Fiskars 60-Millimeter Titanium Rotary Cutter
The Fiskars 60mm Titanium is the best rotary cutter for quilting. You can use it to cut straight or curved lines on everything from fabrics to paper and leather. It is great for sewing and quilting as well as home decor.
MORE INFOIf you are into quilting and cutting fabrics, chances are you should be using the best rotary cutter for quilting. A rotary cutter is a very versatile tool that can handle pretty much any task in terms of cutting fabric, paper, or leather. They are many used in sewing, quilting, upcyling clothing, paper crafts, and home decor. It is basically a razor blade in the shape of a wheel attached to a handle. The most basic rotary cutter everyone knows is a pizza slicer. With a ruler and a cutting mat, you can make precise cuts through multiple layers of material in both straight and curved lines. This is far superior to scissors, which could make your material turn out wobbly or crooked.
Quilting rotary cutters come in many sizes and styles. The most important feature you need to figure out is size. This is usually measured in millimeters (mm) and refers to the diameter of the circular cutting blade. Larger blades tend to be easier to slice through multiple layers of fabric. On the other hand, smaller blades can tackle curves and shapes better. The quality and sharpness of the blade is also important, so be sure to pick a quality brand here.
Next, you need to research the handles. They are usually different from one manufacturer to another, but be sure to pick one that has a good fit. You can only really know this by reading lots of reviews or sampling the product yourself. Luckily, many online vendors have a generous return policy.
Finally, make sure the rotary cutter is safe to use and has a safety latch. You don’t want a rotary cutter that will harm you or your kids, so safety is always important. And ideally, with a rotary cutter, you need to also get a cutting mat and a ruler set.
What is the Best Rotary Cutter for Quilting?
- Fiskars 60-Millimeter Titanium Rotary Cutter
- OLFA 45mm Deluxe Handle Rotary Cutter
- Gingher 45mm Rotary Cutter, Right Handed
- Clover 28mm Rotary Cutter
- P.LOTOR Rotary Cutter 45mm with Pinking Rotary Blades
Fiskars 60-Millimeter Titanium Rotary Cutter
If you want the best rotary cutter for quilting, Fiskars 60mm is our top pick. It is great for cutting into thick material such as batting, foams, and fabrics that are thick. The oversized 60mm blade is both precise and powerful. This blade also features a titanium coating that makes it extremely durable. With this coating, the blade stays extra sharp for longer periods of time.
We like how the handle has a nice soft grip. It is also ambidextrous, meaning it is suitable for both left and right handers. It feels pretty much the same, whether you use it left handed or right handed. We also like the curved shape of the handle as we found that it somehow gives a bit more leverage. For safety, theres a sliding button that can extend the blade out and contract it for safe storage.
Our only real complaint with this particular rotary cutter is that it doesn’t come with any replacement blades. You have to purchase the replacement blade separately, which is a bit annoying. Other than that, we found the Fiskars 60mm quilting rotary cutter to be a great performer and is extra sharp. Although some users say the blade is not sharp enough, we certainly didn’t feel this way when we tested it out.
OLFA 45mm Deluxe Handle Rotary Cutter
If you are looking for a middle of the road rotary cutter, the OLFA 45mm is the way to go. This is the best rotary cutter for quilting if you don’t want something too big or too small. Its standout feature is that it can accommodate specialty blades such as pinking, scallop, and wave blades. These blades are sold separately by OLFA but give your edges decoration and flare.
At 45mm, it strikes the perfect balance between cutting power and agility. 60mm blades tend to be powerful but a bit clumsy to use and don’t do well for curves. Smaller sub 20mm blades are highly accurate but don’t cut with a lot of force. We think the OLFA 45mm Deluxe Handle is a good middle ground.
The company reports that it can slice through 6 layers of cotton fabric, as well as paper, vinyl, tarp, fleece, felt, upholstery and more. The OLFA 45mm Deluxe is also loaded with features. The tungsten steel blade can be switched to either side for left and right handed use. The handle is quite beefy and definitely isn’t lacking in grip. Finally, there is a dual action safety lock which allows you to lock the blade inside the handle when not in use.
Gingher 45mm Rotary Cutter, Right Handed
For those looking for the best rotary cutter for quilting and want a premium experience, the Gingher 45mm cutter will do the job. It is priced much higher than its competitors because it just has excellent all round build quality. First of all, the 45mm rotary blade is made of the highest grade stainless steel. You will never really need to replace this blade again as it is fit for lifetime use without becoming dull. This blade is both sharp and extremely precise. Be sure to keep your fingers away!
The Gingher 45mm just has a premium feel to it. It has a cast metal handle and is beautifully craft all around. It is perfectly weight balanced and results in great feel and handling. There is also a wonderful nickel finish that just makes it look like a piece of art.
The Gingher 45mm not only looks beautiful, it is also extremely functional and loaded with excellent features. The handle is designed to be used by both left and right handers. There is also a thumb activated lock that secures the blade. And when you release the safety handle, the blade automatically retracts in a smooth seamless way.
Clover Slash 28mm Rotary Cutter
If you want the best rotary cutter with a slash blade, we highly recommend the Clover 28mm Rotary Cutter. This 28mm rotary cutter is a bit different from you standard circular cutting tools. There is a slash bar under the blade that will limit the depth at which the blade can cut. This works great for those who want to make chenille type textured fabric. It also helps you gain more precise and have more control in your cutting.
The Clover 28mm rotary cutter comes with two guides that can be swapped out. There is a straight slash cutting guide and a curved slash cutting guide which goes underneath the fabric you want to cut. With these two guides, you can cut straight and curved lines between stitching lines without tearing through base material. You can also cut between curved seams and narrow seams.
All in all, this slash rotary cutter is easier and faster than regular rotary cutters for cutting out detailed layers. The guide prevents the cutter from touching the bottom layer of fabric and helps you stay in channel. It is great for doing faux chenille and for cutting between sewing lines to make them fuzzy.
P.LOTOR Rotary Cutter 45mm with Pinking Rotary Blades
The P.LOTOR 45mm is the best rotary cutter for quilting if you want a set of unique blades. This tool is a bit different from your standard run of the mill 45mm rotary cutter. It comes with 5 replaceable blades, including two scalloped pinking blades. These scalloped pinking blades are used to make decorative designs along your cutting lines. Sure it is kind of a gimmick, but believe us, this is something the kids will love.
The pinking blades cut a bit awkwardly, but it is ok with work with once you get a hang of it. You can use it to make a sort of zig zag design on your fabrics. The 45mm blades are all made of SKS-7 steel, which means they are sharp and durable. The handle is quite comfortable to hold and is fit for both left and right handers. The blade and be placed on both left and right hand sides as well for visibility. It is structured in a way that makes it anti slip and less fatigue for your hands in the long run.
Overall, this is a pretty standard 45mm rotary cutter with the added benefit of having 2 scalloped pinking blades. There is a safety latch to protect the blade when not in use. Also, there is a hook hole at the end to hang it on the wall.
References
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotary_cutter
https://www2.fiskars.com/Products/Crafting-and-Sewing/Rotary-Cutters
