Blades are easily replaced and are inexpensive.
* Additional decorative blades are available (scoring blades, perforating blades, various decorative blades)
There are a few drawbacks to this product. Because the trimmer is made to hold paper up to 12", it is really beneficial to have room on your tabletop to hold it. For those of you who are limited on space, the trimmer is very lightweight and can be stored easily. Also, you will need to periodically change the cutting blade. I try to change mine about once a year. I have found that if my blade seems to not cut as easily, sometimes the cutting strip needs to be rotated. The cutting strip is the four sided removable/replaceable strip that the rotary blade cuts against. Because it is four sided, you can get a lot of use out of this strip before it needs to be replaced.
I'm somewhat embarrassed to say that even though I have always had good results with this paper trimmer, I was curious about other "newer" styles of trimmers and recently purchased the Making Memories trimmer with the self-sharpening blade. Although I read several good reviews about this trimmer, I found that I could not recreate the straight, precise cuts that I was use to with the Fiskars Rotary Paper Trimmer.
Finally, I thought I would leave you with a card I recently created using my Fiskars paper trimmer. Notice how straight and precise I was able to create layers and borders for this project. I encourage you to try out this tried-and-true product for yourself!
13 Comments:
Congrats on your first CC article, Julie! You're a great addition to the team (if the fact that I'm thinking hard about a new paper trimmer now is anything to show for it... :) ) Great job, and I'll check back often to see your reviews!
Yay! I just got a 12" Fiskars Rotary trimmer after hearing about it on Fiskateers. I LOVE it! It cuts straight and true...is light weight, and takes 12" easily...how cool is that?
Great article Julie! :o)
I've been researching for about 6 mos. for a new trimmer. I was pretty much sold on this trimmer and now you've clinched it. I have a 50% off for Michael's-so away I go. Thanks for the very detailed and informative review.
I got this around the same time as you, Julie! I don't use this near as much as my smaller Fiskars trimmer, mostly because of the space needed for when I lug this trimmer out. I got it with the intention of cutting multiple pieces of cs at a time, and I can only cut 3 sheets (SU's 80#) at once, which is not enough for me. But it still saves lots of time as opposed to cutting each sheet one at a time!! So maybe I should look into a guillotine?
Thank you for finally reviewing something I actually have in my craft room! I have had this cutter since it was introduced (about 10 years ago) and still love it. You can buy replacement blades almost anywhere. I bought a small Carl cutter while my stuff was in storage and I like it too, but not as much as the "big" Fiskars. Thanks again
Great article! I feel exactly the same as you. I love my old fiskars trimmer. My new MM trimmer stinks. I even got MM to replace it and it still doesn't satisfy me. Fiskars has been in the cutting business years and I guess they know how to do it right.
I have this trimmer too and I love it! I totally agree with your review, it's one of the best!
Julie I really enjoyed reading your point of view on this cutter. I too have had one for ages and up until recently it was my beloved go-to cutter.
BUT I'm embarassed to say that I was always looking for an alternative - embarassed because you would not believe how many trimmers I accumulated in the process. Eventually I found the Tonic Guillitine 12 inch Table Top cutter. It gave me the sharpness of cuts that I had with the Fiskars Rotary and the ability to cut multiple sheets as well. But in addition it gave me portability. When you take the extended ruler and the handle off (stores underneath) it has a smaller footprint than the Fiskars Rotary. Now this is the one I carry around with me and use more often. There was a time when I didn't think I'd ever find a better trimmer than my Fiskars Rotary cutter but the TONIC sold me!
I have to agree that the Fiskars rotary paper trimmer rocks! I bought it 4 or 5 years ago at Costco for about $25. I love it! I have only replaced the blade once in that time, and have never replaced the strip! I think I should now. Great review! Thanks
Deena
Great review Julie.
I too have this trimmer - bought at Costco years ago.
Haven't changed the blade or the bar yet yikes - I think it's time....
I have the slightly older style of this cutter and looooove it. It's fabulous and straight and easy to move when I need to cut in the living room. Great article!!
I agree completely with Susan. I bought the MM trimmer and it was wonderful...until it started breaking. The design is terrible and I have had to replace the plastic guide twice already. Guess what-it broke again when I tried to replace the part. So this is #3. It is heavy, and even though it folds in half, it is still too big for crops. The added height when it is folded makes it awkward. I have to stand up to use it. So I bought a Carl trimmer and it is just OK. It is inconsistent and has a blade that you have to press down on. It is a bizarre design and it is going back tomorrow. I am going down to Michael's tomorrow to buy a Fiskars trimmer with my 50% off coupon. They are, and always have been the best in the business in anything involving cutting and trimmers. I love their border punches as well. As far as MM, their products for cutting and trimming are overpriced and disappointing, to say the least. Just ask anyone who owns a Slice.
Do you know how it does with cutting photos? Does it take practice to cut well with it?
Post a Comment