Fiskars Combo Rotary Cutter Ø 45 mm & Ruler 12” x 12”, Orange/White, 1016264

I'm really pleased with this cutter, which is a perfect shape and size for my needs as a quilter. I'm terrible with a hand-held rotary cutter. I just can't seem to get the combination of angle and pressure right and end up going over fabric with partial cuts on it with scissors. It is no small cause of irritation that my Mum finds my inability highly amusing.This cutter saves me from needing to do everything by hand, or restrict my quilting to the sizes and styles of die cut shapes available for my Sizzix machine. The blade glides easily through multiple layers of fabric (six layers of cotton, jacquards and polycotton all seem to be a doddle). All I have to do is set this up on top of my cutting pad, put my fabric beneath the ruler, line the fabric up and run the cutting wheel across my fabric. Cuts start off the edge of the see-through plastic ruler, below the metal cutter. This doesn't matter at all for squares and rectangles, but for angled cuts it feels a bit disconcerting to not be able to see the start of the line for your fabric. It doesn't matter that you can't do this: as long as the fabric is fully lined up with the angle line that is visible on the ruler, and is lying flat the rest of it will match. The 12" square size is ideal for quilting, and not too large or cumbersome to store.The top of the cutter has a comfy-grip section and because this is has angles marked in both directions, has no moulded finger grips and can be used to cut when travelling in either direction, it's ideal for both left-handed users (Mum) and right handers (me).

I expected loads from this as it's fiskars, my go to cutting brand,. It is really easy to use, measures accurately and I certainly don't cut myself with it, but I have knocked off a star because it just doesn't cut through in one pass, or even two. The blade housing wobbles from side to side, is that right? and I'm flummoxed. The video on you tube I saw was the same, it kept missing, and the you tuber was just as flummoxed as I am, she thought her table was wonky, mines not, I've put a spirit level on to check it. I've seen them on TV and the presenters seem to make them work first time every time. I'm scared of rotary cutters so really want this to be the best. I tried sharpening the blade and it was a bit better. Surely fiskars have not installed blunt blades in brand new products. I can't believe that. I've ordered a new blade and will try again. If I am missing something please tell me what it is.

Very easy to use

Fiskars is a company we have dealt with before and the Combo Rotary Cutter is of the quality we have grown to expect from that company.Purchased for use in patchwork and works well

I struggled squaring my fabric but find this easier than using rulers.

Suitable for both material and paper

It took me a little while to get used to the fact that the visible ruler does not start on the edge of the fabric, but after the straight edge which houses the rotary cutter. Once I had my head around that, and the fact that although the length is more than 12" it is only possible to cut 12" of fabric without moving the ruler, I was completely bowled over by this cutter and ruler. Although it is recommended to use a specific tool for easy change of the blade, I found it was quite simple to achieve; similar principle to an ordinary rotary cutter. It is imperative that your cutting mat and the ruler are placed on a solid surface, i.e., table or desk top otherwise the cutter will not work properly. Highly recommended. Wonderful Christmas present for the patchworker in your life - or even yourself!!

I just unpacked this and used it straight away. It required very little effort and cut through the material very easily. I found it easy to keep the ruler straight without a little wobble at the end which I can get with normal rulers and a rotary cutter. It also uses rotary cutter blades so the blade will be easy to replace.