Rotary cutter & mat

What' s the best kind? I just got a large order for 17 purses. I have this month to finish them & have decided that I will go ahead & purchase a rotary cutter & mat but need them today so quick tell whats good & bad things to look for.
I know nothing about them at all except that I want the ease of not cutting with scissors. What's the difference between self healing & not? Is it worth the extra$$ ?

I like the self healing mats and think they are worth the extra money. Mats/boards without the self healing feature may dull the blades quicker.

As far as the rotary cutter, if you have a Joann Fabrics or other chain store, I would recommend going to the store and holding each of the different types of cutters they have. Figure out which one feels best to you. Tale a little time to figure out which one you like best because they can be a little expensive. Personally, I prefer the Fiskars rotarty cutter to the Olfa Cutters because it seems to work better in my hand, and there is less of a risk of cutting my fingertips.

Good luck!

I use an Olfa self healing mat.  I love it.  The one I used to use was my mom's old mat that was not self-healing, and not so good.  When they Olfa's went on sale at Joann's for 50% off + additional 10% coupon, I bought one for myself and one for her. 

I currently use a Fiskar's rotary cutter.  Haven't had a chance to use an Olfa one, but I don't have any complaints.  I'll probably buy an Olfa one some time and try it out and whichever one I like more will get to cut fabric and the other will get to cut paper.

I have an Olfa and a Gingher rotary cutter.  the Gingher is MUCH nicer in my hand.  It's also twice the price.  I recommend going down to the store and holding them to see if it's worth the extra $$ to you.

Re: Mats - just get the biggest self-healing mat that you have room for.  You'll never be unhappy to have a big mat, but you will be unhappy to have a mat that is too small!

I highly recommend a larger mat as well.  I had an 18 x 24 and it was hard to work on.  I kept on having to fold my fabric in order to cut it which results in not so accurate cuts.  I found a 23 x 35 Olfa mat and love it.  Bigger is always better in this case.  Try to find some coupons because these mats are expensive. 
I've always had Olfa rotary cutters as well and have loved them.  I haven't tried any other brand, but I think the advice of others was good.  Try them out if you can and pick your favorite.
What ever you decide, you will not regret it.  Self-healing mats and rotary cutters are an indispensable tool. I use mine with just about every sewing project. 

Thanks so much ladies! I have 2- 40% off Joann's coupons. I know they will only use 1 at a time but I'm taking dh & he can make a separate purchase for me. I knew that I wanted a bigger mat. I can't wait & I know this will make it so much easier for me. I need to upgrade!! I about fell over with this order of purses.I've never had anybody order so many at once.

I agree on buying the biggest self-healing mat possible. I had a lot of problems with the Olfa mat warping, as did my mom but my MIL's Olfa mat is fine. I got a Fiskars mat in May and so far it is fine. I liked the markings a little better on the Olfa mat but the Fiskars is marked on both sides which is nice and I find the lighter color easier on the eyes.

I have both Olfa and Fiskars cutters and I think the only difference to me is the shape. I prefer the ergonomic shape of my Fiskars but Olfa probably has that now too and mine is just old! Another great thing to get eventually is the blade sharpeners. They might seem a little pricey but I haven't bought a blade in three years now so I think it was well worth it.

Another really nice rotary cutting accessory is a clear quilt ruler. I find it useful for all kinds of cutting.

And congrats on the order!!

Ah-ha!  I finally found someone who has a blade sharpener.  I've been wanting to buy one for a while now, but wondered if they really work or if it's just something else to buy.  Since I seem to replace my blade every 2 months or so, I definitly will be getting use out of one.  Now off in search of a 40% coupon...

Thanks again Cindy!

I've always used Olfa mats and cutters and love them. I have a couple Olfa cutters and reach for my oldest one most often. For those who have warping Olfa mats, an afternoon laying on a hard flat surface in a sunbeam has always flattened them back out for me.

I'd always been about the blade sharpeners, too. Hmmmm........

JoAnn's is having a big sale this weekend.  My JoAnn's will take all the coupons I have in one transaction as long as they have different bar codes -- so I usually bring a printed one and a flyer one.  Here is a link to the coupons I received in email:

http://www.joann-mail.com/J0998MKX/coupons_only.html?r=5708_668213&i=J0998MKX012&bc1=460925057084400360100&bc2=520925557344729530400

I have a 36x24 Fiskars mat, and am thinking about getting 2 more to cover my cutting table completely.  I wonder how to put them together?  Jus with tape on the opposite sides?  I see that the sets at JoAnns have clips that clip them together, but I don't see how that would be better than tape.  Anyone have one of the BIG MATS?

Alternatively I could order a big one-piece one at cutting-mats.net but not sure I really want to do that... as those are around $150!

Go to an art supply an buy a self healing cutting mat.  They are a thicker stock and last much longer than the ones sold at the fabric stores.  When you buy a cutter...the Olfa brand is easy to find replacement blades.  The blades need to be replaced about once a month if you use the cutter on a regular basis.  Be sure to buy a protective glove for the hand holding the ruler.  Accidents happen easily with a rotary cutter...better to get in the habit of wearing a glove...instead of getting stitches.